Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Tristan Strong, Book 1

By: Kwame Mbalia

Narrated by: Amir Abdullah

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with 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?

©2019 Kwame Mbalia (P)2019 Listening Library

Tristan Strong Shows there are no limits and strong has many meanings

I originally got this for my girls but I ended up listening to the story nonstop and finished it in less than 24 hours. The story is so unique and tells stories that aren’t often glorified. Tristan opens up a new world just like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson but for someone who often has to tweak a story to feel like it’s relatable, he’s a breath of fresh air. Dealing with real life problems like grief and disappointment, I’d recommend this to any middle schooler (or adult) looking to be lost in a new world. Amir Abdullah is an AMAZING narrator. This is the first time I’ve listened to him narrate a story and he was a perfect choice. You will not regret this purchase! Can’t wait to continue the series.

Amazing story and performance

My 13 year old son and I listened to the Tristan Strong Audible and it may be one of the best we’ve ever heard. Amir Abdullah is an incredible story teller. His voices for the characters are perfection. The story by Kwame Mbalia is such a fun interpretation of the stories of Ancient African and African American Folktales. We fell in love with so many of the characters and really look forward to the other stories in the Tristan Strong universe.

fantastic

Everything about this is fantastic, from beginning to end. Kids and I loved all of it.
excellent narration.

A great tale

Was unsure what to expect when getting Getting this title. Unlike some of the others such as the Magnus Chase series I cannot to relate to it as much or that was my fear. The writing and narration truly bring this book to life. While it no doubt will have a greater appeal to those of African descent it is truly an amazing work.

Loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can't wait to share it and the sequels with my students.

Pretty solid

The book is pretty interesting and involves many different characters from fables but it can be hard to keep up with the names because some are African. I listened to the story at 1.7 speed because he talks a little slow. But other than that pretty good.

Awesome story... amazingly well told!

I loved this book from cover to cover. I just hope someone has sense enough to transition this to the big screen soon! I love all the cultural and historical references and symbology! There were also a great many one-line take-aways I want to add to my rolodex for when they're needed... things to say about loss and how to deal with emotions as well as just plain growing up for teens and choldish adults... I bought the whole series and can't wait to get started on the next book but I'll wait until my 7 y/o catches up... We've been slowly reading chapter by chapter each night at story time! I'm also going to make sure to add all the short stories referenced to add to our collection! I want to raise him with the stories his ancestors told and not the ones we were given over the decades that don't represent him... I'm so in love with each and every part of this story.

😍😍😍😍😍😍😂😂😂😂

Wonderful book listen to it five times amazing crazy book go baby it’s really annoying Ha Hah Hah

performance was great

it's just not what I was expecting but did like the characters thought it was missing something

Strong, Proud & Necessary!

Oh how I wish I had this book when I was growing up. But I’m happy my children will read it.

Instant classic. A must have for all Black families.