Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Review

Ever since my kids were introduced to Percy Jackson, they have read any and everything they can get their hands on that talks about gods, mythology, and the supernatural. When Tristan Strong landed on our doorstep I couldn't have been happier for them. Being a bi-racial family, it's important to my husband and I that the children learn about their heritage. This book, that dives into African American folk heroes and West African gods, is an exciting and fun way for the kids to immerse themselves in that world that is part of their background.

Thank you to Disney Books for the advanced copy of the book. All opinions are our own. Affiliate links below.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic adventure, a middle grade novel set in a world full of African American folk heroes and West African gods.

Seventh grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he's going to spend on his grandparents' farm in Alabama, where he's being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie's notebook.

Tristan chases after it–is that a doll?–and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature's hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world.

Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American folk heroes John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Review

I love that Rick Riordan presents books give our middle-grade readers diverse reads that are not only fun but allow kids to immerse themselves in different cultures and folklore. Just like the Percy Jackson series, I read Tristan Strong with my children so that we could talk about our favorite characters and discuss what we learned.

While some characters like John Henry and Brer Rabbit were familiar to us, others like Gum Baby and Anansi were completely new. Kwame Mbalia brought these beings to life in a way that pulls the reader in and makes them want to know more. What is a bottle tree? Is The Thicket a real place? Could The People really fly?

Just like the Percy Books, within the first few pages you are right in the thick of things. You are running alongside Tristan trying to figure out who is Gum Baby and why these animals can talk? Wait these stories are real?! Yes they are, and just like Tristan we have a lot to learn. From start to finish you are on a ride through fantastical realms, chock full of action, heart, and wonder.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky ends on a high note with promise of a future in this world that is equal parts new and familiar. I know we are hoping for a sequel and I think you will be too.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is available October 15, 2019

Pre-order it today on Amazon!