Tristan Strong

Kwame Mbalia

After the death of his best friend and a devastating loss in the boxing ring, seventh-grader Tristan Strong is sent to his grandparents’ farm in Alabama to recover. There, a mysterious encounter plunges him into a fantastical world shaped by African American folklore and mythology, where legendary figures and dangerous forces are locked in conflict. To find his way home, Tristan must confront his grief, discover the strength within him, and learn what it truly means to be a hero. Fast-paced, imaginative, and rich with cultural storytelling, this adventure explores friendship, courage, healing, and the power of stories.

Kwame Mbalia

After surviving a harrowing journey through Alke, Tristan Strong returns home carrying the weight of what he has endured—and little time to recover before a new crisis strikes. When his grandmother is taken, Tristan is drawn into another dangerous adventure that tests his courage, loyalty, and growing command of his extraordinary powers. Blending African American folklore, African mythology, humor, and high-stakes fantasy, the novel explores trauma, family, identity, and the strength found in community. It is an energetic and heartfelt continuation of Tristan’s heroic journey.

Kwame Mbalia

Still grappling with grief and the responsibilities of heroism, Tristan Strong sets out with Ayanna on a perilous journey up the Mississippi River in pursuit of the powerful and elusive King Cotton. As they encounter legendary figures, unexpected allies, and dangerous enemies, Tristan must draw on courage, friendship, and the strength of stories rooted in African American folklore and West African mythology. Blending high-stakes fantasy adventure with reflections on history, identity, resilience, and the lasting impact of injustice, the novel offers a thrilling continuation of Tristan’s quest to protect two interconnected worlds.