Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, authored by Kwame Mbalia, is a thrilling adventure book that is perfect for children and adults alike. It tells the tale of a seventh-grader boy named Tristan Strong who is wrestling with the grief of losing his best friend. Deciding to spend the summer in his grandparents' farm in Alabama to regain his peace of mind, Tristan is thrust into a world beyond his wildest imagination.

One night, while struggling to come to terms with his grief, Tristan is suddenly pulled into the world of MidPass – a land that is home to African gods and African American folk heroes. Shocked by his sudden appearance, the inhabitants of MidPass, including shapeshifting animals, fiery giants, and legendary heroes, are equally surprised by Tristan's presence. As it happens, Tristan's unintentional arrival helps to unearth an age-old struggle that the inhabitants of MidPass have been fighting for centuries.

The world of MidPass is slowly being engulfed by a darkness that is devouring everything in its path. With the help of new friends, including former slaves and descendants of African gods, Tristan is tasked with the difficult mission of closing the hole in the sky, a doorway caused by his grief, before MidPass is destroyed completely.

With non-stop action and a riveting storyline, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is an excellent book that weaves in classic African American folklore and mythology into a modern-day adventure. Mbalia masterfully captures the pain of grief and the power of friendship and courage in his writing. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, mythology, or adventure.