Xolo - Donna Barba Higuera;Mariana Ruiz Johnson

For fans of Rick Riordan and Bea Wolf–an Aztec middle grade graphic novel adventure about the origin of man–and man's best friend–from Newbery Medalist Donna Barba Higuera and Mariana Ruiz Johnson.

It is said the mighty feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl, helped create the earth. He is the hero who stole back the bones of humanity from the evil god of the Underworld. In his quest to bring humans to the earth, Quetzalcoatl's dog-headed twin brother, Xolotl, was present. Not much is known of Xolotl, the god of lightning, death, and misfortune. A monster.

But this is what really happened.

W I N N E R

Indie Next List Pick
ALSC Notable
Oregon Reader's Choice list
Keystone to Reading list

P R A I S E

* "[A] wonderfully rousing retelling of humanity’s origins. With great success, Higuera explores very human issues such as self-doubt, social isolation, and the nuances of community through these larger-than-life figures; her work rings out with a powerful sense of emotive resonance... Magnificent." –Kirkus Reviews, starred

* "Xolo shines as a compelling protagonist in an action-packed narrative that is heightened by Higuera's engrossing prose. This book achieves a perfect blend of the mythological and contemporary, which is only heightened by Mariana Ruiz Johnson's illustrations. Inspired by ancient Aztec art, her boldly colorful and expressive characters and landscapes add irresistible energy to the narrative. Humorous and exciting, Xolo is a true delight." –BookPage, starred

* "[A] clever, visually arresting graphic novel.... Xolo is immediately endearing.... [The artwork] is impeccable, resplendent with rich, vibrant colors and stylized linework in the evocative visual representations of ritual, sacrifice, ego, weakness, and, finally, redemption." –Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred

* "A winning reflection on what it means to be an underdog." –PublishersWeekly, starred

* "Higuera’s reinterpretation comes to life.... An impressive, artistic approach to a creation tale as well as the origin of the great loyalty of dogs."  –Booklist, starred

"Place this on the shelf next to Jon Klassen’s The Skull and recommend it to readers who love mythology, dogs, and books that break the mold." –School Library Journal

"The Original Dog Man.... A delight of a book in every possible way." –Betsy Bird, Fuse #8

"Wise and witty...beautifully illustrated....An excellent pick for reluctant readers, graphic novel lovers, and kids who’ve just begun to find their way into longer stories."  –LitHub

"[A] stunning new retelling of the Aztec myth of creation." –We Are Teachers

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