Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight

This lively iconographic-animated adaptation of author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh’s 2018 short graphic novel, narrated by Tim Andrés Pabon, tells the story of Juan, who grew up in Mexico and came to the U.S. following the death of his father. After two attempts, the resilient teen illegally crosses the border and settles with relatives in a "poor neighborhood" in an unnamed city. He works for many years at a restaurant where he meets his future wife and another woman who convinces him to join protests demanding better working conditions, shorter hours, and increased pay. The restaurant owner offers thousands of dollars if the group drops the legal case, which is eventually settled out of court with promises of back pay and other compensations. Tonatiuh’s distinctive illustrations, inspired by pre-Columbian art, move across the screen with arms waving, heads bobbing, eyes blinking, and other slight movements set against authentic sound effects and piano and guitar music. A concluding author’s note lists the number of undocumented workers in the U.S. and other statistics, and discusses Tonatiuh’s inspiration for the story. Also featuring a read-along option, this seems well-suited to spur classroom and other group discussions about immigration issues, border patrols, workers’ rights, and related timely topics. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (S. Beauregard)