Tristan Strong Keeps Punching (Tristan Strong Series #3)

by Kwame Mbalia

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

This triumphant third and final book in the Tristan Strong series by Kwame Mbalia is just as punchy as the title suggests. After a whirlwind adventure, Tristan finally confronts his archenemy, King Cotton, for the last time in this epic series finale. With fantastical world-building and roots in West African folklore, Tristan Strong is a standout series perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the finale of Kwame Mbalia's trilogy, in which Tristan Strong faces off with his archenemy, King Cotton, once and for all, now in paperback.

"Imagine if you combined Anansi the Spider, John Henry, and Marvel into, like, one book."—New York Times best-selling author and Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander

After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan's hometown of Chicago. It's going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan's inner strength to deliver justice once and for all.

Shocking twists, glorious triumphs, and a cast of unforgettable characters make this series conclusion as satisfying as it is entertaining.

Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, soon to be a series on Disney+.

Complete your middle grade fantasy collection with these best-selling fan favorites:

• Rick Riordan Presents: Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
• Rick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda
• Rick Riordan Presents: Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
• Rick Riordan Presents: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
• The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368054874
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/05/2021
Series:	Tristan Strong Series , #3
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	137,123
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kwame Mbalia is the New York Times best-selling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor award. The book was also named to best-of-the-year lists compiled by Publishers Weekly, the Chicago Public Library, and the New York Times. The second book in the trilogy is Tristan Strong Destroys the World, and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching is the third. Kwame also co-wrote Last Gate of the Emperor with Prince Joel Makonnen and edited the instant New York Times best-seller Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood. Kwame lives with his wife and children near Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working several projects, including a new middle grade series. Follow him on Twitter @KSekouM.

Editorial Reviews

2021-08-16
The much-anticipated conclusion to the Tristan Strong trilogy.

It’s been two weeks since the events of Tristan Strong Destroys the World (2020), and Tristan is trying to find the many Alkeans “scattered across the country.” While searching for his Alkean friends, Tristan discovers children and spirits are being snatched and that his old foe, King Cotton, is free and has a nefarious plan that threatens the Alkeans’ and Tristan’s worlds alike. Fascinating new characters are introduced, but readers, sadly, don’t spend enough time with them; old friends reappear—readers will be happy to see the return of fan favorite Gum Baby. Sobering truths are balanced with humor and moments of wisdom throughout: “…anger uncontrolled is chaotic at best. At worst? It’s a time bomb. But anger leashed, anger harnessed, anger shaped and molded and given purpose? It can be a tool.” The pacing is choppy at times, but this story is just as action-packed as the previous two. Tristan, no longer a reluctant hero, continues to behave with reckless impetuousness despite experiencing the consequences of his actions, moving him from realistically fallible to borderline questionable, especially since the warnings he ignores are often from women and girls who suffer the consequences of his poor decisions. That said, fans of the series will enjoy this return to his story. Tristan and most other characters are Black.

A satisfying finale. (Fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews

"A satisfying finale."—Kirkus Reviews

"Ultimately a celebration of Black resilience, the novel offers up a rousing conclusion that will inspire readers to keep up the good fight, just like Tristan does."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher