Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is the first book in a trilogy by Kwame Mbalia, published under the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint. If your kid has already burned through every Rick Riordan book and is looking for that same "snarky kid discovers he has powers" vibe, this is the gold standard.

The story follows Tristan, a seventh-grader from Chicago who is grieving the death of his best friend, Eddie. After a disastrous boxing match (a family tradition he’s not sure he wants to continue), he’s sent to his grandparents’ farm in Alabama to "get his head right." While there, a strange creature tries to steal Eddie’s journal—the only thing Tristan has left of his friend. In the ensuing struggle, Tristan accidentally punches a literal hole in the sky, falling into the world of Alke.

Alke is a land where African American folk heroes like John Henry and Brer Rabbit live alongside West African gods like Anansi the Weaver. But Alke is under attack by "fettered" monsters—creatures made of iron and bone that represent the trauma of the Middle Passage and slavery. Tristan has to figure out how to use his own storytelling powers to sew the sky back together and save both worlds.

Check out the full Tristan Strong trilogy here

Look, we all use shorthand to describe things to our kids. "It’s like Minecraft but with more fighting" or "It’s Bluey for older kids." Calling Tristan Strong "the Black Percy Jackson" isn't wrong—it shares the fast-paced, first-person, mythological-quest DNA—but it misses what makes this series special.

While Percy Jackson is about discovering you're a "chosen one" because of your bloodline, Tristan Strong is about the power of narrative and memory. It’s deeply rooted in the African American experience. The "monsters" aren't just random beasts; they are physical manifestations of historical pain.

Mbalia doesn't pull his punches. He explores how stories can be stolen, how they can be used to heal, and how a 12-year-old boy carries the weight of his ancestors. It’s a much more grounded, emotionally complex story than your average "kid with a magic sword" trope.

If you’re worried this sounds too "educational" or "heavy," stop. My kids don't care about "thematic resonance" when they're reading under the covers at 10:00 PM; they care about whether the book is cool. And Tristan Strong is objectively cool.

Find more books with strong Black protagonists

While this is a middle-grade series (Ages 8-12), it leans toward the older end of that spectrum due to the emotional complexity and some of the imagery.

The combat is frequent. Characters use hammers, swords, and "story power." There are descriptions of monsters made of iron shackles and bone, which might be a bit much for a sensitive 7-year-old. However, if they’ve handled Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or The Hunger Games, they’ll be fine.

The book starts with the death of a child (Eddie). Tristan’s grief is a constant presence. It’s handled beautifully, but if your family has recently dealt with a loss, you might want to read this with your child rather than just handing it to them.

The book references the history of slavery and the Middle Passage. It does so through the lens of fantasy (the "Bone Ships"), which is a brilliant way to introduce these concepts to kids without it feeling like a dry history lecture. It’s a great conversation starter.

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If you’re trying to move your kid away from "brain rot" YouTube content like Skibidi Toilet or the endless scroll of TikTok, Tristan Strong is a fantastic "bridge" book.

If you have a reluctant reader, I cannot recommend the audiobook enough. Amir Abdullah narrates it, and he gives every character a distinct voice—Gum Baby’s high-pitched screech and John Henry’s deep rumble are legendary. It’s a great choice for long car rides where you’d otherwise be competing with Roblox for their attention.

If your kid loves Tristan, there is a whole ecosystem of these books that tackle different cultures. It’s a great way to diversify their bookshelf without sacrificing the "fun" factor.

You don't need to turn reading time into a classroom discussion, but these are some "natural" ways to check in:

Get more tips on how to talk to your kids about what they're reading

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is a rare 10/10. It’s culturally significant, emotionally resonant, and—most importantly—a total blast to read. It’s the kind of book that reminds kids why we read in the first place: to go on an adventure that makes us feel a little bit braver when we come back to the real world.

If your kid is currently obsessed with Fortnite or YouTube, try offering them this as a "one chapter" challenge. Usually, by the time Gum Baby shows up, they’re hooked.

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