Do you know what lucha libre is? Have you ever been to a lucha libre match and seen los technicos and los rudos―the good guys and the bad guys―dressed up in their wild costumes and crazy masks? How would you feel if the most famous luchador of all time actually stopped and smiled at you? Find out what happens to Carlitos when The Man in the Silver Mask―a man he’s never seen before in his whole life―turns and does that very thing to him. Kids―of all ages―are drawn to the allure of lucha libre and its masked men and women. In Lucha Libre, young fans will see this fascinating world come alive: 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! ¿Sabes que es la lucha libre? ¿Alguna vez has ido a un combate de lucha libre y visto los técnicos y los rudos―los buenos y los malos―vestidos con sus disfraces llamativos y sus máscaras locas? ¿Cómo te sentirías si el luchador más famoso de todos los tiempos se detuviera y te sonriera? Descubre qué le sucede a Carlitos cuando El Hombre de la Máscara de Plata, un hombre que nunca antes había visto en toda su vida, se da vuelta y le hace eso. Niños, de todas edades, se sienten atraídos por el atractivo de la lucha libre y sus hombres y mujeres enmascarados 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! “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 “[An] engaging story … 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. Certain to be a popular choice.” — School Library Journal “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. This title is sure to become popular.” — Críticas , starred review "This is a really fun book for little lucha libre fans." — NBC Latino “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. — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books "The sport [lucha libre] became 'a poor man’s theater,' according to Garza. The masked fighters, known as 'luchadores,' are classified as either 'tecnicos' (working-class heroes who play by the rules) or 'rudos' (bad guys who use dirty tactics to get ahead). It’s the classic struggle between good and evil. 'Somehow, in the nick of time, the good guy will triumph,' Garza said. 'And if he doesn’t, it’s to set up a bigger match down the road.'"— Boston Herald Review "Without resorting to the kitsch or comedy that plagues so many other pop portrayals of these masked men, Garza's hyper-exaggerated, vibrant illustrations spring to life from the book's pages and convey an aura of reverence and awe befitting his young protagonist. Carlitos has a blast and, chances are, you will, too. It's the next best thing to having front-row seats for the Friday-night match." — San Antonio Current “Garza's excellent contribution to children's literature will definitely introduce new audiences to the fantastic world of lucha libre.” — El Paso Times "For the kids is the main event, about a youngster whose father takes him to watch wrestling while visiting his big bicep-ed tio Vicente, who suspiciously is never there when the Man in the Silver Mask is…For the grown-ups, the story is followed by 'a brief but tremendously exciting history' of lucha libre. Both age groups should appreciate Garza’s paintings, with their folk art/street mural vibe, thick line strokes and white-warm colors—even if it’s for different reasons." — Alive Columbus "Narrated by a young lucha libre fan, The Man in the Silver Mask tells the story of a boy’s trip with his Papá Lupe to a match. The eye-popping illustrations, by author Xavier Garza, highlight the exciting world of Mexican wrestling where the action is brutal, the crowd goes wild, and real men wear masks."— El Paso Inside & Out Magazine "Wrestling matches in Mexico feature good guys (los tecnicos) and bad guys (los rudos). At the match in Mexico City, Carlito wishes his Tio Vicente could be there, but the famous luchador The Man in the Iron Mask has eyes that look very familiar…Garza highlights the power of wrestling (Lucha libre) in Mexico, and the mythology of good and evil played out on t