Kwame Mbalia

Kwame Mbalia is an American children's book author best known for writing middle-grade fantasy novels that incorporate African and African American mythology and folklore. His debut novel "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" was published in 2019 through Rick Riordan Presents, becoming a New York Times bestseller and winning an American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. The book launched a trilogy following the adventures of seventh-grader Tristan Strong as he interacts with African American folk heroes and West African gods. Mbalia has also authored "Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood," an anthology featuring contributions from multiple Black authors. His other works include the "Last Gate of the Emperor" series, co-written with Prince Joel Makonnen, which blends Ethiopian folklore with science fiction elements. Beyond writing, Mbalia advocates for diverse representation in children's literature and frequently speaks at schools and literary events. His work consistently explores themes of heritage, identity, and coming-of-age while making mythology accessible to young readers.

Readers appreciate Mbalia's skill at making African and African American folklore engaging for middle-grade audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity. Many note his ability to balance action-packed scenes with emotional depth. Readers specifically praise: - Humor and witty dialogue that appeals to both children and adults - Complex characters that deal with real issues like grief - Creative integration of historical figures and folk heroes - Fast-paced plotting that maintains interest Common criticisms include: - Some pacing issues in later trilogy books - Occasional confusion with multiple mythological characters - Dense worldbuilding that can overwhelm younger readers Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Tristan Strong series averages 4.3/5 from 12,000+ ratings - Amazon: 4.8/5 average across all books - Common Sense Media: 5/5 for age-appropriate content One reader noted: "My 11-year-old couldn't put it down and kept sharing interesting facts about John Henry and Brer Rabbit." Another commented: "Finally, mythology that reflects our family's heritage."

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky - A middle-grade fantasy novel where seventh-grader Tristan Strong accidentally creates a hole between worlds and must team up with African American folk heroes and West African gods to seal the breach.

Tristan Strong Destroys the World - In this sequel, Tristan must return to the world of story to rescue his grandmother and face even greater mythological threats.

Tristan Strong Keeps Punching - The trilogy conclusion follows Tristan as he confronts his final challenge to save both our world and the world of African American folk heroes.

Last Gate of the Emperor (with Prince Joel Makonnen) - A science fiction adventure blending Ethiopian folklore with futuristic technology, following a young boy named Yared through the streets of Addis Prime.

Last Gate of the Emperor: The Royal Guards (with Prince Joel Makonnen) - The second installment continues Yared's story as he navigates his new royal responsibilities while protecting his kingdom from mounting threats.

Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood (as editor) - An anthology collection featuring stories from various Black authors exploring different aspects of Black boyhood and youth experiences.

Rick Riordan writes middle-grade fantasy series that blend contemporary settings with mythology, following young heroes who discover connections to ancient gods and legends. His Percy Jackson series and Kane Chronicles incorporate Greek and Egyptian mythology respectively.

Tracey Baptiste creates middle-grade fantasy based on Caribbean folklore and mythology in her Jumbies series. She centers young protagonists who confront supernatural beings while exploring their cultural heritage.

Roshani Chokshi writes fantasy novels incorporating Hindu mythology and folklore through her Aru Shah series. Her work follows middle-grade protagonists who navigate relationships with deities while discovering their own divine connections.

Yoon Ha Lee combines Korean mythology with space opera elements in his Dragon Pearl series for middle-grade readers. His work features shapeshifting characters and mythological creatures in science fiction settings.

Carlos Hernandez writes stories blending Cuban folklore with science fiction elements in his Sal and Gabi series. His books feature young protagonists who use both cultural knowledge and scientific principles to solve problems.