Lucía's little sister Gemma wants to be a luchadora like her big sister, but she is more bumble and splat than pizzazz and seems to find trouble wherever she goes. When Gemma makes a ginormous hole in Lucía's special silver mask, Lucía is incredulous and exasperated at how her little sister seems to get away with everything. But Lucía's grandmother, Abu, has an idea: a trip to the mercado to get
Gemma her very own lucha libre mask. There are so many masks to choose from, and Lucía can't resist trying on masks and imagining all the new secret identities she could have if she had endless masks. When Lucía realizes she's misplaced her special silver mask, a frantic search ensues with Gemma's help. Lucía the Luchadora's big heart is on display again in her latest adventure, where she learns that some things, including trouble making little sisters, are one of a kind.
Cynthia Leonor Garza has enjoyed many shared adventures at the splendiferousmarket since she was a kid. She’s a journalist who has worked for several newspapers and her commentaries have appeared on NPR and in The Atlantic. She currently lives with her two daughters, husband, and their quixotic dog Bibi in Nairobi, Kenya. To learn more about Cynthia, find her @luchalady or on her website, cynthialeonorgarza.com.
Sisterhood leads to an adventure befitting a luchadora in Garza and Bermudez's sublime sequel to Lucía the Luchadora (2017). Donning her luchadora mask and silver cape, Lucía dives and soars in her backyard like a true luchadora. Her little sister, Gemma, tries to demonstrate some luchadora flair too, but the younger girl bumbles, tumbles, and SPLATS right on her face. Lucía thinks Gemma "always finds trouble." When Gemma tears a hole in Lucía's beloved mask, a devastated Lucía knows older sisters never win. Abuela, however, offers a solution. The trio head off to the mercado-which Lucía calls a "splendiferousmarket"-to find a luchadora mask for Gemma, one that'll help her "finally act like a real luchadora." Similar to its predecessor, this follow-up pops and snaps with jubilant glee. Garza's buoyant wordplay and delightful characters also continue to shine. Equally, Bermudez's vibrant, action-packed pictures epitomize pure zany fun. Inspired by the tale of Mil Máscaras, a legendary luchador, and the many masks available at the mercado, Lucía dreams of becoming the Girl of a Thousand Masks. Gemma, meanwhile, discovers her luchadora mask and sneaks off into the bustling mercado. Sensing trouble, Lucía follows. Together the luchadoras find a lost kitten and an opportunity to right a wrong. As always, Abu's words ring true: "Remember, the best adventures are shared." Transcendent joy personified in a pair of rip-roaring luchadoras. (Picture book. 3-7)
— Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
