Somewhere I have a copy of the book, Twin Cities by Joe Pimienta. Do I know where it is? Not a chance! Books have a habit of finding safe spots that are so safe even I don’t know where they are! Therefore, thank goodness for my local library.
I’m thinking that two readings for adults would be a good idea. First, read the text then second, read the illustrations. Trying to do both at the same time is a little hard. You see, this might seem like a simple story, but it is far from it. Author Pimienta mentions in their author note that this book has special meaning to them as it is a book that explores culture and family. It talks about one’s roots and one trying to spread their experiences farther than those roots might allow. It is also talking about being a good friend, a good sibling, and a good person. It is about your comfort zone and stepping out of it. And how their own life overlaps with the fictionalized story. There is a lot going on and not everything can be gathered at once when looking for the “underneath” the surface story. And that underneath can come out with the art, but you need to watch as the details and colors are minimal and need to look to find it all.
Twins is a “That’s good, let’s read others by Pimienta” book. Yet, before I knew that I picked up a copy of the graphic novel, Stars, Hide Your Fire. I thought it was a dual author/illustration combo by Pimienta as well, but the story is by Kel McDonald with Pimienta illustrations. I was hoping it would be a nice story about friends, but maybe have a little edge. Unfortunately, it was not nice. It was spooky! It has witches/fairy/bad supernatural creatures. It has magic and while it is all wrapped up in the disguise of a fairytale it is a middle grade thriller/horror. While nothing horrible happens, it is not for a sensitive reader.
The themes have been done before with its fear of the future, feeling stuck in your town and going nowhere fast, and not wanting to grow up. Nothing is really new-new, but it is a nice story with a hint of any time or place setting.
Both books are for ages 10 and up, but younger people could read it, just be aware that they have a mature content, especially twins with its drug use and selling and why a student would want to leave Mexico and study in the states, therefore having to cross the guarded border every day.