
Reach for this book when your child is processing a deep loss and trying to find a way to navigate a new family dynamic or a world that feels fundamentally changed. It is a brilliant, high energy sci-fi adventure that centers on Sal, a boy who can pull objects and people from other universes, and Gabi, his brilliant and supportive best friend. While the plot is filled with hilarious robots and multiverse hijinks, the heart of the story explores the complex grief of losing a mother and the beauty of building a blended family. It is a perfect choice for middle grade readers who love humor and science but need a safe space to explore heavy emotions. The book normalizes the messy process of healing and emphasizes the importance of community and forgiveness.
Frequent discussion of the death of a mother and the process of mourning.
Death of a parent (past), grief and the desperation to undo loss, the destruction of an entire world (off-screen but discussed), and child disappearance.
A middle-grade reader (ages 9 to 12) who loves fast-paced sci-fi but is also working through the long-term aftermath of a major loss. It is perfect for a child who feels like they have to be 'the fixer' in their family.
This book can be read cold, but parents should be ready to discuss how grief can make people act impulsively. The concept of 'Rogue Gabi' provides a good opening to talk about how anger and loss can change a person. A child expressing that they would do anything, even 'break the rules of the world,' to see a lost loved one again, or a child struggling to accept a new step-parent despite loving them.
Younger readers will focus on the slapstick humor, the robots, and the cool factor of the multiverse. Older readers will resonate with Sal's internal struggle between honoring his mother's memory and moving forward with his new family.
It masterfully combines hard sci-fi concepts with a warm, Cuban-influenced family dynamic. Unlike many grief stories that are quiet and somber, this is loud, funny, and imaginative while remaining emotionally honest.
Sal Vidon is a teen with the ability to reach into other dimensions and pull out objects or people. While he uses this power to cope with the death of his mother, his father, a scientist, warns that these wormholes are destroying reality. In this sequel, a rogue version of Gabi from a destroyed universe threatens their world, while a classmate goes missing through a locker portal. Sal and Gabi must balance multiverse physics with the complexities of their evolving, blended family life at Culeco Academy.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review