Tito the Bonecrusher

Fifth grader Oliver believes his father when he says he will be at Oliver's sister's high school graduation despite his legal troubles. But two months before the event, Oliver's dad, who lives in Florida while the kids reside with their mother in Virginia, faces two years in prison. The siblings are furious and in shock, but Oliver's best friend "Brain" points out what Oliver needs: help from their hero, the luchador turned movie star Tito the Bonecrusher. Tito can rescue people from anywhere and has helped fans in the past, so who better to help them get Oliver's father out of prison? As luck would have it, Tito is appearing at a fund-raiser in their Virginia town in two weeks--Oliver and Brain just have to find a way to meet him there. When their first plans go awry, the two, plus Oliver's sister, get help from a new friend and an old nemesis. The protagonist's faith in his hero resonates, as does his denial that his father has done something wrong. An engaging and entertaining story that sensitively explores the challenge of seeing flaws in oneself and those one admires. Ages 8-12. Agent: Lara Perkins, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Mar.)

A solid ground floor introduction to kids-will-fix-this adventures, with the lucha libre backdrop adding interest. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books