From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she’s never met.
Twelve-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramirez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she’s ever known, but with a new half brother due in a few months and a big school theater performance on her mind, everything suddenly feels like it’s moving too fast. She has a million questions, and the first is about the young man in the photo she found hidden away in her mother’s things.
Addie’s sleuthing takes her to a New Mexico ranch, and her world expands to include the legendary Bravos: Rosie and Pancho, her paternal grandparents and former professional wrestlers; Eva and Maggie, her older identical twin cousins who love to spar in and out of the ring; Uncle Mateo, whose lucha couture and advice are unmatched; and Manny, her biological father, who’s in the midst of a career comeback. As luchadores, the Bravos’s legacy is strong. But being part of a family is so much harder—it’s about showing up, taking off your mask, and working through challenges together.
Topics Wrestling. Families. Mexican Americans. New Mexico. Fathers. Sports and recreation. Luchadores. Adoption.
Lexile 660L
JLG Span Fall
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2022-08-15
JLG Release Date Oct 2022
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 7
Reading level Elementary, Middle
Format Print
Upper Elementary/Middle Plus (Grades 5-7)
Upper Elementary/Middle Plus
Upper Elementary/Middle Plus (Grades 5-7)
For Grades 5-7
This collection ensures a steady stream of engaging books for middle-grade readers, offering a well-balanced mix of fiction and nonfiction. Designed to challenge and inspire young readers, these selections remain accessible for those transitioning to more complex texts or who may be reluctant to read.