Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel

A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller
By Xavier Garza
Paperback: $18.95

A Pura Belpré Author Honor Award winner

Una Pura Belpré Premio de Autor Infantil (Libro de Honor)

Maximillian’s summer vacation resembles one of his beloved lucha libre movies: grudge matches, fantastic villains and the Guardian Angel.

Las vacaciones de verano de Maximillian se parece a una de sus queridas películas de lucha libre: partidos de rencor, villanos fantásticos y el Ángel Guardián.

Description

Maximillian is just another 11-year-old lucha libre fan. He goes to the matches, watches the movies and collects the masks of his favorite wrestlers, especially the Guardian Angel. But when he tumbles over the railing at a lucha libre match in San Antonio, Max makes a connection to the world of Mexican wrestling that will ultimately link him–maybe by blood! –to the greatest hero of all time: The Guardian Angel. What was shaping up to be one boring summer before 6th grade now seems like a story straight out of Max’s beloved lucha libre movies!

***

Un cuento bilingüe, ganador de Pura Belpré. Maximillian es solo otro fan de lucha libre de 11 años. Él va a los partidos, mira las películas y colecciona las máscaras de sus luchadores favoritos, especialmente el Ángel Guardian. Pero cuando cae por la barandilla en un combate de lucha libre en San Antonio, Max hace una conexión con el mundo de la lucha mexicana, que finalmente lo vinculará, ¡tal vez por sangre! –Al héroe más grande de todos los tiempos: El Ángel Guardian.

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

  • Pura Belpré Author Award Honor

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • ALSC Notable Children's Books

    American Library Association (ALA)

Reviews

  • "Much to his great joy, [Max] 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."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Offers readers authentic insights into the exciting world of lucha libre. . . With its quick pace, humor, and endearing characters, this title is sure to turn more kids into lucha libre fans."

    - Booklist

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781933693989
  • Price $18.95
  • Publication Date Oct 18, 2011
  • Trim Size 9 × 6 in
  • Weight 0.75 lbs
  • Page Count 208
  • Interests

  • Imprint Cinco Puntos Press
  • Audience Middle Grade
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Family / Multigenerational
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Sports & Recreation / Wrestling
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Boys & Men
  • Themes Bilingual, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Cultural Diversity, Diversity, Dreams & Aspirations, Fiction, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Middle Grade, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Realistic Fiction, Spanish, Sports
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 13
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 7
  • Guided Reading V
  • Spanish Guided Reading W
  • ATOS Book Level 4.7
  • DRA 50
  • Interest Level Grades 3 - 7
  • Lexile Level 820
  • Reading Level Grades 6 - 7
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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