Recently, I have had the time to really get back to reading the way I want to. I've been reading various books that I will review here later, but one of the recent stand outs has been Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. I originally saw this book being sold at a table at the Schomburg Center during the Black Comic Book Festival. I was set to buy a copy, but someone grabbed the last copy quick before I could get it. Ever since my goal was to get my hands on a copy and I finally went ahead and picked it up from Brooklyn Public Library. I finished it about two days ago and the ending was so worth the emotional roller coaster and now I cannot wait until the Second book comes out.
For some back story Rick Riordan has partnered with Disney to help various authors of color to start children's book series' based on the folklore from their cultures. The Rick Riordan Presents imprint of Hyperion has quite a few different ethnic and regional cultures represented in various series'. In each book Rick Riordan has written a heartfelt introduction to the author and main character. In the Introduction he expresses the need to get away from Greek mythology and how this imprint that he has started allows him to enlist authors to do just that.
Kwame Mbalia is a New York Times Bestselling author and former pharmaceutical metrologist. He is also a graduate of Howard University and now resides in North Carolina. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is his first novel written in partnership with Rick Riordan Presents. The second book in the series is due October 6, 2020. I will be patiently waiting (Not really).
In Tristan Strong Mbalia builds a world where mythology of the African Diaspora and from the African continent come to life. Tristan ends up in this world after a character, Gum Baby tries to steal his late best friend's Journal, which happens to be filled with stories of many of the Gods in Alke. You might recognize a few like Anansi, John Henry and a few more (I can't give them all away, that wouldn't be fun). In this world the heroes reside in various parts of the land, but then they find out they must come together to save Alke. The book has a lot more depth than you'd expect from a children's book underneath it all is a commentary about the relationship between Africa (Alke's mainlands) and the Diaspora (MidPass). Through everything he experiences along the way with the help of the Gods, Gum Baby, Chestnut and Ayana Tristan Strong is able to work through grieving his friend, make new ones and help save Alke. All in all its a good book to read for all ages period.
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