Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky facts for kids

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is an exciting fantasy novel by Kwame Mbalia. It was first published in 2019 by Rick Riordan Presents. This book is all about African American folktales and West African mythology.

The story follows a teenager named Tristan Strong. His family often wants him to be a boxer. After a sad event involving his friend Eddie, Tristan goes to live with his grandparents. He stays on their farm to help with his feelings. He brings only a few things and Eddie's old journal.

This book is part of the Tristan Strong series. It is the first book in the series. Like other books from Rick Riordan Presents, it has been praised. People love how it shows different characters and gods from myths. They also like the story and how the characters grow.

What is Tristan Strong About?

Tristan Strong is a seventh-grade boy. His parents want him to box. He is also dealing with the loss of his best friend, Eddie. Eddie left Tristan his journal. But Tristan feels guilty and can't bring himself to read it.

Tristan is sent to Alabama to stay with his grandparents. This is meant to help him heal. His grandmother is very strict and makes him work on the farm.

A Magical Chase Begins

On his first night, a strange doll-like creature steals Eddie's journal. This creature is made of sap and is called Gum Baby. Tristan chases Gum Baby to get the journal back. While chasing, Tristan accidentally opens a portal. This portal leads to a parallel world called Alke.

In Alke, his grandmother's stories about myths and folktales are real. Tristan finds himself in the Bottle Tree Forest. His nana had always told him not to go there. He then falls into the sea below.

New Friends and a Big Problem

Tristan escapes the sea and meets Ayanna, Gum Baby, and Chestnutt. He also meets the god Br'er Rabbit, who sadly dies in a fight. Tristan learns that he caused a big rip in this world, called the MidPass. He must fix it with the help of Anansi, an African god.

Tristan loses Eddie's journal again. He demands that his new friends help him find it. They learn that only Anansi can fix the hole. So, they decide to steal Anansi's famous Story Box. This will make him come out so they can ask for help.

Journey Through Alke

They travel all over Alke. They see how the Alkeans and Midfolk are divided. They also see how the Fetterlings, or Iron Monsters, are attacking both worlds. When they reach Anansi's Palace for the Story Box, they find something surprising. Anansi and the sky god Nyame have been trying to defeat the Fetterlings.

They travel to a city called Isihlangu. There, Tristan tells a powerful story to the city's council. This summons the Hull Beast, who leads the Fetterlings. The Hull Beast brings his Brand Flies to attack. Tristan and his friends escape with a resident named Thandiwe. But Chestnutt gets hurt, and Ayanna is badly injured.

Healing and Tricking an Enemy

To heal Ayanna, they meet High John the Conqueror. His magic is not strong enough. He suggests they go to the Golden Crescent, where Anansi lives. They find the Golden Crescent taken over by the Fetterlings and other creatures. After defeating them, Tristan faces the man who sent them. This man calls himself Uncle Cotton.

Uncle Cotton has Eddie's journal. Tristan makes a deal with him: the Story Box for the journal. But Tristan tricks Cotton, making him disappear for a long time. The Story Box breaks during this. Tristan must use his power as an Anansesem, a storyteller, to rebuild it. He gets help from Nyame.

Tristan heals Ayanna. He finds that the MidPass has been saved. Many who were missing, including Br'er Rabbit, reappear. Tristan figures out that Br'er Rabbit was Anansi in disguise. Nyame, High John, and John Henry help him trap Anansi in a cell phone. Anansi then fixes the rip in the sky. Tristan returns to his farm in Alabama, promising to come back soon.

What Comes Next?

The Series Continues

The story of Tristan Strong continues in other books. The next book is called Tristan Strong Destroys the World. It was published in October 2020. A third book in the series has also been announced. It was named Tristan Strong Keeps Punching in February 2021. It was released on October 5, 2021.

Graphic Novel Version

A graphic novel version of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is also being made. It is set to come out on May 3, 2022. Robert Venditti and Olivia Stephens will do the art. Kwame Mbalia will still be the author. This graphic novel will have 128 pages.