Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Xavier Garza is a prolific author, artist, and storyteller whose work focuses primarily on his experiences growing up in the small border town of Rio Grande City. Garza has exhibited his art and performed his stories in venues throughout Texas, Arizona and the state of Washington. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Xavier Garza is a prolific author, artist, and storyteller whose work focuses primarily on his experiences growing up in the small border town of Rio Grande City. Garza has exhibited his art and performed his stories in venues throughout Texas, Arizona and the state of Washington. His book Maximilian & the Mystery of the Guardian Angel was a Pura Belpré Author Honor Book in 2012.
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 colorseven 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 the wrestling stage." Yellow Brick
Road
"Xavier Garza tells the story of Lucha Libre, Mexico's freestyle
wrestling sport, which mirrors a fight between good and evil.
Favorite heroes and feared villains in outrageous costumes wrestle
for victory in the wonderful Mexican tale." Teaching Tolerance
"[The] dramatic tension is subtle throughout the book, particularly
in contrast to the bold illustrations and poster-style design,
which are more exciting than the narrative. Garza includes a
valuable addendum regarding the history of lucha libre, which is
informative without being inaccessible to children."Children's
Literature
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