Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: The Graphic Novel by Kwame Mbalia
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Web ID: 15415529Great story, the novel is better
Tristan Strong in graphic novel form is bold, fast-paced, and visually engaging, but it also sacrifices some of the original’s emotional depth and narrative nuance. While it’s a great introduction for younger or reluctant readers, the full novel remains the stronger version of the story. This adaptation introduces us to seventh grader Tristan Strong, who feels anything but strong after losing his best friend in a tragic bus accident. Sent to his grandparents’ Alabama farm to heal, Tristan’s grief collides with myth when a strange creature steals his friend’s journal—and a punch to a mysterious Bottle Tree rips open a chasm into the MidPass, a magical, chaotic world of burning seas, bone ships, and folklore come alive. There, Tristan teams up with African American folk heroes like John Henry and Brer Rabbit and must convince the trickster god Anansi to help him seal the breach in the sky before more is lost. 🎨 Why It Works: ✔️ Reluctant Reader Friendly – With vivid artwork and action-driven pacing, this is a great hook for middle-grade readers who may find the full novel intimidating. ✔️ Folklore Front and Center – African American and West African traditions take the spotlight in a way that feels both celebratory and essential. ✔️ Gorgeous Visuals – Olivia Stephens brings the MidPass to life with colorful energy and emotional range, giving the story a cinematic feel. 🔍 Why It Fell Short: ✂️ Truncated Storytelling – The adaptation leaves out key emotional beats and backstory that gave the novel its emotional weight. ⏩ Rushed Pacing – The condensed structure moves so quickly that character development and plot complexity are lost in the shuffle. 💬 Final Take: This is a fun, flashy way to experience Tristan’s world, but it’s no substitute for the original novel by Kwame Mbalia. It’s perfect for classrooms, libraries, and readers who need a more visual entry point into African American mythology, but I still recommend following up with the novel for the full impact.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing!!
It was soooo great visiting with these amazing characters again from 1 of my favorite all time series. 7th 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 & steals Eddie's notebook. Tristan chases after it--is that a doll?--& 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, & 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 & Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan & these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding & seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. It was so amazing seeing everything come to life with these beautiful illustrations. I loved my Gum Baby of course lol. This was such a fun, quick read that allowed me a much needed visit with Tristan & friends. Highly recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover & artwork by Olivia Stephens as well.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com