Lowriders in Space

By Cathy Camper and Raúl the Third

Learn about lowriders and Mexican-American slang as three friends travel the solar system to pursue their dreams in this lighthearted graphic novel.

Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack, and Elirio Malaria love working with cars. You name it, they can fix it. But the team’s favorite cars of all are lowriders—cars that hip and hop, dip and drop, go low and slow, bajito y suavecito. The stars align when a contest for the best car around offers a prize of a trunkful of cash—just what the team needs to open their own shop! ¡Ay chihuahua! What will it take to transform a junker into the best car in the universe?

Striking, unparalleled art from debut illustrator Raul the Third recalls ballpoint-pen-and-Sharpie desk-drawn doodles, while the story is sketched with Spanish, inked with science facts, and colored with true friendship. With a glossary at the back to provide definitions for Spanish and science terms, this delightful book will educate and entertain in equal measure.

Praise for Lowriders in Space

“What a fantastically original, smart, funny and drop-dead cool match of story, art, and form. Muey caliente!” —Jon Scieszka, bestselling author of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

“Only from the inventive mind of writer Cathy Camper could come such genius: a book for kids that has it all—kooky characters, col cats and outer space, no less! Not to mention a high-interest graphic-novel form, full of hip and hop, sure to grab the wits of the most reluctant of readers. What more could readers ask?” —Megan McDonald, bestselling author of the Judy Moody and Stink series

“Lowriders in Space is FAR OUT, and the illustrations are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Love this graphic novel. Muy Buena!” —Amy Sedaris

“A highly entertaining and culturally authentic romp.” —Kirkus Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781452143149

Book preview

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Reviews for Lowriders in Space

[librarianryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great and unique look at car culture from the southern states. Car culture is just like any other culture. It varies by location. This book was a great way to introduce the “low and slow” car culture and used a really fun adventure as a way to do it. The illustrations were so unique, I loved the inclusion of Spanish words and sayings. It felt authentic and not pushed. Plus the back matter where the author gives a very brief history of low riders and ideas that went into this book is just the icing on the cake. I cannot wait for book 2 to come out.

[librolindsay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book IS galactically spectacular! I was giggling the whole way through, and I LOVE Raul the Third's use of red, blue, and black ballpoint pens and old-school style cartoony creatures. I would have been fine with just a liiiiiittle more plot, but I am absolutely on-board with the future escapades of Lupe, Flapjack, and Elirio (and Genie, too!).

Bonus points that I found a name for my octopus. :)

[m_mozeleski · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful graphic novel, beautifully illustrated and with new words in Spanish translated once at the bottom of the page, this is an excellent story about a car taking a trip through outer space, and the friendships that bring it there.

[mamzel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First of a series, we meet Lupe Impala (terrific mechanic), Flapjack Octopus (fantastic car cleaner), and Elirio Malaria (mosquito great at detailing). Lupe dreams of opening her own garage with the help of her friends so they rebuild a rusted old hulk into a bajito y suavecito (low and slow or lowrider). The story is peppered with expressions in Spanish that are translated for non-Spanish readers. The art is mainly red and black on pale beige paper reminiscent of Mexican art styles.

[davisfamily-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just loved this!! Clever and gorgeous!

[jessica19890-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I only flipped though it cuz it was right before moving and was packed away.. Don't really have a place to live so it hasn't been unpacked.. But once I do unpack it I will write a better review. When I flipped through it it seemed pretty neat.. And for those who like graphic novels.. It's a great choice

[asomers_8 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a very unique graphic novel. It will appeal to reluctant readers, students interested in drawing, cars or anything Spanish.Not like anything I have ever read before.

[brangwinn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There aren’t many books for Latino graphic novel readers. Camper and Raul the Third have created a story that will appeal to car lovers as well as comic book fans. A crazy trio of friends wants to win a carload of money in a lowrider contest. They’re creative and when their car which has been customized with parts from a closed airplane factory shoots into space, they’re in for a whole new dimension for customizing a car. The quirkly characters and the goofy story line will attract young readers.

[loewen-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lowriders in Space, a young readers graphic novel, is an absolute blast! Peppered with spanish idioms and energetically illustrated, this book is a fun read and also teaches you some fun phrases that you wouldn't necessarily learn in spanish class! Imbued with a respect for individual skills, ingenuity and teamwork, this graphic novel would make a great read for boys and girls alike. 5 stars!I received an advance copy of this book which was in black and white. With colour added, it will make a stellar addition to your library.

[mal2012-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3 friends, an antelope,mosquito and octopus set out to design the best car in the world! This gets almost 5 stars...

[loafhunter13 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This graphic novel has great style with flowing, organic art and a much needed source in Hispanic-American culture. It is certainly not a definitive look at that culture but having a nod to it in this medium is a good start. Fun characters, good story, and great ink work.

[shazzerwise_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Note: Final, full color art not seen.Total fun, and sure to be a gas for car fans (wokka wokka). Art that is both whimsical and detailed and a grounded story (a customized car competition) that goes to out of this world dimensions (literally). Here's hoping for more books in this promising new series.

[sylliu_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lowriders in Space is a fun and fast read about three car-obsessed critters, Lupe the Impala (a mechanic), El Chavo Flapjack Octopus (a car washer), and Elirio Malaria (a mosquito detailer) who work for an oppressive garage but dream of opening their own. With a dash of Mexican slang (slightly different from the Venezuelan slang I grew up with) and influenced by the Mexican American car culture of young people souping up old cars to make them "Bajito y suavecito" (low and smooth, or low-riders), this book tells the zany story of friends scavenging an old airplane/rockets parts factory to build their dream car. When they discover the car can fly into space, they know they have the secret ingredients to really soup up their car for an upcoming contest.A fun read for all while adding a previously unheard voice to kidlit.

[alishawebster · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm just going to say that I was not sure about this comic book. I'm not real interested in cars but I do like comics. This was insanely adorable. I didn't think my 2 year old would enjoy a comic book but I read it to him anyways. HE LOVED IT. Mostly Lupe and I don't think it was just the voice I used for her. This is really a comic book for all children. I could see a 10 year old enjoying it. I know I did. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. 5/5

[deathsmistress · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Totally original and inclusive little comic book. The obvious latin influences were refreshing and the fact that one of the main characters was female was great. Definitely a great comic for the kids or even an adult that's into this kinda stuff.

[pat2011-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story. Graphics well-done. Combines English with a mixture of Spanish words and sayings.