Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe is a novel written by Carlos Hernandez.[1][2][3] It is a science fiction novel that is also about Cuban mythology. It was published by Disney-Hyperion in March 2019.[4] The book also won the Pura Belpré Award.[5]
Author | Carlos Hernandez |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Series | Sal and Gabi series (book 1) |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Disney-Hyperion |
Publication date | March 5, 2019 |
Followed by | Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe |
Plot
Sal Vidon is a young magician attending Culeco Academy. After his mother died, though, Sal developed the ability to reach into different dimension, and he and new friend Gabi Real have an adventure that spans multiple universes.
Characters
Main
- Sal Vidon: the fun-loving magician who can reach into other universes. He often finds the Floramaria Vidóns of other universes because his is deceased.
- Gabi Reál: the optimistic student president of Caleco Academy.
- Gustavo Vidón / Papi: a "calamity physicist" and Sal's father. Remarried to Lucy Vidón after Floramaria Vidón died. Often referred to as Papi by Sal.
- Lucy Vidón / American Stepmom: Gustavo Vidón's second wife. Ofter referred to as American Stepmom by Sal.
- Dad: The Final Frontier / Bonita: One of Gabi's dads who is a sentient class-nine AI.
- Yasmany Robles: a bully at school who has a hole to another universe in his locker.
Recurring
- Gladis Machado
- Floramaria Vidón
- Ignacio "Iggy" Reál
- Mr. Milgros
- Entropy Sweeper
Sequel
A sequel, also by Hernandez, entitled, Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe was published in May 2020. It continues Sal and Gabi's story as Papi's remembranation machine threatens to destroy the universe by closing the holes that Sal made in it. At the same time, Sal is visited by an alternate version of Gabi called FixGabi whose universe was destroyed by the remembranation machine.
Reception
The Laughing Place gave the book very high reviews, saying "This is a story about family, how Sal’s family moves on in grief and how Gabi’s family deals with the illness of the youngest member, Ignacio."[6]
References
- "Review of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe". December 16, 2018.
- "Starred review of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe". Publishers Weekly.
- Murphy, Jeri (February 1, 2019). "Sal and Gabi Break the Universe". School Library Journal. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- "Sal & Gabi Break the Universe". Read Riordan. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- SZALUSKY (January 27, 2020). "Rafael López, Carlos Hernandez win 2020 Pura Belpré Awards". News and Press Center. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- Gowsell, Bill (March 18, 2019). "Book Review: "Sal & Gabi Break the Universe"". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved October 21, 2020.