ChupaCarter - Hardcover

Lopez, George; Calejo, Ryan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593465970 ISBN 13: 9780593465974

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2022

Synopsis

With his signature laugh-out-loud humor, world-famous comedian George Lopez launches a magical series inspired by his own colorful childhood and Latinx folklore.

In this illustrated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn’t go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
 
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra—a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage—he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?

About this title

About the Author

George Lopez's multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, standup comedy, and late-night programming. He co-created, wrote, produced, and starred in his own hit sitcom George Lopez, a groundbreaking show that was one of the few with a Hispanic star. Lopez can be seen most recently in his Netflix original comedy special, We'll Do It for Half. His autobiography Why You Crying? was a New York Times bestseller. ChupaCarter is his first book for children.

Visit him online at GeorgeLopez.com

Ryan Calejo is an award-winning author born and raised in south Florida. His critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has been featured in half a dozen state reading lists and is a two-time gold medal winner of the Florida Book Awards. 

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @RyanCalejo.

Santy Gutiérrez grew up in Vigo and now lives in Corunna (La Coruña), both seaside cities in Spain. In his career, he has won acclaim as the Best Spanish Young Editorial Cartoonist and Best Galician Caricaturist, and he founded the BAOBAB Studio Artists' Collective. His wife and son are his personal inspirations.

Follow him on Instagram @SantyGutierrez_Art.

Reviews

Gr 5 Up-Readers meet Jorge while he is sitting on his roof, stewing over how his mom sent him to live with his grandparents in New Mexico. Jorge is not looking forward to starting a new school, and his first day does not go well after he tries to help another student but finds himself on the wrong side of the principal. Later that day, Jorge ends up saving a chupacabra, Carter, from the principal after Carter saves him from almost being hit by the principal's car. The two become fast friends. Jorge gets Carter blood (chupacabras are mythical creatures known for killing livestock) and they talk about their lives. Jorge also befriends two kids at school, Liza and Ernie, and introduces them to Carter. Carter eventually has to leave because there are real monsters and principal hunting for him. This novel has humorous moments. Jorge is a kid who tends to act before he thinks, which is how he ends up living with his grandparents. He has trouble taking responsibility for his actions but is shown to have a good heart when he speaks up for Ernie and helps Carter. Jorge and his friends do not sound like typical kids, using dated vocabulary (chillax, dweeb). Jorge is fleshed out a little by the end, but most of the characters are superficial. While there is some good and gross humor, the language is a little more advanced than one would expect, which may make some scenes not land as well as they should. There are also some dated references such as Speedy Gonzales and Caspar the Friendly Ghost that intended readers might not get. VERDICT While there are funny moments in this fantasy-infused tale, this is an additional purchase.-Michelle Lettusα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593465970
• ISBN 13: 9780593465974
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Gutiérrez Santy
• Number of pages: 272