Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

Sal Vidon, a middle school student at Culeco Academy, has a secret: he can open portals to parallel universes. His talent for stage magic helps him keep this ability hidden, but his new friendship with student council president Gabi Real leads to complications. The story takes place in Miami at a school for gifted students, where Cuban-American culture and advanced science merge. Principal Torres runs the academy with a mix of high expectations and unusual teaching methods, while Sal navigates relationships with his father, American stepmom, and a school bully named Yasmany. Sal's ability to reach into other universes stems from the loss of his mother, and his attempts to find versions of her in parallel dimensions raise questions about grief and acceptance. His growing friendship with Gabi faces tests as they deal with the consequences of manipulating reality. This middle-grade novel combines science fiction concepts with explorations of family, loss, and cultural identity. The integration of Cuban-American elements and discussions of theoretical physics creates a unique framework for examining how people cope with change and form connections.

Readers appreciate the book's humor, diversity, and blend of Cuban-American culture with science fiction elements. The banter between Sal and Gabi resonates with middle-grade audiences, while parents note the mature handling of grief and family dynamics. Readers highlight: - Natural integration of Spanish phrases - Positive representation of Type 1 diabetes - Strong father-son relationships - Complex characters who avoid stereotypes Common criticisms: - Plot pacing feels slow in middle sections - Some find the multiverse concept confusing - Length (400+ pages) intimidates some young readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (580+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 Reader quote: "Finally a book where the Cuban kid isn't dealing with immigration trauma - he's just living his life and happens to be breaking physics." - Goodreads reviewer Parents note the book promotes discussion about ethics, family responsibilities, and accepting differences.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston A thirteen-year-old girl discovers her supernatural abilities and enters a secret organization where she must navigate family relationships while dealing with magical phenomena.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune A case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth visits an island orphanage housing children with extraordinary powers while confronting bureaucracy and found-family connections.

The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas A Cuban American boy who can communicate with animals moves to a new town and must use his abilities to save his grandmother from supernatural forces.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer Twins fall into a world where fairy tales are real and must use their wit and knowledge of stories to find their way back home while discovering truths about their family history.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller A girl faces Korean folklore come to life as she makes a deal with a magical tiger to save her grandmother while exploring her cultural heritage.

🌟 The book won the 2020 Pura Belpré Award, which honors Latino/Latina writers whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience. 🌟 Author Carlos Hernandez is a Cuban-American professor who teaches English at the City University of New York, bringing authenticity to the novel's Cuban cultural elements. 🌟 The concept of parallel universes in the story is based on the real scientific "many-worlds interpretation" of quantum mechanics, proposed by physicist Hugh Everett III in 1957. 🌟 The protagonist Sal's stage magic skills were inspired by real Cuban-American magicians and their contributions to performance magic history. 🌟 The book's setting, Miami's Culeco Academy, draws inspiration from specialized arts magnet schools in Florida, particularly those serving diverse communities.