Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe

Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe follows two middle school students at Culeco Academy who must prevent their universe from collapsing. Sal, a young magician with the ability to access parallel universes, discovers his power has vanished just as an alternate version of his friend Gabi arrives with a warning. The story centers on Sal's father's experimental AI remembranation machine, which may threaten the fabric of multiple universes. Sal and Gabi must work together across dimensions while navigating their daily lives at school, their families, and their growing friendship. The novel combines Cuban-American culture, science fiction elements, and middle school dynamics into a fast-paced adventure. Set in Miami, the story features artificial intelligence, parallel universes, and both traditional and non-traditional family structures. This middle-grade science fiction novel explores themes of friendship, identity, and the connections between family members - both biological and chosen. The story addresses how people navigate complex relationships while facing extraordinary circumstances.

Readers appreciate the book's blend of Cuban-American culture, science fiction concepts, and middle-grade humor. Parents note it teaches complex topics like parallel universes and grief while remaining accessible to young readers. Liked: - Strong character development, especially Sal and Gabi's friendship - Representation of Cuban culture and food - Balance of serious themes with humor - Positive portrayal of blended families - Authentic dialogue between characters Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers said the science concepts were hard to follow - Those who hadn't read book 1 felt confused by references Ratings: Goodreads: 4.31/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (240+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 Reader Quote: "The characters feel like real middle schoolers dealing with extraordinary circumstances, not mini-adults." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 The book incorporates real quantum physics concepts like the Many-Worlds Interpretation, making complex science accessible to young readers 🌟 Author Carlos Hernandez is a professor of English at City University of New York, where he teaches creative writing and game design 🌟 The series skillfully integrates authentic Cuban-American elements, including traditional foods like pastelitos and phrases in Spanish, reflecting the author's heritage 🌟 The book won the 2020 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, recognizing its outstanding contribution to fantasy literature 🌟 The character Gabi Reál was inspired by the strong Latina women in Hernandez's life, including his mother and sister, who helped shape his understanding of leadership and determination