Riordan Presents: Tristan Strong and Sal & Gabi [MG Review]

Preamble

I read these two books as part of my role as a 2019 Cybils judge for middle grade speculative fiction. In these ‘brief thoughts’ reviews, I aim to highlight these books’ strengths while acknowledging my personal preferences. I toyed around while writing these (Do I need to write more from my more professional ‘children’s librarian’ perspective? Is it okay to write from a wholly personal perspective?) and ended up going for something kind of in between. It’s not often that I read a book which I think is objectively good but isn’t right for me. Usually, with books like that, I opt not to read them myself (I want to spend my personal time reading books I personally enjoy) and rely on reviews from readers I trust. Anyway, I wanted to share a bit of context for what you’re about to read. Thanks for indulging me 😛

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Interview @ Blue Willow Bookshop| Review @ Rich in Color | Video review by Seji @ The Artisan Geek | Review by Annemieke @ A Dance with Books

• I’ll be upfront: This is the first Riordan Presents book I read all the way through. (I haven’t finished any Riordan books, either.) I tried reading a few. The action-adventure narratives just aren’t for me. But I love that they exist for me to hand to kids who enjoy those types of stories. I love that make available diverse narratives from various cultures. (Even thought I sometimes wish they weren’t all so long, to be accessible to more readers.)
• Tristan Strong features stories and themes that middle grade hasn’t really spotlighted before. Mbalia crafts a contemporary story from both West African and African-American legends and folk tales. It is these unique stories that make Tristan Strong an innovative read.
• He introduces a wide cast of vibrant characters, with bold personalities and a passion for helping and protecting one another. I especially like Tristan’s clear voice and personality. He behaves like an actual kid and not an idealized hero. He navigates his guilt and grief over his best friend’s death throughout the story.
• I struggled with the length and repetitiveness of the story. I thought the climax and conclusion were the best parts. There were aspects of the book I didn’t quite grasp or experience as strongly as (for example) a Black American reader might, because I’m a white Canadian (as well as a grown up with little patience for action scenes…). I’m far removed from the African-American experience of slavery. But the cultural aspects Mbalia weaves into this popular middle grade genre are what make it an important book to have available.
• The Bottom Line: Another strong offering from Riordan Presents, I imagine. Its length may put off readers who would otherwise enjoy reading about Tristan Strong, but it should find its way into the hands of many happy readers. ★★★★

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Interview @ PW| Review by Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense | Review by Vi @ Mrs. Fig Reads | Audiobook review @ Locus

• If you read my above comments on how Riordan Presents books aren’t for me, you might be surprised to hear that I loved this book. Admittedly, it’s largely because Sal and Gabi Break the Universe diverges from the established structure of the action-adventure fantasy story.
• Sal and Gabi is essentially a contemporary fiction story, with a light dose of scifi. I would hand it first to a contemporary fan over a scifi fan (as I would hand Auxier’s Sweep to a historical fiction fan over a fantasy fan.)
• Sal and Gabi was a smoother read for me than Tristan Strong. I didn’t have to push myself to keep reading. I found the storyline less cyclical and more varied (i.e. it doesn’t read like an episodic action adventure story).
• Because of my personal preferences, I found the character relationships in Sal and Gabi more compelling and real (likely in part because the characters are every day people, rather than the dominant cast of god and folk figures in Tristan Strong.) I love the dismantling of masculinity and how Sal demonstrates how to be a decent kid and own up to his mistakes. I love how his relationship with Gabi develops. In another story, they might have easily become rivals but their personalities and their active choice to not bully lets them have a great friendship. Other great relationships depicted include Sal’ss own family, Gabi’s family, Principal Torres and other school staff, Yasmany, and Aventura.
• I count the slower pace of Sal and Gabi as its advantage, though another reader may count that as a flaw.
• Additional points that strengthen the story: incorporation of Cuban culture, living with diabetes (Sal), having a younger sibling in the NICU (Gabi), loss of a parent but a positive relationship with a stepmom, scientific rather than ‘fantastic’ elements
• This book is the first in a duology! The second book, Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe, comes out May 5.
• The Bottom Line: Readers of Riordan and Riordan Presents will find Sal and Gabi Break the Universe diverges somewhat from the established path, but still makes an excellent read. ★★★★½

Have you read any of the Riordan Presents novels? Are you a fan of middle grade action-adventure stories? Which would you recommend?