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Tumble
From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she’s never met.
Twelve-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramirez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she’s ever known, but with a new half brother due in a few months and a big school theater performance on her mind, everything suddenly feels like it’s moving too fast. She has a million questions, and the first is about the young man in the photo she found hidden away in her mother’s things.
Addie’s sleuthing takes her to a New Mexico ranch, and her world expands to include the legendary Bravos: Rosie and Pancho, her paternal grandparents and former professional wrestlers; Eva and Maggie, her older identical twin cousins who love to spar in and out of the ring; Uncle Mateo, whose lucha couture and advice are unmatched; and Manny, her biological father, who’s in the midst of a career comeback. As luchadores, the Bravos’s legacy is strong. But being part of a family is so much harder—it’s about showing up, taking off your mask, and working through challenges together.
Twelve-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramirez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she’s ever known, but with a new half brother due in a few months and a big school theater performance on her mind, everything suddenly feels like it’s moving too fast. She has a million questions, and the first is about the young man in the photo she found hidden away in her mother’s things.
Addie’s sleuthing takes her to a New Mexico ranch, and her world expands to include the legendary Bravos: Rosie and Pancho, her paternal grandparents and former professional wrestlers; Eva and Maggie, her older identical twin cousins who love to spar in and out of the ring; Uncle Mateo, whose lucha couture and advice are unmatched; and Manny, her biological father, who’s in the midst of a career comeback. As luchadores, the Bravos’s legacy is strong. But being part of a family is so much harder—it’s about showing up, taking off your mask, and working through challenges together.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 2022
86 people are currently reading
3527 people want to read
About the author
Celia C. Pérez
4 books161 followersCelia C. Pérez is the author of The First Rule of Punk, a 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book. Celia is a longtime maker of zines inspired by her love of punk music and writing. Originally from Miami, Florida, Celia lives in Chicago with her family where she works as a community college librarian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
August 31, 2022
Tumble is a poignant, exciting, and heartrending middle grade book about family secrets, wrestling culture, and identity. This unique middle grade book highlights the challenges of growing up with an absent biological parent and finding one's place in a new family. This is a solid tween novel with a determined heroine and strong ties to Latin-American culture.
August 9, 2023
We yelled, "Tzitzis!" We made scary faces and goofy faces. Anyone who saw us taking our photos would think we were a family, and we were. Long-lost family, stepfamily, blood family, chosen family. Part myth, part science. We were all those things.
What I Loved About This Book
1). The Culture : The Hispanic/Latin culture is one of my favorites! :) I'm currently learning Spanish so it was nice to see I knew some sentences, and it was delightful looking up the words I didn't. I loved how the lucha libre culture was also incorporated, heavily, into the story!
2). The Diversity : I love how books, nowadays, are so diverse! It's really awesome to see the author and the characters in the story being inclusive and it was so interesting to see the way that Mrs. Gonzalez tried to change the Nutcracker production, with
3). Ghost Lineages : I loved seeing Adela's resourcefulness in the story, and how she ended up finding her father. I loved the people at the historical society, and all the different memories or pictures or hidden stories that all connected to Adela. It was really interesting to read about how she found her family...
4). Adela's Family : One thing I love about the Latin culture, is how close family is. I loved seeing the family in this story, in the twins, Pancho, Rosie, Uncle Mateo and Hijo! It was really cool to see Manny, too, but you'll see why I wasn't as excited in the next section. Anyway, I loved how most of the family was there for each other, pulling each other up, helping each other, learning from and teaching each other; it was really great! :)
5). Greek Myths : I loved the Greek myths used in the story, and how Adela continuously incorporated them into her life! It was fun :)
What I Didn't Like
1). Manny : I don't know why, but I had a major problem with Manny's behavior near the late middle part of the story. I really couldn't believe how he just
What I Loved About This Book
1). The Culture : The Hispanic/Latin culture is one of my favorites! :) I'm currently learning Spanish so it was nice to see I knew some sentences, and it was delightful looking up the words I didn't. I loved how the lucha libre culture was also incorporated, heavily, into the story!
2). The Diversity : I love how books, nowadays, are so diverse! It's really awesome to see the author and the characters in the story being inclusive and it was so interesting to see the way that Mrs. Gonzalez tried to change the Nutcracker production, with
3). Ghost Lineages : I loved seeing Adela's resourcefulness in the story, and how she ended up finding her father. I loved the people at the historical society, and all the different memories or pictures or hidden stories that all connected to Adela. It was really interesting to read about how she found her family...
4). Adela's Family : One thing I love about the Latin culture, is how close family is. I loved seeing the family in this story, in the twins, Pancho, Rosie, Uncle Mateo and Hijo! It was really cool to see Manny, too, but you'll see why I wasn't as excited in the next section. Anyway, I loved how most of the family was there for each other, pulling each other up, helping each other, learning from and teaching each other; it was really great! :)
5). Greek Myths : I loved the Greek myths used in the story, and how Adela continuously incorporated them into her life! It was fun :)
What I Didn't Like
1). Manny : I don't know why, but I had a major problem with Manny's behavior near the late middle part of the story. I really couldn't believe how he just
August 21, 2022
Celia C. Pérez writes the most heartwarming, joyful middle grade novels & Tumble is more proof. There is so much to love: the exploration of family (& family history), the realness of the characters, the vivid descriptions of place and action. It's witty and smart, and it's got my favorite cover of the year (truly stunning!). It's a story of taking risks, of loving big & hard, and what that love can lead to. And it's also super fun. Kids are gonna eat this book right up.
This might be my favorite of Celia's books. I'd love to keep following these characters (how about a sequel that follows Maggie & Eva out into the world, eh?!). Highly recommended.
This might be my favorite of Celia's books. I'd love to keep following these characters (how about a sequel that follows Maggie & Eva out into the world, eh?!). Highly recommended.
August 12, 2025
The separation of families in divorce is more than mother and father. How adults navigate life affects their children. This story rang true.
November 9, 2024
When Addie meets her birth father and extended family for the first time, she is excited for the opportunity to bond with them. But what about her father? What will come first for him, his family and Addie or his career ?
read-audiobooks
December 12, 2022“Just because we’re in seventh grade, doesn’t mean we don’t have opinions.”
Twelve-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramírez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she’s ever known, but she has so many questions about who her biological father is.
With some sleuthing, she figures it out. This was such a fun part of the story. I loved that her and her best friend went looking through the town archives for answers. It’s amazing what you can find out from one single photograph.
I’m going to consider this a Christmas book, because it ends on Christmas. Also Addie and her friends did a school performance of the Nutcracker. I loved their unique spin on it!
Wrestling is not my favorite sport, but the story was so fun! I especially loved the infusion of Latin culture and the family history of luchadores.
The family dynamics in this story warmed my heart, and also made me cry. Not only did Addie gain a whole new family, and learn her origin story, but she made some friends too. ♡
Twelve-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramírez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she’s ever known, but she has so many questions about who her biological father is.
With some sleuthing, she figures it out. This was such a fun part of the story. I loved that her and her best friend went looking through the town archives for answers. It’s amazing what you can find out from one single photograph.
I’m going to consider this a Christmas book, because it ends on Christmas. Also Addie and her friends did a school performance of the Nutcracker. I loved their unique spin on it!
Wrestling is not my favorite sport, but the story was so fun! I especially loved the infusion of Latin culture and the family history of luchadores.
The family dynamics in this story warmed my heart, and also made me cry. Not only did Addie gain a whole new family, and learn her origin story, but she made some friends too. ♡
July 16, 2022
4 stars
This was one of the more unique coming-of-age stories I've read in middle school-age books. Addie/Adela has grown up in NM with her mother and stepfather and she loves them both. My husband grew up in NM, so I always enjoy finding books that are set in that part of the country. What I was not familiar with was the world of wrestling and I loved learning about the culture of wrestling and what it is and what it is not. I would definitely say that my opinion of wrestling went up with this book and I appreciated the education. In particular, I loved the comparison to dance/storytelling, and it made me realize how it can also be beautiful.
What I also liked about this story was the emphasis on family and that you could love your family even if you couldn't have the relationship you wanted with them. I really enjoyed Addie's search for her father and his family, as well as her coming-of-age journey as she grows closer to them and learns that you can love your family but you can't change them, but you get to choose what kind of relationship you want.
Along these lines, I enjoyed Addie's friendships, especially with Cy, but also with other adults, like Marlene. The only reservation I have about this book is that it is on the long side for some of my more reluctant readers, but I would still encourage my students to read it, especially if they enjoy wrestling.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was one of the more unique coming-of-age stories I've read in middle school-age books. Addie/Adela has grown up in NM with her mother and stepfather and she loves them both. My husband grew up in NM, so I always enjoy finding books that are set in that part of the country. What I was not familiar with was the world of wrestling and I loved learning about the culture of wrestling and what it is and what it is not. I would definitely say that my opinion of wrestling went up with this book and I appreciated the education. In particular, I loved the comparison to dance/storytelling, and it made me realize how it can also be beautiful.
What I also liked about this story was the emphasis on family and that you could love your family even if you couldn't have the relationship you wanted with them. I really enjoyed Addie's search for her father and his family, as well as her coming-of-age journey as she grows closer to them and learns that you can love your family but you can't change them, but you get to choose what kind of relationship you want.
Along these lines, I enjoyed Addie's friendships, especially with Cy, but also with other adults, like Marlene. The only reservation I have about this book is that it is on the long side for some of my more reluctant readers, but I would still encourage my students to read it, especially if they enjoy wrestling.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 20, 2022
"Tumble" is an incredibly heartwarming and poignant exploration of family, identity, culture, and most notably secrets. Following Addie as she comes to learn more about her absent biological father, she advocates for herself, taking huge risks and finding new family. Full of so much Latin American culture, and a unique appreciation for the art of wrestling, "Tumble" offers something new and fun to middle grade literature.
March 15, 2023
One of my favs this year. Each time I pick it up or talk about it, I find a new reason I loved it. The MC was immediately likable and you are rooting for her to find her father. The characters you meet along the way and how they help her on her journey is wonderful and then the ending is just 🔥🔥🔥.
October 14, 2023
I loved everything about this book! Addie is the kind of protagonist you really believe in. The beauty of New Mexico and the lore and excitement of wrestling give this novel an almost magical setting.
September 10, 2022
I loved the multigenerational family and all their messy complexities. I appreciated the way in which this story acknowledges that sometimes love or blood is not enough to create the relationships we long for. Addie has such strong character within her that she makes for a wonderful hero. Another winner from Celia C. Pérez!
November 20, 2022
A charming, modern story with lots of local color and culture, Tumble poses lots of questions about the meaning of family and belonging. The characters are three-dimensional and sympathetic, and if the reader thinks to judge them for their decisions, the author skillfully reveals more about each one so that new revelations keep the story moving.
January 3, 2025
The plot was extremely predictable, but the character development was not. I adore this book. I love how the author respects the reader - Science, Spanish, and wrestling are all treated as common topics with minimal explication but many context clues. The family dynamics are very real and incredible to witness. I want to give this book to all 12-year-olds.
September 4, 2022
full disclosure: the author is my BFF
Tumble is a middle grades novel, but I think the 1st person narration is so mature that the book will appeal to YA readers, as well. Protagonist Adela (Addie) is faced with a dilemma: her stepfather Alex has proposed adoption, which Addie eventually realizes will necessitate her birth father, whom she doesn't remember meeting, giving up his parental rights. It's not like she should take this unidentified man into account when making her decision, but she is curious about who he is...
When Addie and her friend discover a breadcrumb, they follow a trail that leads them to the local historical society (archives nerdery ensues) and to Addie's father, wrestler MANNY BRAVO! Alex is a wrestling fan, so Addie has grown up with knowledge of the luchadores, but not of the Bravos specifically.
As the rest of the novel unfolds, Adela comes to know her Bravo half and also deepens her understanding of her mother, and the father who raised her. She also learns some wrestling moves.
This is a layered book, with multiple themes and even a gay uncle who helps reinforce a regular Celia C. Pérez theme about finding and being yourself. Normally I dog ear pages to remember favorite passages, but I didn't want to mess up my signed copy, so I didn't. Ergo, I can't share the quotations that impressed or moved me.
Tumble is a middle grades novel, but I think the 1st person narration is so mature that the book will appeal to YA readers, as well. Protagonist Adela (Addie) is faced with a dilemma: her stepfather Alex has proposed adoption, which Addie eventually realizes will necessitate her birth father, whom she doesn't remember meeting, giving up his parental rights. It's not like she should take this unidentified man into account when making her decision, but she is curious about who he is...
When Addie and her friend discover a breadcrumb, they follow a trail that leads them to the local historical society (archives nerdery ensues) and to Addie's father, wrestler MANNY BRAVO! Alex is a wrestling fan, so Addie has grown up with knowledge of the luchadores, but not of the Bravos specifically.
As the rest of the novel unfolds, Adela comes to know her Bravo half and also deepens her understanding of her mother, and the father who raised her. She also learns some wrestling moves.
This is a layered book, with multiple themes and even a gay uncle who helps reinforce a regular Celia C. Pérez theme about finding and being yourself. Normally I dog ear pages to remember favorite passages, but I didn't want to mess up my signed copy, so I didn't. Ergo, I can't share the quotations that impressed or moved me.
September 20, 2024
“There’s no crying in wrestling.”
🤼♀️
Addie’s mom and stepdad are about to have a baby and Alexandra, the only father figure she’s ever known, asks if he can adopt Addie. Worried she would be leaving her real dad behind, Addie does some snooping and finds out where her biological father lives. After tracking him down, she finds that he lives in New Mexico and comes from a family of luchadores. After spending time with her dad’s side of the family and sometimes even with her dad (when he’s around), Addie starts to fall for her new family. But when a promise is broken, Addie wonders if Manny is even ready to be her father at all.
🤼♀️
This cover has pulled at me ever since I first saw it. I waited way too long to read this one, @celiacperez! I loved the family history interwoven throughout the story, as well as Perez’s ability to show that families come in different ways and I loved the inclusion of the drag queen family member too!
CW: parental abandonment, dementia, sports-related injuries, misogyny
3.25 ⭐️ not the biggest fan of this one
🤼♀️
Addie’s mom and stepdad are about to have a baby and Alexandra, the only father figure she’s ever known, asks if he can adopt Addie. Worried she would be leaving her real dad behind, Addie does some snooping and finds out where her biological father lives. After tracking him down, she finds that he lives in New Mexico and comes from a family of luchadores. After spending time with her dad’s side of the family and sometimes even with her dad (when he’s around), Addie starts to fall for her new family. But when a promise is broken, Addie wonders if Manny is even ready to be her father at all.
🤼♀️
This cover has pulled at me ever since I first saw it. I waited way too long to read this one, @celiacperez! I loved the family history interwoven throughout the story, as well as Perez’s ability to show that families come in different ways and I loved the inclusion of the drag queen family member too!
CW: parental abandonment, dementia, sports-related injuries, misogyny
3.25 ⭐️ not the biggest fan of this one
March 5, 2023
Adela Ramírez's doesn't know who her biological father is so when her mom suggests that her stepfather adopt Adela, she works to solve the mystery of her father’s identity (in part by visiting the historical society library!). She discovers that he’s actually Manny “The Mountain” Bravo, a famous luchador! From here, she is thrown into the world of the Bravo family’s wrestling dynasty. At school she has been given the lead in the school production of the Nutcracker, and I love how these two worlds collide. I really loved everything about this book. Loved the family, the homage to lucadores, Adela's drag queen uncle, and her struggle to honor her relationship with Alex (her stepfather) while staying true to her own wishes. Perez handles all the complicated relationships with care. This is just a really great read.
March 20, 2023
Celia C. Pérez does it again. I've read every single one of her books and continue to come back to her stories for the touching way they deal with family drama, social issues, and coming-of-age. Addie is a great MC searching for more info about her bio dad, who turns out to be a really important wrestler in luchador culture in the region. Addie is at a crossroads, deciding whether her stepdad should become her legal dad via adoption. Her bio dad isn't always present, but this allows Addie time to get to know the rest of her dad's side of the family, including an awesome grandmother, a cool uncle, and rambunctious cousins. Ultimately, I thought this would hit me emotionally a little bit more by the story's end, but I still loved my time with it. The audiobook narrator Victoria Villareal did a great job.
August 16, 2022
I love reading new middle grade advanced copies of books, but I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d love a book about wrestling. I did. The book starts off with a bang as 12-year old Adela’s step-father asks for permission to adopt her. This single question sets off an avalanche of new questions and emotions, including the desire to know more about her biological father. Forced to find out for herself, Adela discovers who her father is….and who he isn’t. This book explores the definition of family, the need to know our familial roots and how to make space for new people, traditions and emotions. It was a roller coaster of a ride and I’m shocked at how much I got into the wrestling aspects, too. I may have googled a few things to bring this book to life. =) It’s a must read.
June 13, 2023
A lovely story about family and friendship, and love. Addie reaches a cross roads where she can be adopted by her step father or try and learn more about her mysterious dad who has been absent from her life. Some sneaking and research leads her to the Bravo family, a family famous for wrestling. Things I loved included the theme that relationships take work and commitment and sometimes adults make promises they can’t keep. I also loved the layers of the story where strong women in mythology and in Mexican culture are spotlighted. Some mild swears (like dogdamn) and choreographed wrestling fighting. These colorful characters who will steal your heart. 6th grade and up.
March 1, 2024
Middle grade books are really some of my favorites and this one did not disappoint. I picked it up by chance as I needed a book that started with the letter "T" and this was available on my Libby app via audiobook. Glad I had the opportunity to read it, and one reason I like doing different book challenges. Allows me to find books that I may not have otherwise "found". This one, like so many middle grade books, taught us some good life lessons. Reminds us adults of the important things in life and puts things in perspective. 4/5 stars
May 22, 2024
This book had it all. Wrestling, science, GREEK MYTHOLOGY. I would describe it like Elizabeth Acevedo writing for middle schoolers. You really come to care about Addie and wish the best for her. I just want to keep her in my pocket and protect her. Addie asks the hard questions and she’s really brave. Although she might not have found exactly what she was looking for she found exactly what she needed and I hope that is enough.
March 23, 2023
I did not expect a novel about luchadores to be so moving and so wholesome! This very cute novel discusses how complex families can be and how they might not be what we expect. I also appreciate the honest discussions that the main character has surrounding family and how the ending is not what I expected (it was even better than how I thought it was going to end).
September 1, 2022
Another great middle grades read! This story focuses on Adela and her learning about her father, his family, and how she can fit in to all types of family. The author makes the story even more fun with an interesting and new storyline- revolving around Mexican wrestling! The readers learn fun aspects of the sport, all while cheering on Adela, her family, and her friends in the challenges they face.
Thank you, NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2023
At what age do you figure out that there is a difference between a flawed parent and one that is just not a parent? Adela loses a father, but this is not a sad story. Adela is rich in family love; a mother, a step-father, cousins, a grandmother, and good friends. And that is enough.
November 15, 2024
I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed it. It was a little longer than I was wanting and I am not sure my elementary students would like this book or not. The length might be daunting to some, for sure.
August 6, 2025
Rating by my 10 year old.
This is a great book to discuss with your kids. Sometimes parents just choose things that don’t make sense and my 20 year old couldn’t understand why the dad made that decision, but that is life.
Her favorite part was her getting a family photo at the end.
This is a great book to discuss with your kids. Sometimes parents just choose things that don’t make sense and my 20 year old couldn’t understand why the dad made that decision, but that is life.
Her favorite part was her getting a family photo at the end.
August 26, 2022
This one seemed… “preachy” to me, but I think that’s because I just came off a run of adult books that are… well… written for adults. (Am I getting too old for 7th grade books?!) I loved learning about the luchadores, I loved the ideas for the play Addie and her friend Cy had, and I loved Addie’s step-dad and extended family she finally gets to meet on her father’s side. I didn’t like how her mom wouldn’t talk to her about her father, and I didn't like how there were soooo many lessons for the reader (the worms, the play they put on, family, being open & honest...).
September 8, 2022
I loved the main character and her friends. The wrestling in the book didn't excite me personally, but I think it's interesting how the author was able to capture such a unique local culture.
September 24, 2022
4.5–This was super cute! And I loved the NM setting.
September 25, 2022
Just the ending on this one. Otherwise I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews