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  • Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

  • Tristan Strong, Book 1
  • By: Kwame Mbalia
  • Narrated by: Amir Abdullah
  • Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (822 ratings)

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Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

By: Kwame Mbalia
Narrated by: Amir Abdullah
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods.

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?

©2019 Kwame Mbalia (P)2019 Listening Library

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What listeners say about Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

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awesome

This story was amazing. We listened to it on our trip from Missouri to Alabama and it was perfect. Amir Abdullah was on of the best narrators I have listened to ever. and if you are like me that makes or breaks a book on audible. So the book is awesome and the narration took this story to another level.

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Loved it!

I didn't want to put it down. Great book for adults or for young people.

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exceptional!

the writing was exceptional and the narration is the best we've ever heard. my daughter and I loved listening to every moment!

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Strong indeed

Beautifully written and fantastic narration. I can't wait until the next book comes out.

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Hands-down, the BEST narration ever!

The narrator added so much to this already brilliantly written story! My middle school aged son and I were able to enjoy this book to the fullest because of this beautifully thought out narration. My favorite character is Gum Baby! The voice that was given to her was ON POINT! I laughed so much at her character throughout this story, although she terrified and annoyed me in the beginning of the story (lol). I'm excited to begin reading the next one tomorrow!

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!😍AMAZING😍!

It so interesting that... that... THAT I WANT 10 DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRISTSAN STRONG 📚BOOKS📚

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Punching a whole in your heart

Amir's voice does this book justice and allows the reader fully jump into this book. I laughed, cried, and learned; it was amazing. I highly recommend and can't wait to teach this book to my students!

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Serendipitous

What a wonderful stumble I made a couple of days ago when I found this book!! From the wonderful and imaginative story to the reader of the book!! What a wonderful storyteller he is himself, he truly makes the story come to life and you find yourself really laughing out loud! His voices are fun and funny without being too silly!! I’ve already bought the 2nd book (also read by the same person)! I’m looking forward to sharing this with my son in a couple of years. Thank you for the story! It was a beautiful gift that was given by this author; this storyteller!!

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Amazing

I listen to this book every night. Reading the sequel now. Overall an amazing read.❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Not what I was expecting

This book was not what I was expecting, but I’m glad I listened to it. It was wonderful and I can’t wait to get the next book.

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