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Pura Belpré Author Award Honor – ALA

ALSC Notable Children’s Books – ALA

“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

“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

Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel / Maximilian y el Misterio del Ángel de la Guarda (Max’s Lucha Libre Adventures #1)

Written by Xavier Garza and Luis Humberto Crosthwaite ‧(Translator)
Illustrated by Xavier Garza
Published by Cinco Puntos Press

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.

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore / ¡No te pierdas el resto de la serie! Explora:

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: October 2011
Available As: Paperback
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (San Antonio TX)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Teacher’s Guide

In the Classroom: Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel by Xavier Garza

Source: Lee & Low Books