Latinx in Publishing is pleased to exclusively reveal the cover for FRONTERA written by Julio Anta, illustrated by Jacoby Salcedo; publishing July 18, 2023 from HarperCollins. Read on for the official book synopsis and to view the gorgeous cover!
A debut young adult graphic novel that combines social commentary with a touch of magical realism, Frontera is a supernatural borderland odyssey that follows Mateo as he makes the dangerous journey back home to America through the Sonoran Desert with the help of a new friend, a ghost named Guillermo.
As long as he remembers to stay smart and keep his eyes open, Mateo knows that he can survive the trek across the Sonoran Desert that will take him from Mexico to the United States. That is until he’s caught by the Border Patrol only moments after sneaking across the fence in the dead of night.
Escaping their clutches comes at a price, and lost in the desert without a guide or water, Mateo is ill-prepared for the unforgiving heat that is sure to arrive come sunrise. With the odds stacked against him, his one chance at survival may be putting his trust in something, or rather someone, that he isn’t even sure exists.
If you’d asked him if ghosts were real before he found himself face-to-face with one, Mateo wouldn’t have even considered it. But now, confronted with the nearly undeniable presence of Guillermo, he’s having second thoughts. Having spent his afterlife guiding migrants to safety, Guillermo knows things about the Sonoran Desert far beyond what could be explained by a mere hallucination. But even as Mateo forms an uneasy partnership with Guillermo, survival is still uncertain.
The Sonoran Desert, with its hostile temperatures and inhabitants, is teeming with danger as the Border Patrol, rogue militias, and animals prowl its deadly terrain. As his journey stretches on, Mateo will have to decide exactly what and who he’s willing to sacrifice to find home.
Praise for Frontera
“Frontera gives us moments of solidarity, grief, bravery, and love, and shows us the beauty of these human feelings when they stand against the machine of American imperialism.” —Kiku Hughes, author of Displacement
“An action-packed and heartfelt story that highlights the resiliency of immigrants and the power of ancestral history.” —Alexis Castellanos, author of Isla to Island
“A story about sacrifice, immigration, home, and ultimately, love, Frontera carries an important message in the world today.” —Laura Gao, author of Messy Roots
“An absolute gut punch of a story. This book belongs in every high school and middle school library in our country.” —Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author of Squad
Julio Anta is an author from Miami, Florida, known for his comic book series Home. He currently resides in New York City, where he works to tell narratively rich stories about diverse Latinx characters for readers of all ages. This is his debut graphic novel. Visit him at julioanta.com.
Jacoby Salcedo is a comic book artist who works day and night from his bed in Portland, Oregon. He has published multiple short stories with frequent collaborator Julio Anta, and is the cocreator of the Dark Horse Comics miniseries It’s Only Teenage Wasteland. Visit him at jacobysalcedoart.com.
