Fall 2024

Lowriders to the Rescue

From the Set Lowriders

A changing planet means new problems--and new friends--for nuestros amigos favoritos! Faced with growing pollution and greedy business plans, the Lowriders are concerned for their town and local businesses. When a beautiful young monarch bikes by with a broken wing, she has more scary news--a dangerous wildfire is burning fast and hot, leaving the monarchs stranded. Can the Lowriders powerful passion save their town in the face of an overheated planet's furious flames? ¡Vámonos!
Striking, unparalleled art engages reluctant readers with humor and Spanish slang in this rollicking journey through climate change, mixing cultures, and standing up for what you believe. A glossary at the back to provides definitions for new terms in this delightful graphic novel that will educate and entertain in equal measure.

Format List Price Your Price Qty
$48.55 $33.95
Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Dewey Number 741.5
Lexile
ATOS Reading Level
Guided Reading Level
Language English
Publisher Black Rabbit Books
Format Reinforced book
ISBN 9781623109998
Copyright 2025
Number of Pages 140
Dimensions 7.5 x 9.5
Graphics Full-color illustrations

SLJ Review of Lowriders to the Rescue

Cultures, technologies, and families unite in this rallying cry for eco-friendly change. When a forest fire endangers a family of anthropomorphic Arabic monarch butterflies, daughter Sokar escapes to the nearby city to find help. She encounters the Latinx lowriders—an impala, a mosquito, and an octopus who all adore cars—and they take her in. They learn about each other’s culture, including food, aesthetics, and language. English translations for Spanish and Arabic words appear at the bottom of each page and in an appended glossary. The lowriders deploy a series of technological marvels to solve ecological and economic issues. Beaming faces and effortless solutions threaten to turn the book’s optimistic attitude into parody, though younger readers will appreciate seeing positive changes take place so soon, and there is much to learn about science and Latinx and Arabic culture. Rendered digitally and mimicking a ballpoint pen, the textured illustrations are vibrant and expressive. Back matter includes personal, historical, and scientific notes about the many inspirations behind the story.VERDICT This bursting medley of community and planetary mindfulness is as colorful as it is inventive. Best experienced after the earlier books.

Author: Cathy Camper

Illustrator: Raúl Gonzalez