Tumble

One of my favorite books! I loved how so many characters grew in this story and the wrestling was a lot of fun. So many important topics mentioned as well-but most importantly, being yourself. Even if others don't like that version of you...be yourself. And be true to yourself.

I enjoyed reading this book! I felt Adela's highs and lows in her journey through life. As a fan of wrestling, I enjoyed her families history in the ring.

My daughter's favorite book!

Great teen + book of coming of age and learning background

Adela Ramirez is your typical pre-teen, worried and self conscious but learning to be bold and brave. She has also never met her biological father and her mom refuses to mention him. When her step dad Alex proposes to adopt her, Addie is happy but concerned. By accepting his proposal, this will forever close the door on her father. There’s also the tricky legal matter of her dad needing to give up parental rights before she can be adopted. (I don’t think this is legally a thing, but this is the reasoning for sake of the plot…)So Addie goes searching and manages to track down the other half of her biological family she never knew including grandparents, uncles, and cousins… and of course, her father Manny “The Mountain” Bravo. She learns about a whole new world of wrestling. She now juggles weekend visits to the Bravos’ ranch, the school play, and making and maintaining friendships.This book teaches that family is not always blood, adults are complex and not always right, and your identity is ultimately what you choose. Addie learns that just because you dream of what a certain relationship should be like does not mean that it will happen. Manny does not suddenly turn into the perfect father figure just because he reconnects with his child. This would be a great book for anyone struggling with split homes or not knowing a parent. It is ultimately a story about finding yourself.“Maybe it would be easier if life really was like wrestling and you knew who the good guy was and who the bad guy was.”“But even in wrestling it is never certain, right?” Rosie said. “We’re all a little of both sometimes, no?”*Diversity Note - One of the uncles, Mateo, does drag story time at the local library and he clearly has a male partner though it never mentions that they are gay.

Twelve-year-old Addie has no memory of her biological father and currently her stepfather Alex has asked Addie how she feels about adoption. Though she loves her stepfather, Addie wants to get to know her biological father- Mannie- before deciding. Unfortunately, Addie's mother is reluctant to tell her about her father so Addie takes matters into her own hands. With her best friend's help and support, she learns her father's family lives nearby and that they play a big part in the wrestling world Addie's mom allows her to get to know her father and family who warmly welcome Addie. Weekend visits bring her closer to her father's side of the family but not so much her father who is busy trying to make his comeback. Addie begins to realize that adults make mistakes, adults can let you down and life can be messy. A bit on the long side but an engaging coming-of-age story with fun characters throughout. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I opened this book on a flight to help me pass the time. It sucked me in and I didn't want to put it down until I had finished it. The author did a great job of bringing the main character to life and crafting a tough, but redeeming story of seeking family in likely and unlikely places. She is flawed, but loveable, and grows wiser as the book continues. Additionally, I loved learning more about the luchadores culture through reading this story and I think upper elementary and middle grade readers will like that aspect too.Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Wrestling is as ubiquitous to twelve-year-old Adela Ramirez as her stepdad’s quirky diner is. While sitting in the diner surrounded by the faces of the luchadors she loves watching on television, Adela often finds herself thinking about the people behind the masks. Much like those masked fighters, Adela hides from the world around her, especially as she is maturing and knows nothing about the father she resembles so much. When Adela takes matters into her own hands and discovers her biological father’s true identity, Adela steps outside of the only world she has ever known to come to terms with both where she came from and who she truly is.Middle grade coming of age stories are important tools for young people to observe someone else’s life while finding parallels within their own, and this book is no exception. Expertly written, the book hooks readers from the beginning and carries them along Adela’s important ride. Spanish language and luchador culture are referenced frequently through the narrative, immersing readers in Adela’s world and painting vivid mental images throughout. Written in the first person, this book invites readers directly into Adela’s story and will leave readers cheering for Adela on her path to self-discovery.Whether or not readers are familiar with luchador-style wrestling, they will find themselves becoming connected to it through this story. The narrative does an excellent job intertwining real-life experiences with fictional characters as well as blending the very real desire to be invisible with the glamour of performance. Elements of social commentary are included as well, which places this book squarely in the present. The writing is well-suited to readers of all ages, but middle grade readers are sure to be especially drawn to this narrative. Dynamic, multifaceted characters and a compelling, well-written story make this book an excellent addition to library collections for middle grade readers.