Lucas wakes excited for his capoeira moving up ceremony. Getting ready to go in the morning, he eats his breakfast and practices. His little sister tries the moves too, but fall and loses her ginga, or her confidence. As Lucas waits his turn during the ceremony, he starts to wonder what would happen if he lost HIS ginga. And when it happens, he’s not sure he will be able to earn his new cordas like his friends. This story shows the importance of family, community, and capoeira’s movement and music in the Brazilian community. It also speaks the importance of perseverance, effort, and the support of community in self improvement. In the end, Lucas earns his new cord and his nickname.

The inclusion of Portuguese words enrich the cultural experience of the book. The pictures portray the art and motion of capoeira with dynamic expressive illustrations.