With his signature laugh-out-loud humor, world-famous comedian George Lopez launches a magical series inspired by his own colorful childhood and Latinx folklore. In this illustrated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Jorge is lonely and resentful after being sent to live with his grandparents. His first day at his new school doesn’t go well after catching the attention of his belligerent principal and the school bullies, so Jorge might be a little desperate for a friend.
But the only kid who shares his interest in junk food and games turns out to be a young chupacabra—a legendary monster whose kind is known for being bloodthirsty livestock killers. The truth is, Carter is anything but savage—he's kind, a good listener, and has great taste in sneakers. Being friends with a mythical creature should be amazing, but when local cattle turn up dead and his principal suspects the truth, Jorge is torn. Should he trust that his friend is innocent and protect him from exposure, or reveal his dangerous existence and change the world forever?
On sale: May 9, 2023
Age: 8-12 years
Grade: Grades 3-7
Page count: 288 Pages
ISBN: 9780593465981
Reading level: Lexile: 730L | Fountas/Pinnell: V
George Lopez's multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, standup comedy, and late-night programming. He co-created, wrote, produced, and starred in his own hit sitcom
George Lopez, a groundbreaking show that was one of the few with a Hispanic star. Lopez can be seen most recently in his Netflix original comedy special,
We'll Do It for Half. His autobiography
Why You Crying? was a
New York Times bestseller.
ChupaCarter is his first book for children.
Visit him online at GeorgeLopez.com
Ryan Calejo is an award-winning author born and raised in south Florida. His critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has been featured in half a dozen state reading lists, and is a two-time gold medal winner of the Florida Book Awards.
Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @RyanCalejo.
Santy Gutiérrez grew up in Vigo and now lives in Corunna (La Coruña), both seaside cities in Spain. In his career, he has won acclaim as the Best Spanish Young Editorial Cartoonist and Best Galician Caricaturist, and he founded the BAOBAB Studio Artists' Collective. His wife and son are his personal inspirations.
Follow him on Instagram @SantyGutierrez_Art.
"ChupaCarter is an uproariously good time, full of humor, heart, and unexpected friendships."
—Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of
Valentina Salazar Is Not a Monster Hunter
"Fast-paced and funny, with lively illustrations."
—
Washington Post
"A narrative punctuated with wisecracks and flavored with Spanish phrases and slang...Frights and fun in equal measure."
—
Kirkus Reviews
"Gutierrez’s lively b&w illustrations expertly render Jorge and Carter’s occasionally over-the-top, adrenaline-filled adventures. Actor/comedian Lopez and Calejo offer a rollicking tale brimming with Latinx folklore and culture about finding one’s home in the unlikeliest of places that never takes itself too seriously."
—
Publishers Weekly
"Some good and gross humor...in this fantasy-infused tale."
—
School Library Journal
