Description

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Xavier Garza brings another action-packed bilingual picture book about traditional Mexican wrestling--lucha libre

Xavier Garza presenta otro libro ilustrado lleno de acci n sobre un deporte tradicional de Mexico: la lucha libre ​

Young Carlitos attends a lucha libre match in Mexico City for the first time with his Pap Lupe, but his T o Vicente is nowhere to be found, though he's supposed to join. At ringside, Carlitos sees the greatest luchador of all time--the Man in the Silver Mask. His eyes look familiar, and he even flashes Carlitos a mysterious smile... The young boy is mesmerized as The Man in the Silver Mask is pitted against the terrible rudos, the bad guys of lucha libre. Can Carlitos's newest hero defeat the fearsome masked villains?

Acclaimed author and lifelong lucha libre fanatic Xavier Garza introduces children to the thrilling world of this beloved Mexican sport: favorite heroes and much-feared villains, dressed in dazzling and outrageous costumes, strut and prance across the mat and bounce against the ropes, daring anyone to take them to the floor In an afterword, Garza provides helpful context, discussing the history and cultural significance of lucha libre.

Carlitos asiste su primer pelea de lucha libre en la Ciudad de M xico con su Pap Lupe, pero no aparece su T o Vicente, que deber a acompa arlos. En el ringside, Carlitos ve al m's grandioso luchador en la historia de lucha libre, El Hombre de la M scara de Plata. Sus ojos le parecen familiares, y hasta le sonr e misteriosamente a Carlitos... El ni o est hipnotizado cuando El Hombre de la M scara de Plata se enfrenta a los rudos, los malos de la lucha libre. Podra el nuevo h roe de Carlitos vencer a los terror ficos villanos?

El galardonado autor, y fanatico de lucha libre de por vida, Xavier Garza le presenta a lectores peque os el mundo emocionante del adorado deporte mexicano. En Lucha libre, los j venes fan ticos ver n este mundo fascinante ven a la vida: h roes favoritos y villanos muy temidos, vestidos con trajes deslumbrantes e indignantes, pavone ndose y brincando sobre el tapete y rebotando contra las cuerdas, desafiando a cualquiera a llevarlos al piso En una til nota de autor, Garza provee contexto para el cuento, platicando un poco sobre la historia y significado cultural de la lucha libre.

About the Author

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Xavier Garza is a prolific author, artist, and storyteller whose work is a lively documentation of the dreams, superstitions, and heroes in the bigger-than-life world of South Texas. Garza has exhibited his art and performed his stories in venues throughout Texas, Arizona, and Washington state. He is also celebrated for his bilingual lucha libre picture books and chapter books, including the award-winning, four-book Max's Lucha Libre Adventures series. Garza lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.

Praise For…

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Garza’s illustrations are oversized, wildly colored and presented in bold outlines, recalling both Mexican folk art and the rowdy spirit of the stylized sport. They are sure to draw in every wrestling fan under the age of 10.” Kirkus

[An] engaging story Smoothly integrated information in fluid colloquial English and Spanish combines with grainy graphic-novel-style illustrations executed in acrylic to create an oddly compelling and sophisticated package. Certain to be a popular choice.” School Library Journal

The fluid colloquial English and Spanish and grainy graphic-novel style illustrations executed in acrylics make for an attractive package with definite appeal for boys. This title is sure to become popular.” Críticas, starred review

"This is a really fun book for little lucha libre fans." —NBC Latino

Recommended! Children familiar with the sport will welcome the vibrant visual paean, while fans of wrestling, comic-book superheroes, and all things pugilistic will wonder where lucha libre has been all their lives. The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"The sport [lucha libre] became 'a poor man’s theater,' according to Garza. The masked fighters, known as 'luchadores,' are classified as either 'tecnicos' (working-class heroes who play by the rules) or 'rudos' (bad guys who use dirty tactics to get ahead). It’s the classic struggle between good and evil. 'Somehow, in the nick of time, the good guy will triumph,' Garza said. 'And if he doesn’t, it’s to set up a bigger match down the road.'"Boston Herald Review

"Without resorting to the kitsch or comedy that plagues so many other pop portrayals of these masked men, Garza's hyper-exaggerated, vibrant illustrations spring to life from the book's pages and convey an aura of reverence and awe befitting his young protagonist. Carlitos has a blast and, chances are, you will, too. It's the next best thing to having front-row seats for the Friday-night match." San Antonio Current

Garza's excellent contribution to children's literature will definitely introduce new audiences to the fantastic world of lucha libre.” El Paso Times

"For the kids is the main event, about a youngster whose father takes him to watch wrestling while visiting his big bicep-ed tio Vicente, who suspiciously is never there when the Man in the Silver Mask isFor the grown-ups, the story is followed by 'a brief but tremendously exciting history' of lucha libre. Both age groups should appreciate Garza’s paintings, with their folk art/street mural vibe, thick line strokes and white-warm colorseven if it’s for different reasons." Alive Columbus

"Narrated by a young lucha libre fan, The Man in the Silver Mask tells the story of a boy’s trip with his Papá Lupe to a match. The eye-popping illustrations, by author Xavier Garza, highlight the exciting world of Mexican wrestling where the action is brutal, the crowd goes wild, and real men wear masks."El Paso Inside & Out Magazine

"Wrestling matches in Mexico feature good guys (los tecnicos) and bad guys (los rudos). At the match in Mexico City, Carlito wishes his Tio Vicente could be there, but the famous luchador The Man in the Iron Mask has eyes that look very familiarGarza highlights the power of wrestling (Lucha libre) in Mexico, and the mythology of good and evil played out on the wrestling stage." Yellow Brick Road

"Xavier Garza tells the story of Lucha Libre, Mexico's freestyle wrestling sport, which mirrors a fight between good and evil. Favorite heroes and feared villains in outrageous costumes wrestle for victory in the wonderful Mexican tale." Teaching Tolerance

"[The] dramatic tension is subtle throughout the book, particularly in contrast to the bold illustrations and poster-style design, which are more exciting than the narrative. Garza includes a valuable addendum regarding the history of lucha libre, which is informative without being inaccessible to children."Children's Literature