Graphic Novel Mabuhay- Zachary Sterling

Mabuhay is a graphic novel about a brother and sister whose parents own a food truck providing Filipino cuisine. JJ and Althea are brother and sister who are initially reluctant to embrace their culture, and they struggle to fit in with their peers. Throughout the novel, they discover more about their family roots, they meet their uncle and find out their mother has magical powers, and they learn to use their own powers. When magical creatures begin to threaten their safety, the family learns to work together to fight off the creatures. I enjoyed that there were several messages conveyed in this novel; one of the most meaningful messages was about self-acceptance and acceptance of their own culture. Primarily, the character JJ is reluctant throughout the story to accept himself, his family, and
his culture; through many challenges, in the end, JJ accepts his family, culture, and himself for who they are. And it turned out he was more accepted by his peers than he realized. The illustrations from the book were very detailed, and the shapes, colors, and lines played a critical role in setting the scene for the reader. 

This book aligns with the message from my blog through acceptance of cultures, not only of other cultures but also our own. Connecting to our roots, embracing them as us, and accepting ourselves for who we are plays a critical role in how we accept and embrace cultures outside of our own. Adolescence makes our youth want to be accepted and relate to their peers, but they also need to be shown to get to know themselves and accept themselves for who they are. The only part I would provide more clarity on in the novel is the description of the antagonist who was seeking out the family. This was a bit vague to me, although it wasn't the focus of the novel I would have liked more clarity on this character.