★ 11/02/2020
In this spectacular follow-up to Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Mbalia offers a hard-hitting exploration of personal and cultural trauma twined with a well-paced adventure. A month after his return from Alke, Tristan Strong is still learning to embrace his new role as an Anansesem, a storyteller in possession of a Story Box—specifically, a smartphone—that contains the trickster god Anansi. When the malevolent Shamble Man attacks the Strong farm and kidnaps his grandmother, Tristan returns to Alke, which is still rebuilding following the adventures of his last visit—and under attack by the corrupting influence of the Shamble Man, who accurately blames Tristan for the devastation. To save his grandmother and Alke’s inhabitants, Tristan must face his greatest failures head-on. Mbalia again skillfully weaves mythological and folktale threads, along the way expanding his world’s reach, deconstructing Tristan’s role as hero, and examining the communal role of storytelling. Alternately humorous and heartbreaking, this installment sees Tristan entering a dramatic new chapter of his saga that will leave readers eager for more. Ages 8–12. Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary. (Oct.)
"Mbalia's universe continues to excite through sheer conceptual brilliance, nonstop action and adventure, and—let's be honest—the comical aggression of sidekick god Gum Baby."—Booklist
"The world building of this series is truly spectacular and easily comparable to the best titles in children's literature."—Nerds and Beyond
*"Mbalia returns with a sequel as impressive and even more compelling, offering all the power-packed goodness of the previous volume, with well-plotted pacing and a quick-witted narrative voice. A stunning conclusion will leave readers breathless and eager for the next installment."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
*"Well-paced—just like the previous installment—this sequel focuses on themes such as the meaning of diaspora and the effects of trauma, making for a more nuanced and stronger story than the first. Packs a punch."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
PRAISE FOR TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
"A brilliant action adventure rooted in African American lore."—New York Times best-selling author Jason Reynolds
PRAISE FOR TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
*"Mbalia's African American and West African gods (with villains tied to U.S. chattel slavery and the Middle Passage specifically) touch on the tensions between the cultures, a cultural nuance oft overlooked. Readers who want more than just a taste of Alke will be eager for future books. A worthy addition to the diverse array of offerings from Rick Riordan Presents."—Kirkus (starred review)
PRAISE FOR TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
*"Overall a stellar mix of the playful and the serious, the traditional and the original, this novel marks the emergence of a strong new voice in myth-based children’s fantasy."—BCCB (starred review)
PRAISE FOR TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
*"Perfectly paced, this cinematic adventure never drags, anchored by Tristan’s conversational narration and balanced by his struggle to cope with a friend’s passing. It brims with heart, humor, and action, successfully crafting a beautifully unified secondary world that brings the power of stories to glorious life."—Booklist (starred review)
PRAISE FOR TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
*"Tristan’s voice rings true and sympathetic, while the irrepressible Gum Baby steals every scene. Mbalia expertly weaves a meaningful portrayal of family and community with folklore, myth, and history—including the legacy of the slave trade—creating a fast-paced, heroic series starter."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Listeners who loved the first Tristan Strong audiobook are in for a treat—Amir Abdullah has returned to narrate the next chapter. Tristan, a Black seventh grader, has spent the past month working on his grandparents’ farm. When creatures from Alke break through into his world, Tristan and his grandmother fight them off, but then the sinister Shambleman steals her away. Tristan, with the reluctant help of the trickster god Anansi, travels to Alke to rescue her. Abdullah keeps up with the fast-paced story, propelling listeners from one action scene to the next while sensitively touching on the impact of trauma, the legacy of enslavement, and the diaspora. Abdullah’s lively characterizations are perfect—from the high-pitched and hilarious Gum Baby to the menacing Shambleman. Truly excellent. E.E.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Listeners who loved the first Tristan Strong audiobook are in for a treat—Amir Abdullah has returned to narrate the next chapter. Tristan, a Black seventh grader, has spent the past month working on his grandparents’ farm. When creatures from Alke break through into his world, Tristan and his grandmother fight them off, but then the sinister Shambleman steals her away. Tristan, with the reluctant help of the trickster god Anansi, travels to Alke to rescue her. Abdullah keeps up with the fast-paced story, propelling listeners from one action scene to the next while sensitively touching on the impact of trauma, the legacy of enslavement, and the diaspora. Abdullah’s lively characterizations are perfect—from the high-pitched and hilarious Gum Baby to the menacing Shambleman. Truly excellent. E.E.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
★ 2020-08-04
Tristan Strong is back in this sequel to Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (2019).
A month’s passed since rising eighth grader Tristan’s first adventure in Alke, the world where African American folktale heroes are gods who live alongside African deities. Tristan’s now an Anansesem, “a carrier and spreader of stories,” and after the Shamble Man, a new foe, kidnaps his grandmother and takes her back to Alke, he follows, determined to rescue her. Tristan heads off on an adventure that will challenge his reluctant hero-ness (realistically, this aspect of his character hasn’t changed) and force him to reckon with the truth: Though he saved Alke, he was also the reason Alke was in danger in the first place. Fans of the first book will cheer the return of old friends, like capable, reliable Ayanna; the ever quippy Gum Baby (who steals the show, as per usual); and cellphone-bound trickster Anansi, and appreciate the new characters. The ending is nothing short of earth-shattering, promising a fascinating next entry. Well-paced—just like the previous installment—this sequel focuses on themes such as the meaning of diaspora and the effects of trauma, making for a more nuanced and stronger story than the first. The human characters are Black with varying shades of brown skin.
Packs a punch. (map) (Fantasy. 10-14)
