Following the loss of a friend, Tristan Strong isn’t looking forward to a summer on his grandparents’ farm. But when he accidentally sets free an evil spirit and starts a war between the gods of African mythology and the heroes of African American folklore, his problems get a lot bigger. But as he learns about the power of story and the importance of building bridges, he may become the only one capable of setting the world right. This book will enthrall readers regardless of whether they love the stories it draws on or are encountering them for the first time.

Engaging story of a young man who suddenly finds himself in the African American folktales so often told by his Grandmother. He finds the hero and bravery in himself.

I have started and restarted this review so many times. I even had to stop one night so I could sleep on it. But I just didn't think I could get this review right. There's so much in this book tto hhat I didn't think I'd ever see in a book, let alone one for kids. 
      Tristan Strong hasn't felt like his self since he lost his best friend Eddie. He goes to his grandparent's house to heal. While there, strange things begin to happen. A sticky doll comes out of nowhere and steals Eddie's journal and he chases her. She almost gets away until he punches a Bottle Tree... which sends them to MidPass where there's African American gods. To get back home Tristan has to make sure the sky is fixed and that he won't lose anything else he won't love.  
     I can't express how much this story meant to me. Seeing so many strong Black characters fighting against the very things that haunted them; chains and "Uncle C"... it was more than amazing. And this story was also filled with so much Blackness that I never thought I'd see in a book. For instance, the Bottle Tree. The fact that I had one of those in my front yard, thanks to my own mother, made me realize just how imoprtant it was to me. Before I even finished it I called my mom and said she needed to read it too. 
     As for the characters, I loved every one of them. (But no one can top Gum Baby lol) I loved seeing some of the characters I've heard from stories back when I was younger from my mom. John Henry and all of them were straight from the tales. But there were still some tales I hadn't heard and went back and did some research on those that I didn't. Not only was this entertaining, but it was also educational.  
     As for the plot, I did feel that it was too close to the chosen one troupe. It ticked every box for it, but, with all the fighting and the storytelling, I thought that was more than ok. And for this to be the first in the series, I can't imagine a better origin story. It's definitely only rivaled by the other origin stories from the Rick Riordan imprint. 
     This book was everything I needed and more. I remember hearing about this story and being extremely excited to see the cover reveal. And now I'm super excited that I've read and loved this book. I can't wait to read more Tristan Strong.

This book was amazing! Marketed as middle grade, I can easily see readers of all ages enjoying this book. filled with folklore and America history this book will be a great addition to your library or classroom. This was an easy fun must read book. I'll read anything Mbalia writes in the future. Overall this was a 5/5 star for me. 

 Many thanks to Rick Riordan Presents and Netgally for gifting me and DARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Partner NetGalley for the digital ARC of Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky in exchange for an honest review. The book releases Tuesday, October 15.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky begins with Rick Riordan’s introduction asking “Can you imagine what it would be like if you could find a book that wove the whole brilliant, beautiful tapestry of West African and African American legend into one magical world?” (loc. 48). This, of course, is that novel. Kwame Mbalia’s middle-grade book is a gorgeous, exciting, moving account of Tristan Strong’s discovery of another world, one where John Henry, Brer Fox, and Gum Baby join together to fight the Fetterlings, manacle-like creatures that threaten the people of MidPass. Mbalia threads allusions to African-American history throughout the novel, providing threats that have haunted black history into the present. 

Tristan is the third generation of his family to pursue boxing, so when his first bout ends in failure, he faces both his own disappointment as well as the disapproval of his father and grandfather. Almost immediately, Tristan’s parents decide that he should spend the summer with his grandparents. Though he has conflicted feelings about his granddad, who is tough on him, but he is quite fond of Nana, who has built a strong relationship with Tristan infused with storytelling.Tristan also shared a love for stories with his friend Eddie, whose death he is still mourning and blames himself for. Tristan holds tight to Eddie’s journal, which contains the West African and African-American stories that mean so much to both of them. It’s here that the magic of the novel begins: Tristan has known since he received the journal that there’s something odd about it (for starters, it glows!).

Tristant Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky centers on stories, and it establishes that focus early as Tristan tells his tale directly to the reader:

“They didn’t want to hear the rest . . .
“Oh, you do?
“Hmm.
“Well, what if I told you that I went to war over my best friend’s glowing journal? . . . Would you believe me?” (loc. 72).

Naming is also important. Tristan constantly bemoans the inappropriateness of having “Strong” as a last name when he considers himself to be a coward, weak, a failure. He knows that being a Strong means he’s expected to be brave and to work hard, but he’s not sure he can live up to those expectations. Tristan and the other characters in the book constantly remind each other to be careful with names and with stories because “stories are powerful magic” (loc. 656).They avoid saying their enemies’ names whenever possible so as not to evoke them, and Tristan comes to use stories as a weapon in his arsenal that is stronger even than his fists.

Tristan’s journey to mythological MidPass begins when Gum Baby, “a doll Anansi used to trap an African fairy while he was on a quest” (loc. 293), steals Eddie’s journal, and Tristan pursues her. Their battle ultimately ends in the midst of the Bottle Trees on his grandparents’ farm when Tristan, in an attempt to retrieve the journal, punches one of the bottles and unleashes Uncle C, a demon, though a hole that joins the ground under his feet and the sky of MidPass. Tristan and Gum Baby fall through the hole Tristan has made into a mythological world, and they immediately have to escape bone ships and the threat of the Maafa preying upon the Midfolk. He meets a brave young woman named Ayanna and legendary gods like Brer Fox and John Henry who help him understand the seriousness of the situation.

There’s so much to love here. Of course the mythology, and particularly stories that we (or at least I) aren’t as familiar with, is a big draw. But watching Tristan’s very real personal journey—his consideration of what bravery means, of when violence is appropriate, of what it means to know one’s story—is as compelling as the focus on the gods. Tristan is still trying to reconcile what has happened in the reality of his life back home, where he’s seeing a counselor who talks to him about not “hid[ing] from [his] fears.” Mr. Richardson says, “we have to be able to talk about them, or else they’ll fester like poison, eating us from the inside” (loc. 873). We see similar wisdom from the legendary figures Tristan meets: “Brer Fox told me we can’t harp on past mistakes” (loc. 884). As Tristan begins to reconcile the lessons of these two worlds, his confidence and agency grow.

Watching Tristan contend with symbols of slavery—the Fetterlings, Brand Flies, and bone ships, among others—is a powerful thread through the novel. For Tristan, considering that past has been a part of life, instilled by Nana, who reminds him that “A lot of times . . . little facts get smudged out of the history books. If you gon’ tell a story, you better be sure you’re telling the right one” (loc. 959). It’s in MidPass that Tristan learns to apply so many of the lessons his Nana and Eddie taught him, where the ideas that seemed abstract take on a concrete and immediate urgency.  Kwame Mbalia here unites intention and execution in the fabulous Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.

African American and West African folklore join mythology in this new "unsuspecting kid becomes a demi-god and saves the world" story.  Brer Rabbit and John Henry are well-loved stories but this ingenious mix also combines West African folklore like Anansi the spider and elegant warriors to create a frantic race to ask for help from Anansi to weave the hole that Tristan created in the sky and stop the evil forces from disrupting the world.  Tristan is very likable as a kid who is visiting his grandparents and trying to deal with the death of his best friend.  His time at the farm turns out to be anything but boring as Tristan falls down the rabbit hole into a world he is unprepared for and with his new friends/allies must seek help from some powerful gods.  A snarky doll named Gum Baby provides readers with almost constant laughter and although the slang can be a challenge the language feels real.  Another very strong debut in this category of middle-grade fantasy novels that we can't seem to get enough of.  My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Kwame Mbalia is a true heir to the Rick Riordan action-mythology-humor style of middle grade writing. The book was fun and fresh. I will recommend this book to readers who are ready to move on from the “I Survived” series, or who are looking for the next thing after Percy Jackson.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is a Rick Riordan Presents novel. Mbalia has created a world full of magic, African American folk heroes, and West African gods. Tristan is a likable character and connects with readers through the personal challenges he faces early in the book. Readers are then drawn in by magic, mythology, and humor as Tristan enters a new world and discovers that he is responsible for their pending demise. Tristan joins with a group of famous folk heroes, including Gum Baby, Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and John Henry in an attempt to save the inhabitants of this world.

Tristan is a character that is not afraid to acknowledge his weaknesses and fears, which is part of what makes him such a strong character. There are times where he demonstrates great strength and bravery, but at the same time he admits his fear. The ongoing feud between Tristan and Gum Baby helps to lighten the mood following some intense moments in the story. Tristan and his crew face challenges throughout the book, which add drama and suspense that will keep readers turning the page. This book is a must-read for upper elementary and middle grade!

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is an action packed story that tackles grief, guilt, and the power of stories. The story feels like it's talking to you. What better way to handle a book where the telling of stories is a magic in and of itself. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky takes oral storytelling and creating a world based on the stories we hear at nighttime. The stories that make the shadows seem scary and gives you hope in the darkness. 

Tristan struggles with not only the grief over the loss of his best friend, but also the guilt that comes with it. Not only that, but Tristan also struggles with the expectations of his family to be a successful boxer, especially growing up in the footsteps of his family. In many ways, Tristan feels direction-less. He feels torn between what people want and what he wants. Who is Tristan Strong?

This was a gorgeous book. It's going to do a lot of good for so many kids out there. Kwame Mbalia deserves to publish so many more books like this.

As submitted to Brain Mills Press on October 1st:

African mythology and folklore aren't exactly common knowledge. When you think of gods and goddesses, it's usually Greek and Norse gods like Zeus and Thor that come to mind. Now, characters and stories such as High John The Conqueror and Anansi are being introduced to a new generation through Kwame Mbalia's dynamic middle grade fantasy Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky. The book will be released on October 15th.

Tristan Strong is a 12 year old boy grieving the loss of his best friend Eddie and smarting from the loss of his first boxing match. While visiting his grandparents' farm in Alabama, he accidentally unleashes an evil haint and creates a hole between the real world and a magical world of African American folk heroes and West African gods. Now, he must work together with them and undergo an epic quest to retrieve Anansi's story box to save the world.

One of the best aspects of this book is how accessible the folktale and mythology characters are. These characters are modernized without losing their roots and inspire awe with their strength, humor, and sprinkles of humanity. One of my personal favorites is the character Gum Baby, who was originally a doll that the trickster Anansi made to capture a fairy. Although she is commonly known as the sometimes derogatory term Tar Baby, the author makes her a fully fleshed out character who is spunky, hilarious, and a clever fighter.

Another notable aspect of the book is Tristan Strong, the book's main protagonist. Due to my exposure to images of Black boys and men who were pressured to be hyper-masculine at all times, I was pleasantly surprised to see Tristan Strong be a bit insecure and emotionally vulnerable. It was heartwarming to see him grow as a character and come into his own as a hero as a person. One of my favorite parts of his character arc is Tristan slowly facing his fear of heights. Initially, he screams really loud at being in the air, but eventually he comes to realize there are things more important than his fear.

Besides Tristan himself, his friendship with Eddie, another Black boy, was wonderful. Even though he has passed away, Eddie lives on in a journal of stories and memories that become increasingly precious to Tristan. Tristan's flashbacks to good and bad times with Eddie are a key part of Tristan coming to terms with his grief and his journey as a hero. 

In fact, Eddie, Tristan, and Gum Baby are a few of the amazing cast of characters in this book. There is also Ayanna, a Black girl that has the makings of a strong leader and fighter. Another Black girl, Thandiwe, is a fierce warrior that reminded me a lot of the Dora Miljae from the Black Panther comic books. Although I would've liked to see more Black female folklore and mythical characters besides Gum Baby, I did enjoy seeing two of them embody Virginia Hamilton's The People Could Fly.

In addition to the characters, the world building was also very well done. Despite being a lot to keep up with without a map or index of places, the world of the African folk heroes and gods being a parallel of the real world was compelling, especially given how that world has allegorical references to post colonialism and slavery. Some parts of it were dark, but it is subtle enough that middle grade readers wouldn't be terrified. Also, the world building as it applies to the book's main antagonist was brilliant.

All in all, Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky was a dazzling adventure that will sweep you away. Reluctant middle grade readers will tear through the book's 400 pages for the action and magic, while older readers will appreciate the book's in depth world building. It is a grand start to a new series and a perfect introduction to African myth and folklore.

Wow!  Loved this book!  This book will be recommended to every one I know.  African American myths and legends, heroes and tricksters, this book has it all.  Tristan is having a bad year and is sent to live on the farm with his grandparents to "fix his problems."  On his first night there he manages to open a portal to a parallel world and allowed an evil force to enter.  I loved that this book didn't shy away from tough issues such as slavery and grief.  The storytelling is amazing and it really shows that a hero is not always the sword fighting knight on a white horse.

I love the exploration of different versions of black masculinity and of tensions between West Africans and African Americans--both of which are done with a light touch. Tristan is a very believable kid voice struggling with his best friend's death and disappointing his grandfather, who finds himself forced into being a hero to help rectify his own error. I struggled, though, with keeping track of characters and settings. The two girls were poorly differentiated, for instance. At first, I found Gum Baby's quips annoying, but I soon settled into their rhythm and enjoyed the levity they brought to the story. And while I was confused by many of the earlier conflicts (possibly because I'm not a strong fantasy reader), the final showdown was compelling and satisfying. It is a long, complex book for strong readers or those with a strong interest in the folktales or mythology, and ultimately rewarding.

"Nana used to tell me stories about how, over in Africa, before the horrors of slavery, people used to fly all the time. They'd whisper the powerful words, the phrases dripping in old magic, and shoot off into the sky ... Then came the chains and ships, and pain and whips, and the people's wings fell or were torn off. But the words of power were never forgotten."

While still reeling from grief and guilt over the death of his best friend Eddie and suffering the humiliation of having lost his first boxing match (disappointing both his father and grandfather), Tristan Strong is being sent to Alabama to his grandparents' farm, where his grandfather firmly believes that hard work will fix everything wrong with Tristan.  In the middle of his first night on the farm, Tristan wakes up to find a small creature in his room, rifling through his things with one object in mind: Eddie's beloved journal, full of African-American folklore tales. 

Desperate to retrieve the journal, Tristan follows the creature--who happens to be a sticky, sentient doll named Gum Baby--and, while fighting over the journal, punches his grandmother's bottle tree, shattering one of the bottles. This causes a hole to appear in the sky, sending Tristan into a parallel world called Midpass that is under attack from sentient shackles called fetterlings, poisionous insects that brand the skin, and other horrors that steal and hurt the people who live in this world. Worse, it appears that Tristan let in an evil haint when he broke the bottle and punched a hole in the sky.

As Tristan navigates this new land and meets legends such as John Henry, Brer Rabbit, and more, he also learns more about himself. Namely, he is an Anansesem: he has the storytelling power of the spider Anansi.  These powers of his could change the game entirely, and save the world. But is he the right hero for the job?

Another phenomenal title from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, focusing on African-American folklore, mythology, and essentially the development of African-American culture itself. I'm rather enjoying the rise of Afro-Fantasy novels, and am especially pleased with this middle-grade novel and the handling of hard subject matter such as slavery, but also grief, survivor's guilt, and the weight of adults expectations while still being a kid. And Tristan's power? It's amazing. Like nothing I've ever seen before. Tristan's strong, and a good fighter, but also knows how to wield words to make a difference, showing that there are different ways to be strong and be a hero.

I also am extremely pleased with how Tristan's interactions with the men in his family and the men in Midpass (particularly John Henry) differ, and by doing so subtly address toxic masculinity and the power of positive male influences in the lives of young men (a concept that is important in all cultures).

So. Read this book. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll wish that you had a doll that attacks people with sap as a sidekick. But, please, leave all punching holes in the sky to Tristan.

This latest addition to the Rick Riordan Presents family of books is important in several ways. It is a story with its roots in African mythology and features a number of characters that are somewhat familiar to North American readers from African-American stories. I think many readers may be somewhat ignorant of the origins of characters such as Brer Rabbit, John Henry and Anansi but that is part of the fun of this and other books in the series. We are  able to learn a lot more about the great stories and characters of many cultures. There are also characters that are new to me and maybe should not have been new. The real fun is in a story filled with quests and adventure as Tristan Strong is thrust into a position where he must save the world in a place that is far from home, at a time in which he feels anything but at his best. Tristan uses his brains and his brawn, learning the power of belief in oneself and of a good story itself.

When I first was offered a copy if this book it intrigued me - I remember stories of Br'er Fox, etc from when I was a little girl. They seem to have fallen by the wayside over the years, but they are no less important in history than any of the mythology books written for kids in recent years (thank you, Rick Riordan, for the fabulous introduction to Tristan's story, and for your contribution to children's stories of mythology!)

Tristan's story is a hero's quest, as are most dives into mythology. He is twelve years old, has just lost his first boxing match, to the disgust of his father and grandfather. He is suffering the loss of his best friend Eddie, and then he is sent to Alabama to spend a month with his grandparents. The adventure begins his first night in rural Alabama - the crickets are so loud, and what is that sticky footprint sound on his bedroom floor? It's a doll trying to steal Eddie's journal of collected stories and antidotes; but the doll quickly informs him she is NOT a doll, she is Gum Baby, and off she goes, into the night with Eddie's journal. So begin's Tristan's adventure into a unique world of stories told to him by his grandmother. As Tristan falls deeper into the adventure, he discovers characters from traditional African-American stories told by his grandmother; those of  Br'er Fox, Br'er Rabbit, John Henry, along with Ayanna, a girl his age, and a man named Uncle C, plus a host of others. Eddie's journal keeps disappearing, and  finding it is indeed a quest, but Tristan also finds himself fending off disagreeable characters and traveling on a hero's journey to find himself and more. Sometimes the hero's quest is more about learning to live with the hand that life has dealt us, and Tristan's story is no exception.

What a great addition to mythological reading and traditional African American folklore. Tristan's adventure is a reminder that each of us has a story hidden away inside of us, and it is a reminder that stories are what keep our histories alive.

I received an electronic ARC from Disney Book Group through NetGalley.
Refreshing to see a book on mythology other than Greek, Roman or Norse. Mbalia takes readers on an adventure exploring West African gods and African American folk heroes. 
Tristan is dealing with grief (friend's death) and family expectations and disappointments. A rather humorous character, Gum Baby, comes and steals his friend Eddie's journal. He chases him and gets angry when he escapes. Tristan punches the "bottle tree" and creates a tear between the worlds. He ends up in a world where these gods and folk heroes are real.  He has caused disasters in their world and released an evil haint when he shattered a bottle on the tree. 
The story covers his adventures to save their world and his own. Along the way, he meets and forms bonds and friendships that sustain him and help him heal his own wounds. Throughout the book, readers see him think about this theme - adults often do aas they choose regardless of the rules they give younger people. 
Some intense mature themes based on death and grief, family dynamics ( pressure from grandfather and father to be someone he's not), evil intentions and actions.
Mbalia provides humor throughout as well with his Gum Baby character. She brings light moments to more intense scenes.
Looking forward to future books in this series.

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 journal. 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 gods 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?- Goodreads

I am so happy I got the chance to read this book because once I got into it, I GOT INTO IT.

Let first start off by saying a lot of the mythology mentioned within this book I was only briefly familiar with. For instance, I knew the names and maybe a snippet of the story but I in fact did not know the details. My family did not sit down and pass these stories around, which is unfortunate because there was a lot of history to them.I found out about this by reading :) 

So I really loved this book. But I didn't think I was because I had issues with Tristan's parents and grandparents. Although they make brief appearances in this novel, I felt the grandfather was toxic, old school but still toxic. And felt that his parents just sent him away without much effort in helping/understanding him. I thought I was going to have to read through a novel of Tristan battling otherworldly things while listening to his Grandfather tell him how weak he is and how he needs to work more. I was so expecting the Grandfather to change his mind once Tristan does something amazing or he finds out the truth of Tristan's actions and then they would be friends. . .  I am so glad the author did not go that route otherwise I would have been disappointed. 

Tristan is a joy and I loved the fact that the author allowed Tristan to feel everything and to convey those feelings without himself being toxic. Tristan had a lot of pressure coming at him from all areas and at one point I was just like this child is fighting to save a world he didn't know existed, give him a break. I was so frustrated for Tristan. I just wanted to give him a hug and then encouragement. 

I loved how the author was able to bring new life to these African and African American mythologies. The pace of the novel kept you invested without you feeling the overpowering need to finish the book in one sitting. This read is something you take your time with and its what I did. I completely see not only middle school readers falling in love with this series but adults too. 

Overall, 

4 Pickles

Tristan Strong is a seventh grader mourning the death of his best friend and resentful of being sent to his grandparents in the country when his friend's magical journal propels him into a land where African and African-American myths--Anansi, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit, John Henry, gods and monsters, and more--come to life. But Tristan inadvertently punches a hole in the sky to this world, letting lose an evil haint that sets forth a destructive chain of events. Tristan discovers he is an Anansesem, a storyteller, and now must use his skills to repair the damage he's made, along with new allies, a hilarious, wisecracking Gum Baby and imposing gods and legends,  

This is a fast-paced, adventure- and heart-filled story that middle graders will enjoy greatly. It's the second book I've read in the Rick Riordan Presents series, and it's proven to be just as compelling. Highly recommend it!

It was very exciting to read a book that focuses on African folklore and myth.  In true Riordan fashion, it begins with some tragedy that morphs into a mystery.  The main character, Tristan, is believable, yet at times, clueless as to what is happening around him.  The story moves along with him getting into situations the get him into further trouble.  The antagonist is creepy and definitely exudes maleficence. The plot moves along as characters are introduced, however the book was easy to put down.  As a lover of folktale and myth I was disappointed with the story line.  It would be hard for some for my struggling students to keep all the characters straight, and therefore frustrating for them to read.