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Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

ebook
1 of 2 copies available
1 of 2 copies available
The best-selling and awarding-winning novel about a Black boy who helps folk heroes and gods through storytelling is now a dynamic graphic novel! "This graphic adaptation of the children's novel that began the 'Tristan Strong' trilogy will have plenty of appeal for readers who are interested in African and African American characters and folklore. The illustrations pop with energy and color."— School Library Journal The talented team of Robert Venditti and Olivia Stephens brings to glorious full color the novel that best-selling author Jason Reynolds called "A brilliant action adventure rooted in African American lore." 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? Find out by diving into this stunning graphic novel adaptation of the original book. Complete your graphic novel collection
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    • School Library Journal

      July 1, 2022

      Gr 4-7-Tristan Strong is living with grief and guilt because he survived a bus accident that killed his best friend, Eddie. When he is sent down to stay at his grandparents' farm in Alabama, he brings Eddie's journal along, but he doesn't realize until it's too late that this journal makes him a target. Soon Tristan meets many of the characters from his grandmother's folktales, such as Brer Rabbit, John Henry, and Anansi the spider, and he finds himself in the middle of a battle that could destroy the world. This graphic adaptation of the children's novel that began the "Tristan Strong" trilogy will have plenty of appeal for readers who are interested in African and African American characters and folklore. The illustrations pop with energy and color, and the off-kilter panels will pull readers into the surreal story. The creative reimaginings of classic folktale characters will keep readers entertained, and may also inspire them to learn more about the originals. VERDICT For fans of Rick Riordan-style mythology stories, these feature plenty of action and diverse characters.-Andrea Lipinski

      Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      July 1, 2022
      Grades 4-6 This graphic adaptation of Kwame Mbalia's groundbreaking adventure fantasy hits all the major plot points: Following the death of his best friend, Tristan visits his grandparents' Alabama farm, where his pursuit of a mysterious burglar leads him to accidentally punch a bottle tree, releasing an evil haint and tearing a hole into the world of Alke, home to the pantheon of African and African American myths, gods, and folk heroes. In Alke, Tristan must come into his own as an Anansesem, a magically powerful storyteller, if he's to save the people from an uprising of fetterlings and other evil, oppressive monsters. While Venditti's adaptation is an impressive feat of storytelling efficiency and artist Stephens visualizes so many memorable characters, the meager page count and sparse background art give little room for the original 496-page epic or its characters to breathe, giving the feeling of a rushed product. Nonetheless, the original's popularity will have readers queuing up for their turn with this version, and the graphic-novel space remains in desperate need of more Black representation. Stock up.

      COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from August 19, 2019
      In this triumphant middle grade debut inspired by West African mythology and African-American folk tales, black seventh grader Tristan Strong is sent from Chicago to spend the summer on his grandparents’ Alabama farm. His best friend has just died, and he’s lost a boxing match (much to his boxing family’s disappointment). When a talking doll named Gum Baby steals his prized book of stories—
      which has mysteriously begun to glow—Tristan pursues, accidentally tearing a hole between the farm and the myriad lands of Alke. There, he encounters
      legendary folk heroes such as hammer-swinging John Henry and wily Brer Fox, whose people are being captured and enslaved by terrifying monsters. To mend the rift, save the day, and return home, Tristan and his allies must seek out the missing trickster god Anansi, a journey that takes them to regions inhabited by ancient gods. As a reluctant hero—afraid of heights, grieving, and burdened by past failures—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. Ages 8–12. Agent: Victoria Marini, Cake Literary.

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