There is a lot to love about this engaging realistic fiction story for middle school students. The protagonist, Adela Ramírez (Alex), isn't perfect, which students will be able to relate to. Alex has grown up with a single mom and is presented with the opportunity to be adopted by her stepdad. However, a desire to get to know her biological father takes hold and Alex sets out to get to know his side of her family tree. This story strongly carries a theme of redemption. Readers will be drawn in by the emotionally gripping family story, but also make connections to how adults can be imperfect people. Fans of wrestling and "Lucha Libre" will appreciate the way the sport is woven throughout this novel. This is on the longish side at 350+ pages, so if using in the classroom setting, plan enough time for in-class or independent reading.

I enjoyed reading this story, but I was definitely left frustrated with how it turned out. I know this is reality for many kids, but the book was not hopeful overall. I do think the book did a good job tackling some tougher topics that many kids deal with.

What a great story about family and changes in life as family dynamics change. Oh, and with wrestling! I loved meeting Addie’s newly discovered family along with her but that also meant that I was disappointed with her as well. The book was a roller coaster of emotions! The backdrop of Addie’s family story is a middle school production of The Nutcracker which is a fun addition to the book.

Loved this read and love Celia's writing! Immersive and truly represents her culture and people in a way that not only shines like a mirror, but also outsiders look into the window clearly.

Fun book by a favorite author. Being true to yourself is such an important message that comes through in this story. And wrestling is not given enough space in middle grade novels so that was fun to read. Learning about the luchadores culture extends connections for my students.

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. Celia C. Pérez 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.

I loved this book! This is a great coming of age story that discusses difficult topics like adoption, and growing up without knowing who your biological father is. I can see this being a great book for many of my students.

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.

Pulsating with longing and confusion about family relationships, this heartfelt story is about heritage, identity, and…Mexican wrestling. When Adela’s stepdad wants to adopt her, Adela secretly uncovers who her biological dad is — and finds out he’s from a famous luchador family. She contacts him with high hopes of connecting, but those hopes are slowly dashed when her bio dad, drops her off with his family and leaves. But, Adela loves getting to know her extended family, especially her twin cousins, even though she wishes Manny would want to spend time with her.

Another incredible middle grade from Perez that will help Hispanic children feel seen, and connected to their heritage. I can’t wait to get this into the hands of students.

YES! This was everything I hoped it would be. Such a sweet story about family, culture, identity, AND wrestling! Even though the last one isn´t really an interest of mine, I enjoyed this middle grade novel immensly!

Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC of this book! I really enjoyed it.
Twelve-year-old Adela (Addie) Ramírez lives with her mom and her step-dad in a small town in New Mexico. A new baby brother is on the way and her mom & step-dad announce that her step-dad would like to adopt Addie. Addie's not so sure. She has always wondered about her birth father but her mom refuses to discuss him. So Addie begins her own investigation. An unearthed photograph leads to school yearbooks and finally figuring out who her birth father is -- and a reunion with an extended family who love her. And also just happen to be famous Luchadores.
This book follows Addie as she becomes more secure in who she is as long unanswered questions about her life are answered and mysteries resolved. Her mom and step-dad love her though her mom admittedly made a few mistakes by keeping secrets that could have been shared. Her best friend is super supportive. And her found family turns out to be amazing, also - for the most part.
I enjoyed the story and could definitely relate to Addie's need to know answers and also her disappointments. I also learned that there really is a giant tumbleweed snowman built every year! But it is in Albuquerque.

I could not get into this title. I did not finish reading his book. I tried several times to re- start this book and I just could not..

Gosh how we need more books like this on our classroom bookshelves! What a wonderful book that highlights family, culture, identity, AND wrestling! Putting this one on my "You go, Girl!" bookshelf. One of Colby Sharp's Best Books of 2022 picks.

I think this is Pérez’s best book to date. Lots of wrestling lingo, but beyond that a really sweet story about family.

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.

Addie's story is very compelling, as she works through her frustrations about not knowing her past, her confusion about accepting adoption by the stepfather she loves, and eventually acceptance into the family she never knew. Although wrestling is an important part of the story, it's not the wrestling itself that is important. It's the connection is makes between Addie and her family. I hope to purchase this for my library.

This one did not hold my attention as I was not compelled to finish reading it. Not all books are for everyone, so this does happen on occasion.

I have loved everything I've read from Perez, and this was no exception. This is the kind of book where readers find a home - or find a whole world they never knew existed. Great for any library or collection.

This book is a fascinating story about family, friendship, and figuring out how we all work together, with the interesting twist of lucha libre. As if 7th grade wasn't hard enough already, Adela begins a search for her long-lost father. Little does she know how much she would discover along the way.

Celia Pérez is great at writing stories where the main character journeys to find themselves on roads not often traveled. First Rule of Punk brought in punk music and zines. In Tumble, Pérez introduces readers to the colorful world of lucha libre. I was fortunate to understand lucha libre before reading this book thanks to 2 high school friends of mine who were professionally a part of that scene for a few years, but I digress. Lucha libre is full of costumes and often features wrestlers who wear masks. For Pérez, masks are used as a metaphor for the face we put on with others and the change that can happen when we are true to ourselves.

The story focuses on Adele, who lives in the small town of Thorne, New Mexico with her mom and step-dad. When her step-dad, Alex, brings up the idea of officially adopting her, it opens up Adela's personal need to find out who her biological father is. Her mom has always been silent about the past, but since her birth-father has to give-up his rights, she makes it her mission to find out who he is. Through some sleuthing and utilizing the local archives (librarian shout out!). Adele does solve the mystery, but nothing in life is every simple, and there are reasons her mom has always stayed silent. Instantly her family grows from tiny to quite large, bringing the good and the bad parts of that change.

Tumble is a really marvelous coming of age/family story that I would highly recommend for middle grade readers.