Lucha Libre

The Man in the Silver Mask
By Xavier Garza
Paperback: $12.95

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

Xavier Garza presenta otro libro ilustrado lleno de acción sobre un deporte tradicional de Mexico: ¡la lucha libre!

Description

Young Carlitos attends a lucha libre match in Mexico City for the first time with his Papá Lupe, but his Tío 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 México con su Papá Lupe, pero no aparece su Tío Vicente, que debería acompañarlos. En el ringside, Carlitos ve al más grandioso luchador en la historia de lucha libre, El Hombre de la Máscara de Plata. Sus ojos le parecen familiares, y hasta le sonríe misteriosamente a Carlitos… El niño está hipnotizado cuando El Hombre de la Máscara de Plata se enfrenta a los rudos, los malos de la lucha libre. ¿Podra el nuevo héroe de Carlitos vencer a los terroríficos villanos?

El galardonado autor, y fanatico de lucha libre de por vida, Xavier Garza le presenta a lectores pequeños el mundo emocionante del adorado deporte mexicano. En Lucha libre, los jóvenes fanáticos verán este mundo fascinante ven a la vida: héroes favoritos y villanos muy temidos, vestidos con trajes deslumbrantes e indignantes, pavoneándose y brincando sobre el tapete y rebotando contra las cuerdas, ¡desafiando a cualquiera a llevarlos al piso! En una útil nota de autor, Garza provee contexto para el cuento, platicando un poco sobre la historia y significado cultural de la lucha libre.

About the Creators

Xavier Garza

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.

Awards

  • Tejas Star Reading List

    Texas Library Association (TLA)

  • Américas Award Honorable Mention

    Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

Reviews

  • * As if going to a lucha libre ("wrestling") match with his grandfather and uncle weren't exciting enough, the young narrator of this engaging story buys a mask identical to the one worn by his favorite wrestler. Although Carlitos' uncle can't actually make it to the fight, a face-to-face encounter with his hero, the Man in the Silver, keeps the protagonist distracted. Astute readers will easily deduce the identity of the masked man, as they learn about Mexican wrestling. 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. An informative endnote in English presents a brief but engrossing history of lucha libre. This title is sure to become popular in both libraries and bookstores.

    - Críticas
  • "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 Reviews
  • "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. An informative endnote, in English only, presents a brief but engrossing history of lucha libre. Certain to be a popular choice."

    - School Library Journal
  • "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."

    - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781933693101
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2007
  • Trim Size 11 × 8.5 × 0.1 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Sports & Recreation / Wrestling
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Boys & Men
  • Themes Bilingual, Fiction, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Spanish, Sports
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 13
  • Grade Range Grades 2 - 7
  • Guided Reading U
  • Spanish Guided Reading U
  • ATOS Book Level 4.8
  • Interest Level Grades 2 - 7
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 1140
  • Reading Level Grades 5 - 6
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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    • 107
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