Book Series Review of The Tristan Strong Series
The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: African mythology, grief, boxing, magic, family
Tristan Strong does not feel like he can live up to his name. Strongs are supposed to be determined, resourceful, unstoppable fighters – in the ring and in life. After failing to save his best friend in a bus accident, however, Tristan feels none of these things. When he’s sent to his grandparents’ farm to recover from his grief, however, an accidental journey into the mythical world of Alke, where African American and West African folklore comes to life, put him to the test of his life – a test he does not feel even remotely ready for.
Over the summer, he’ll be challenged to save the inhabitants of Alke, rescue his grandmother from the terrifying Shamble Man, and save the world from the greatest enemy of all, King Cotton. To help him, he has the gift of Anansesem – storytelling – and the help of the Trickster God Anansi. However, he also has more rage, grief, and self-doubt than it seems possible for one person to hold. Will they stop him from fulfilling his destiny – or are they just what he needs to fulfill his potential? Only the Gods know for sure…
In this riveting trilogy by Kwame Mbalia, African-American and West African mythology, legends, and stories come to life in a contemporary fantasy that blends magic and real-world explorations of racism, injustice, and loss. Like the other books published by Rick Riordan Presents, the Tristan Strong trilogy does not hold back from exploring issues of personal struggle and cultural trauma, but the conversational first-person narration offers humor and warmth to balance the darker elements of the story. The adventure is fast-paced, holding you gripped until the very last page of the trilogy, and—without giving anything away—the ending is extremely satisfying. Strong characters, strong plot, and strong messaging—the Tristan Strong series is aptly titled.
Tristan Strong Punches A Hole in the Sky
Written by Kwame Mbalia
Ages 9+ | 496 Pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (2019) | ISBN-13: 9781368039932
Buy the Book
Tristan Strong Destroys the World (2020)
Ages 9+ | 400 Pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (2020) | ISBN-13: 9781368042383
Buy the Book
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching
Ages 9+ | 416 Pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (2021) | ISBN-13: 9781368054874
Buy the Book
About the Author
Kwame Mbalia is the New York Times best-selling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor award.The book was also named to best-of-the-year listscompiled by Publishers Weekly, the Chicago Public Library, and the New York Times.The second book in the trilogy is Tristan Strong Destroys the World. Kwame lives with his wife and children in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working on the third book about Tristan.
Follow him on Twitter @KSekouM.
The Tristan Strong Series was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like these titles by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Mythology, Magic, Grief, and Family.
