BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSTristan Strong is a grieving seventh-grader still carrying the weight of his best friend Eddie's death when a late-night chase through his grandparents' Alabama farm ends with him punching a magic bottle tree, tearing open a hole between worlds, and tumbling into Alke, a mythical land where the heroes and legends of African and African American folklore are real. With a fast-talking, sap-flinging doll named Gum Baby stuck to his side and iron monsters tearing through cities, Tristan discovers he carries a rare gift for storytelling that the gods of this world desperately need, but an ancient evil is hunting him for the very same reason.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a flying wooden raft rescue a boy from a burning ocean filled with skeleton vessels?
✓ Answer
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
A girl named Ayanna pilots a flying raft the size of a boxing ring and drops a rope to save Tristan and Gum Baby just as a bone ship is about to scoop them up. The raft carries refugees called Midfolk who are fleeing to the Thicket.
- First half
In what book does the hero discover a coastal city of golden palaces shaped like an arc by the sea?
✓ Answer
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
The Golden Crescent is a curved coastal city in Alke with rose gold sand, turquoise water, and palaces lined with massive yachts. It was the jewel of Alke until the iron monsters attacked, and now it sits deserted with people in hiding or captured.
- First half
In what book does a tiny doll wear a black cape and call herself "wind lightning" for a sneaky mission?
✓ Answer
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
Gum Baby sneaks onto the raft hidden in a supply bag, then dresses up in black pants, a black blouse, and a tiny cape for stealth. She announces she will be "wind lightning" and runs around making whoosh sounds while wearing the silly outfit.
- Second half
In what book does a boy conjure a ten-foot shadow giant that turns out to be a real monster?
✓ Answer
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
While storytelling to win over the elders, Tristan calls up Abiyoyo from shadows and dust. The story creature breaks free of the tale, slashes deep claw marks into the obsidian stage, and chases the diviner in circles across it.
- Second half
In what book do two boys meet over a graphic novel one of them calls dumb?
✓ Answer
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
Tristan remembers how he met his best friend Eddie at lunch in the library. Eddie criticized his caped superhero book and pulled out a battered leather journal of folktales, asking if Tristan's grandmother knew any old stories.
- Near the end
In what book do tiny forest fairies whistle to one another from a giant sycamore tree?
✓ Answer
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
High John kneels at the foot of the massive sycamore and whistles, and the Mmoatia answer him from the branches. The fairies have rippling brown skin like a stream and agree to heal the injured Ayanna and Chestnutt.
