A moving and triumphant middle grade contemporary debut from award-winning author Matt Wallace about a heroic young girlβwho dreams of becoming a pro wrestlerβlearning to find courage and fight for what she loves. Perfect for fans of Kelly Yang, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds' Track series!
MJ knows what it means to hurt. Bruises from gymnastics heal, but big hurtsβlike her dad not being around anymoreβdon't go away. Now her mom needs to work two jobs, and MJ doesn't have friends at school to lean on.
There is only one thing MJ loves: the world of professional wrestling. She especially idolizes the luchadores and the stories they tell in the ring. When MJ learns that her neighbor, Mr. Arellano, runs a wrestling school, she has a new mission in life: join the school, train hard, and become a wrestler.
But trouble lies ahead. After wrestling in a showcase event, MJ attracts the attention of Mr. Arellano's enemy at the State Athletic Commission. There are threats to shut the school down, putting MJ's new homeβand the community that welcomed herβat risk. What can MJ do to save her new family?
* A Junior Library Guild Selection * Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year *