Through Fences

Gr 9 Up–At the United States/Mexico border, every family has a story: a young Mexican girl in a detention center, separated from her parents and little brother; a white teen living in poverty with his uninvolved dad, surrounded by violence. Other stories feature the son of a border patrol agent and a teenage TikTok influencer who longs for a better life. Witnessing circumstances beyond their control each day, these diverse few are tied together by the fear that invades their lives. Some of them make it through; others are not as lucky. But they each have a history that fuels their anger, sadness, and hopes for the future. Life as an immigrant or as a citizen of a border town creates divisions among residents, but also forms alliances between those willing to open their hearts and minds. With accessible text in prominent blocks and speech bubbles, the stories of these varied characters come alive on the page. The colorful illustrations pop, giving readers vivid portrayals of each scenario. The conversational dialogue is easy to follow and complements the dramatic drawings perfectly. Highlighting familial situations that are universal, such as alienation and belonging, this graphic novel manages to tie together the struggles specific to the border with the experiences of people everywhere, making this book relevant across a broad range of readers.