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Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Review

October 14, 2019 By Ashley 19 Comments

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. 

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Review

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? 

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Review

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!

 

Filed Under: Disney, Kids Tagged With: book review, Disney books, Kid Books, middle grade books, reading, Rick Riordan, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Review

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar for robin ruerobin rue

    October 14, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    That sounds like a great book series. My 6th grader would love to read these I’m sure.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for caitcait

    October 14, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    i’m always looking for a great book series and i think my daughter would love to try this when she gets older!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Amber MyersAmber Myers

    October 14, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    This sounds like a great book series for kids. I bet my daughter would like it. I might have to get it for her for Christmas.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Monica YMonica Y

    October 14, 2019 at 6:14 pm

    That looks like a great book, my niece is going to love it, adding it to my list to get her one for the holidays

    Reply
  5. Avatar for MarysaMarysa

    October 14, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    I haven’t heard of this series, but this book looks great. I bet my girls would really enjoy it too.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Pam WattenbargerPam Wattenbarger

    October 14, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    My daughter really liked the Percy Jackson series. I bet Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky would be great too since Rick Riordan wrote it!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for 1stopmom1stopmom

    October 14, 2019 at 7:40 pm

    I love these types of books!I have never heard of Tristan Strong but this is on my radar now.I am always looking for new books to add to our home library.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Ice Cream n Sticky FingersIce Cream n Sticky Fingers

    October 14, 2019 at 7:46 pm

    This sounds like a great read. I’ve been looking for a new book to read and I will have to see if this is available in digital format.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for WestmanReviewsWestmanReviews

    October 14, 2019 at 8:23 pm

    I have a 10 year old daughter and a soon to be 12 year old daughter. I think they would really love these books.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Terri SteffesTerri Steffes

    October 14, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    If I see a kid reading with a lot of interest and passion, I am so excited. I cannot wait to learn more about this book.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Denay DeGuzmanDenay DeGuzman

    October 14, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    What a wonderful action/adventure book for kiddos! This reminds me: I need to pick up a few new books for my own fall reading pleasure!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Ruth IRuth I

    October 15, 2019 at 8:54 am

    This book is interesting! I would love to read it for myself as well.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for LynndeeLynndee

    October 15, 2019 at 10:03 am

    My son is a fan of Percy Jackson and we got him all the books for Christmas. I will have to tell him about this one. Sounds like a fun book.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for KathyKathy

    October 15, 2019 at 12:04 pm

    This sounds like it would be a great book. I think my daughters would really enjoy it too. My youngest daughter really loves to read.

    Reply
  15. Avatar for rikarika

    October 15, 2019 at 5:24 pm

    It sounds like a great book! I think my kids would want to read it! This would make a nice holiday gift!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Rosemary PalmerRosemary Palmer

    October 15, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    I need to pass this along to my niece who loves this type of book. She probably already is aware of it though as finding interesting books for her homeschooling.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Amy HAmy H

    October 15, 2019 at 11:09 pm

    I’m always looking for new books for my middle-schooler to read! I’ll have to check out this book

    Reply
  18. Avatar for SwathiSwathi

    October 15, 2019 at 11:41 pm

    Sounds like great book to read. My kids are small. I will get them once they slightly bigger. She is enjoying the book I can see that.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Karen MorseKaren Morse

    October 16, 2019 at 2:20 am

    Books that trigger a child’s imagination is awesome and it’s definitely something that I’d recommend to parents for their kids to be more excited about reading. Great review!

    Reply

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Avatar for Karen MorseAshley Saunders is a movie critic, writer, podcaster, and gamer from the Washington DC area who is always ready to travel.
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