Margarito acts like any other eleven-year-old aficionado of lucha libre. He worships all the players. But in the summer just before sixth grade, he tumbles over the railing at a match in San Antonio and makes a connection to the world of Mexican wrestling that will ultimately connect him—maybe by blood!—to the greatest hero of all time: the Guardian Angel.
A 2012 Pura Belpré Author Honor Award winner!
Xavier Garza was born in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. An enthusiastic author, artist, teacher, and storyteller, his work is a lively documentation of the dreams, superstitions, and heroes in the bigger-than-life world of south Texas.
From the Publisher
"Garza—an author, artist, and storyteller—paints larger-than-life portraits of the luchadores and offers readers authentic insights into the exciting world of lucha libre … Bold, black-and-white comic-style art opens each chapter and gives readers a sense of what the luchadores look like. With its quick pace, humor, and endearing characters, this title — like Garza’s picture book Lucha Libre (2005) — is sure to turn more kids into lucha libre fans." — Booklist
“Garza’s masterful illustrations and the many well-written action scenes make this a must-read for middle-grade boys.”—The Monitor
"This action packed bilingual mystery novel uses playful language that reinforces elements of Mexican-American culture and overflows with almost unbridled excitement for Lucha wrestling." — The Pura Belpré Committee
"Garza captures the excitement of the wrestling matches with energetically descriptive passages … This action-packed winner of a 2012 Pura Belpré Author Honor Award is sure to be a favorite." — Language Arts
"Garza has done it again...a unique middle grade novel that pays homage to the Mexican tradition of masked wrestlers...We don't often see middle grade novels that are bilingual and that include male Latino protagonists. Garza and Cinco Puntos Press have really outdone themselves in hitting on all of these areas that are lacking in the world of children's books...Here's to more books like this in the near future!"—All Brown All Around
"[An] engaging bilingual novel...Garza’s writing captures the excitement of the wrestling matches."—Reading Matters
School Library Journal
Gr 6–9—Eleven-year-old Max is fascinated with the world of Lucha Libre and the great wrestler known as the Guardian Angel. For those unfamiliar with Lucha Libre, it is similar to the North American WWF except that it is includes Mexican folklore and traditions as well as wrestling moves that are unique to Mexico. Max lives in Texas, where it has become tremendously popular. Much to his great joy, he is given the opportunity to attend a match in San Antonio, where his hero will be challenging the ruthless Red Devil. In all the emotion of attending the event, Max falls into the ring and thus into the Guardian Angel's path. To his surprise, this spontaneous encounter reveals a family connection between them that will forever change both of their lives and those of Max's family members. This title is accessible to both English and Spanish speakers.—Jessica McClinton López, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
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