Tumble

Humor and heartfelt emotion reign supreme in a quirky narrative that centers the importance of family, blood or blended. Twelve-year-old Adela Ramírez, who's of Mexican descent, has a half brother on the way, a new addition to the stepfamily of her, her museum fossil preparator mother, and her stepfather, a wrestling fan who runs a diner. As the due date looms, Adela's stepfather proposes a big step: formally adopting her. Adela loves him and even thinks of him as her dad, but the situation is complicated by the existence of her absent biological father, whose identity her mother has never revealed. After deducing it from an old photo, though, it turns out that Adela is descended from a line of wrestling superstars, the Bravo family, who welcome her warmly into their family and traditions. But her biological father remains distant, and with the question of adoption looming, Adela must decide what, if any, role she wants him to play in her life. Layered, moving characterizations and Adela's voice, full of amusing witticisms, mark this charming novel, which glows with the love--and complications--of family. Ages 9-12. Agent: Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary. (Aug.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Adela loves mythology and draws parallels from it to wrestling's celebrity allure and peripatetic lifestyle...It all acts as an engaging backdrop to this story of family lost and found and of making amends.

Very entertaining . . . Any child who also likes professional wrestling will eat this right up.

 Select accolades and praise for STRANGE BIRDS
A 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Selection
A 2020 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
An ALSC 2020 Notable Children's Book

"'Strange Birds' respects its readers' intelligence and sophistication."
—Erika L. Sanchez, New York Times bestselling author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for The New York Times Book Review

"Thought-provoking, timely, and laugh-out-loud funny."
—Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound

"Strange Birds is an inspiring story about the power of truth, and of true friends."
—Rebecca Stead, New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me

★ Writing with wry restraint that's reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Engaging, well-plotted."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ A perfect title for school and public libraries seeking realistic books about friendship."
—School Library Journal (starred review)

★ Perfect for preteens becoming aware that friendships can be complicated, and that the world is more so."
—The Horn Book (starred review)

Select accolades and praise for THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK
A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book
A 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Winner
A 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction and Poetry Honor Book
An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist

★ "Thoughtful."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malú."
—School Library Journal (starred review)

★ "A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren't forced into neat, tidy boxes."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)