This book is fantastic and has everything you could want in a middle-grade folklore adventure novel. To date, al of the Rick Riordan Presents books have been good, but this one ranks as one of the best of the bunch. I loved learning more about African mythology and seeing some characters I knew only a little about before reading. I hope that there is a sequel to this novel!

I absolutely love this book 100%. When I finished, I found myself thinking that to my knowledge I had never read a better debut novel. I read the majority of the book in one sitting and kept having to tell people to leave me only for long enough to finish it! Tristan Strong is a very relatable seventh grader who starts the novel struggling with guilt and grief at the death of his unlikely friend Eddie and regret at failing his family's image by losing his first boxing match. From here the story evolves to include displacement from urban life in Chicago to farm life in rural Alabama, fissures into other worlds, African gods, folk gods, monsters, and a mysterious haint (because every good story needs an enigmatic "villian"). All throughout the tale, Tristan is finding himself and messing up EVERYTHING and EVERYONE'S life... or is he?

Since the book is on the long side, I have been recommending this title to my stronger middle grades readers and have so far gotten positive feedback!

A book with a cover as amazing as the one above should be magnificent and Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky did not disappoint!

Tristan Strong is not looking forward to spending the summer on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’ll try and recover from the loss of his best friend Eddie. All he has left is Eddie’s journal, where Eddie has been faithfully recording down stories that have been passed down through generations. But when the journal starts glowing and a creature attempts to steal it from Tristan, Tristan finds himself falling through sky into a world called MidPass. There, he meets the very gods that Eddie wrote about.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky was so well written and I really liked Tristan. He felt like such a real character and I think that many readers will be able to relate to him. All of the characters were so well written and had such strong voices, I really admired all of their complexities. The world building in Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky was also really well done. I think the mythology was so well written and many readers will just enjoy this fun, but slightly serious, adventure story.

I also really liked the way this book ended. It ended in a way that didn’t leave too many loose strings so I wanted more but without the agony of a cliffhanger. This amazing first book will make readers want to read more West African mythology and I am so excited for all of the readers who will be able to see themselves in Tristan.

Another entry from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, which publishes novels of contemporary kids interacting with various world mythologies. This title draws on West African and African-American stories. In some ways this had more depth than other stories in this imprint, as Tristan faces the death of his best friend in an accident and his own continuing feelings of inadequacy. However, this strength was also a weakness. The backstory meant it took awhile to become fully immersed in the mythological world, which ultimately did provide a creative adventure, and then the book ended with many real world problems still unresolved. While I wasn't overwhelmed by this book, I think it will be popular with Riordan fans.

*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley*

(but I wasn't able to finish it before the publication date so I bought a copy and finished reading the print version)

I really enjoyed the humor and unique storytelling of this book. Tristan is a relatable narrator because he has so many doubts about himself and he is truly a reluctant hero. But he finds his strength and really tries to do the right thing.

My only hesitation about buying this book is that it's really long. Many of my students just don't have the reading stamina for such a lengthy book. However, I will probably purchase it and hope that it falls into the hands of the right reader. The cover is certainly very attractive and I think it will pique the interest of a lot of kids.

It took me a shockingly long time to finish this book. It's all about mythology, featuring Anansi and Brer Fox and John Henry. Wonderful stories that I love, woven together and interwoven with more action than a Percy Jackson novel. Seriously, I think that's what got me was the action. I can see this so clearly as a movie because there were so many action scenes. The storytelling pieces, the emotional development of Tristan, it all does come back around at the end to come together really nicely. And even though it is the first novel in a series, it could absolutely stand alone because there is a real ending. The next book will be a full saga all on its own, with the background of the first novel.

Tristan Strong is sent to stay with his grandparents for awhile after his friend Eddie is killed in an accident. On his first night there, a creature steals Eddie's journal and Tristan chases him. He punches a whole into the ground near a bottle tree, breaking one of the bottles and tearing a hole into another realm. He and Gum Baby (the thief) fall into that realm taking the freed haint with them. Tristan finds himself in a world where myths are real. He meets John Henry and Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit. He finds out he is an Ananseem (a storyteller of Anansi). And he discovers that the realm is in deep trouble and that he is the cause of it. The hole he punched in the sky and the haint (Uncle C) that followed have stirred up trouble. Tristan has to work with his new friends to fix what he broke and save the world. Plus he might want to find a way back home.

I love the idea of this book, but man did it take me forever to read. It is long and packed with a lot of storytelling. I think it could have used some slimming down and I am afraid the audience is going to struggle to get through it. Five hundred pages is a lot for most middle grade readers even Rick Riordan fans. I loved all the African myths come to life, but I wanted a bit less. If this is going to be a series I think some of it could have been saved for sequels.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is the latest in a series of books presented by Rick Riordan. This book concerns African American folklore and West African gods. Tristan Strong has been shutttled off to his grandparents farm in Alabama. He has been swamped with grief since he was unable to save his best friend, Eddie, when they were in a bus accident. Tristan, already unhappy, isn't pleased with the arrangements, especially when he learns early mornings and lots of back-breaking chores are involved. Then, his first night at the farm is interrupted by a creature known as "Gum Baby" appears in his room searching for Eddie's journal - the last thing he has to remember Eddie by. Tristan gives chase and their struggle ends up tearing open - you guessed it - a hole in the sky. Tristan ends up helping John Henry and Brer Rabbit in their struggle against evil beings who are trying to harm the world. They need to work together to coax trickster Anansi out of hiding and convince him to seal the hole in the sky before the world as Tristan knows it is ruined.
I've already ordered this book for our library. Fans of Rick Riordan's mythology series' will love this book as will anyone interested in folklore and mythologyl. Great holiday gift for your middle-school readers.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is quite the book (and quite the title).. It has characters that are very likable and humorous. They easily grew on me and I found myself having favorites quite early on in the book.This story fits among Rick Riordan's books, as well as the previous book in the RR Presents series, Tristan Strong. It is an amazing, adventurous story with high stakes that kept me on the edge of my seat during the entire time reading this.

I found the plot fast-paced, but still laying all of the information that is needed. I love all of the details to this book, and everything was described wonderfully. I felt like I was following along with this adventure as if I was in the book myself. Mbmalia's writing style is definitely amazing, his prose is incredible. I found his imagination to be bright and vivid, and it definitely shows in this story. I also found the dialogue of this book to be HILARIOUS!

I enjoyed the adventure of this story and the twists and turns that take place. Just when it seemed the story was heading in one direction, there was a twist and it took off in another direction. Middle grade readers who enjoy plot-directed stories are bound to get a kick out of this one

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is one amazing novel. The fun I had while reading this book is out of this world. From the very start you get the feeling that something incredible is happening and that will move your world upside down. Tristan Strong is definitely one book you have to pick up if you love and enjoy fun, mythological, action-packed novels.

Tristan has been feeling kind-of ... not so well. After losing his first boxing match and losing his best friend in a bus accident, Tristan is not ready to spend a month on his grandparents' farm for a MONTH. Things start happening really early on, like Eddie's journal is shining with this green, bright glow and Tristan doesn't know what's going on. No one can see it, only him. And then when he arrives to the farm, the action starts. Every time you meet a new character, you get all these butterflies in the stomach. Kwame Mbalia is a master of telling this intricated story with so many layers, but he does it in a way that it feels so easy and fresh, and you're ready to have the time of your life. The story is flowing through the pages and every page you read, there is something new waiting for you that you won't expect.

I'm so happy this book is going to be released. Kids, teens, adults, we all need it. My heart keeps racing and I seriously want more from this. It's that excitement of meeting new characters to love, going on this wild journey that takes you places that you won't be able to imagine, and a protagonist that feels so much and doesn't know what to do with that, but this adventure will give him the answers.

Tristan Strong punches a whole in a tree and accidentally releases gods, monters and the adventure of his life. You won't be the same after reading this beautiful novel.

I think this is a book that children and adults will love.

Because I feel like you need to read the book to appreciate all the stories in it, I'm going to just talk about a handful of things without going too far into the plot.

We meet Triston Strong right away. He just lost his first boxing match and his father and grandfather are both disappointed in him. Strongs are fighters, but Tristan didn't do anything he trained for. Triston's best friend, Eddie, died in an accident and Triston blames himself. It's very clear that he's depressed and angry. His parents decide to send him with his grandparents to their farm for a month. Triston has to leave Chicago and go to Alabama where he will be mostly disconnected from the world. After Eddie died, his mom gave Triston Eddie's journal. They were working on a project together for school, but then Eddie died. The teacher wants Triston to continue it. The weird thing is that Eddie's journal now has a weird symbol and it glows. Only Triston seems to see it.

Triston's grandpa is strict and old school. He believes in hard work from morning until night. His grandma is a storyteller and mostly knits during the car ride. Triston knows that Eddie wrote down a lot of Triston's grandma's stories in his journal. He loved hearing the tales that aren't always talked about anymore. When they arrive at the farm, Triston points out some odd trees that have flashes of light. His grandma explains that it's the Bottle Tree forest. The bottles were thought to keep away the haints, evil spirits. She warns Triston away from there. When Triston goes to sleep, he's creeped out by a lot of things in the dark. He uses and light and things come into focus and nothing seems weird. That is until a doll in the middle of the floor turns its head and looks at him. Then she starts talking.

Gum Baby, the doll, is there to take the journal. Triston runs after her all the way to the Bottle Tree forest. Gum Baby is one of the stories Triston had heard growing up. Triston ends up punching a Bottle Tree and a bottle breaks. A shadowy figure came out of the glass. After that, Triston somehow ends up falling all the way down into water that looks like an ocean of fire. The ships start to surface and they're made of bones. Triston and Gum Baby try to avoid the ships and a flying raft with a girl, Ayanna, saves them. Ayanna tells Gum Baby that she had been gone for a year even though Gum Baby was only gone for one night in Alabama. When Triston broke the Bottle Tree, he ripped a hole in the sky and brought a haint down with him. Now Alke, this other world, is in chaos. The hole made things worse and they are being attacked.

Along the way, Triston meets other people, animals, and Gods from the stories he heard growing up. They talk about how stories are powerful magic and that Triston is a storyteller. It's up to him to help everyone survive, seal the hole, and get back home. During this time, Triston also deals with Eddie's death, his feelings of helplessness, and how to move on. Triston is a strong boy, but he also shows that depression and feelings of loss and anger are real, and ok. It's ok to be sad. It's ok to feel like a failure or feel blame. And it's ok to get help.

I hope this reaches a lot of middle school aged children that can read and appreciate the beautiful writing and stories throughout the book.

I gave this book 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

I loved the characters portrayed in the book, as well as the setting. Tristan seemed relatable and the pain of losing his friend was very realistic. I look forward to volume 2!

I am a huge fan of Rick Riordan, so when he introduced the “Rick Riordan Presents” imprint, I knew I could trust the books that were offered.

Even though I went into this book with essentially no knowledge of West African and African American mythology and folklore, I was instantly able to follow the story and the characters. I was impressed how well Mbalia shared who each figure was but it did not pull me out of the story. He neatly included the information in a very natural way.

Tristan and the bigger side characters all had a unique voice that I could just hear jumping off the page.

**4.5-stars rounded up**
Y'all, Tristan Strong is a hella ambitious debut that felt like an entire world being built in front of your eyes. I am really dang impressed with this!
Okay, now with the initial swooning out of the way, let's get into it.
Tristan Strong is a 7th grader who has had a tough time of late. After losing his best friend in a horrific bus crash, Tristan is struggling with his grief and feels like no one understands him.
His parents decide to send him to Alabama for a month with his grandparents to help with his recovery.
Yeah, he's not super crazy about the idea either. Nonetheless, he heads off with them with only his best friend's journal, Eddie, to truly remind him of home. On his first night the most bizarre thing happens. Some sort of little doll baby thing steals Eddie's journal from him and takes off.
Tristan gives chase. It's all he has left of Eddie. He needs that thing back. He follows the doll baby into some creepy woods and around a legendary tree named 'the bottle tree'.
There, as he is wrestling to retrieve the journal, he inadvertently punches a hole in the fabric of the universe, opening up a hole to another world, MidPass.
This is where things get crazy. I can't even go on to describe all that happens next, you will just have to read for yourself. This story is full of action and is steeped in African folklore, mythology and African-American history.
I was so impressed with the level of Mbalia's writing. So detailed, so funny, so engaging. All of the things. You may wonder why I decided to give this 4.5-stars versus a full 5 and really it boils down to the scope.
I think the book was a little long for my taste. I sort of feel like this story could have been broken down into two books. There were moments too, that there was so much going on, I felt a little confused.
However, with that being said, that is such a minor thing and totally personal preference. This is such a fantastic, important story. I urge everyone to pick it up!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Book Group and Rick Riordan Presents, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I greatly appreciate it. Kwame Mbalia is a gift to the world and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

If you're familiar with Rick Riordan, you probably know what to expect from this book. A normal kid finds himself thrown into a world of mythology. The difference with this series, of course, is that Tristan is not a demi-god. In fact, there aren't many gods in this book. These are mostly legendary figures with god-like powers. John Henry, Brer Rabbit, that sort of thing. So Tristan's tie to their world is more related to personality and internal traits than blood. He starts out as an average kid, simply dealing with big issues: grief, parental expectations, fear and anger. Mbalia is exploring not specific stories so much as the role of storytelling in culture, how it morphs overtime but still ties us to our past. With a solid cast of characters and just the right amount of complexity for a middle grade novel, I consider this one a must read.

It does suffer from some of the same things that debut authors tend to suffer from--trying to do SO much that it gets a little too much. But still I love love love love love this idea and I would totally read a sequel.

This was such a good read!! I will recommend it to every kid coming into my store. I can't wait to read the next book!

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Author: Kwame Mbalia

Book Series: Tristan Strong Book 1

Rating: 5/5

Publication Date: October 15, 2019

Recommended Age: 12+ (some violence, some scary moments)

Genre: MG Fantasy

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Synopsis: 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?

Review: Oh wow!! Definitely another must read from the Rick Riordan Presents book series! I loved the story and how well the book wove in African lore and stories. The character development was awe inspiring, the writing was amazing, and I just love Tristan so much!

My only issue is the pacing, but I’m picky on that. I felt the beginning was a bit slow but it quickly picked up!

Verdict: A must read!

I was provided with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In my opinion, this book is perfect for those reluctant boy readers. It reads quickly and the action is fast-paced, leaving no time for the reader to get bored. Tristan's voice is clear and I loved how it was like he was just casually telling you a story about what happened to him. I feel that many boys around Tristan's age will find him relatable, but he's just complex enough to give him dimension.
I also love that this book explores the African American tradition of storytelling. It's definitely an original idea as there aren't many books that explore that subject matter.
Overall, this is an excellent middle grade read!

If you enjoyed Percy Jackson, this one is for you. This is a truly enjoyable story about Tristan Strong, a teenager who is trying to deal with the death of his best friend and the guilt he feels. His parents send him from Chicago Alabama to stay with his grandparents. He brings his friend Eddie's journal with him. This book is full of adventure and excitement.

By accident, Tristan breaks a bottle containing a giant and tears a hole in the sky between this world and the domain of the heroes and gods. These are the heroes of African American stories, gods brought from Africa by the stolen people and kept alive through folk tales. Tristan's quest to retrieve the Story Box that had once been stolen by Anansi and then to repair the tear between the worlds leads him to many characters we may be familiar with, like Anansi and John Henry, as well as others we may not have heard of before.

Like Percy Jackson in his books, Tristan breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the reader with humor and understanding. I think this will be another successful book (series?).

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.