Jours, Jacque. (2026). The Muéganos. Transit Children’s Editions
So, first an explanation of what muéganos are:
Did I know what muéganos were before I read this book? No. We never had them as kids, even though I have a Mexican bisabuela (great-grandmother). But now I am hungry. Let’s get to it. Also, Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
The Muéganos are a family (of muéganos). Being what they are, they are never apart. Papa “says it is honey [that] glues them together. Mama says it’s love.” Julia, on the end here, is just a little different.
“The point is, Julia is never, ever alone.” They do EVERYTHING together and one day, they go to the museum.
The family wants to see certain exhibits but Julia has her own interests, and as she pulls in the direction of what she wants to see…rrrrrriiiiiipp. She is no longer stuck to her family.
Her brother, that she was connected to, looks awfully mad! Her parents look sad and worried! So does Julia! Mama tried to fix it by sewing them back together.
“But some things are inevitable.”
And though Julia is now separate physically from her family, she is never, ever alone. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. (LOOK HOW HAPPY THEY ARE!)
This is a great book about how you can be different from your family and have separate interests, talents, even look different, but you are still part of your family, and they will still love you and be there for you. What matters is the love. (The same goes for growing up and separating from your family, forming your own identity.) This book is a cute way to start that conversation with a kid, which frankly, I don’t think can ever happen too early, because you’d be surprised how fast kids discover “otherness.” But they can also learn acceptance that early as well.
And as a person who always felt like the odd man out growing up, this resonates. Even if my mom didn’t understand me, she always loved me. For that, I am grateful.
Recommended Ages: 3-7