Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

A story that blends several genres, this book offers a historical perspective with a contemporary twist based on West African and Black American mythologies. It is a story about Tristan Strong, a seventh grader mourning his friend Eddie’s death. When a mysterious creature steals Eddie’s journal full of stories, Tristan must retrieve it, opening a portal to a strange world. Stylistically rich, this story is engaging for a Grade 6–8 audience, and it may be used to teach figurative language, plot diagrams, and powerful story beginnings. Suitable as a read-aloud or a novel study, students may be inspired to explore other stories from different cultures or a unit on storytelling.