Lucia the Luchadora - Hardcover

Garza, Cynthia Leonor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1576878279 ISBN 13: 9781576878279

Publisher: POW! Kids Books, 2017

Synopsis

Lucía the Luchadora named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Chicago Public Library and more! Lucía zips through the playground in her cape just like the boys, but when they tell her "girls can't be superheroes," suddenly she doesn't feel so mighty. That's when her beloved abuela reveals a dazzling secret: Lucía comes from a family of luchadoras, the bold and valiant women of the Mexican lucha libre tradition. Cloaked in a flashy new disguise, Lucía returns as a recess sensation! But when she's confronted with a case of injustice, Lucía must decide if she can stay true to the ways of the luchadora and fight for what is right, even if it means breaking the sacred rule of never revealing the identity behind her mask. A story about courage and cultural legacy, Lucía the Luchadora is full of pluck, daring, and heart.Praise for Lucía:NPR Best Books of 2017Kirkus Best Books of 2017
Chicago Public Library Best Picture Books of 2017
Evanston Public Library List of 101 Best Books for Kids 2017ALA's 2018 Amelia Bloomer List for best feminist books for children

About this title

About the Author:

Cynthia Leonor Garza spent most of her childhood under the hot South Texas sun running around with her three brothers. She's a journalist who has worked for several newspapers and her commentaries have appeared on NPR and in The Atlantic. Of all the lucha libre masks she owns, her favorite one is pink and gold. She currently lives with her two young daughters and husband in Nairobi, Kenya. This is her first picture book.

Alyssa Bermudez grew up in New York City, where culture and liveliness fed her imagination. Her illustrations have appeared in animation, and on packaging and textiles. Alyssa, along with her mini Mexican folk art collection and two little dogs, can be found in the beautiful and faraway Tasmania, where she currently resides. Lucía the Luchadora is her debut into the magical world of picture books.

From School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 2—Lucía can zip through the playground and jump off the monkey bars and land on her feet every single time, but the boys ignore her and tell her that girls can't be superheroes. Lucía and her Abu—short for abuela—hatch a plan that will involve learning all about luchadores, the stars of a popular Mexican style of wrestling (lucha libre). By the end of the book, Lucía has learned she must fight for what is right and has become a role model for other girls on the playground. Animated illustrations capture the equally vibrant main character, a brown-skinned girl with flowing long hair. The story, told in Lucía's voice, has plenty of punch and humor and is chock-full of onomatopoeic sounds that just beg to be read aloud. The placement of the text moves along with the action, adding to the tone and breakneck pace of the story. The narrative encourages girls to trust their own strengths yet is never didactic. An author's note at the end explains luchadores and lucha libre. VERDICT A shining debut outing for author and illustrator, this endearing and humorous title is sure to put a bit of KA-POW into storytimes! A must-have.—Lucia Acosta, Children's Literature Specialist, NJ

About this edition

• Publisher: POW! Kids Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1576878279
• ISBN 13: 9781576878279
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Bermudez Alyssa