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We’ve all heard of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson--Books, movies and now on Broadway. I remember my cousin’s 10 year old introducing me to the Lightning Thief Series and loved it! While I didn’t use it in my class, Percy the pop culture icon made my unit on the Classical World that much more accessible to my students. I was equally excited when I discovered through a student the first of the Rick Riordan Presents stories that is taking the Percy Jackson demigod hero formula and transposing it on to other world mythologies. The latest installment, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky takes the formula to another level creating a young african american hero whose power is distinctly African—that of the storyteller (In the djele/griot ilk called anansesem in the story as in Anansi the Spider) . A power that has clearly been denied to African Americans for most of their history. Tristan Strong takes an extremely powerful and painful history and beautifully weaves it into the classic hero’s quest. The imagery is vivid, utilizing folklore and iconography from both the African and African American experience. To me it seems more like The Wizard of Oz than Percy Jackson except the allegory is much more insidious than Guilded Age greed. In addition, it is an extremely versatile text. It can simply be an exciting story to younger children, however for my students it can be an exercise in identifying all of the various cultural references woven throughout the story. In conjunction they will read excerpts from some of the folklore and adinkra symbology utilized.

About my class

We’ve all heard of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson--Books, movies and now on Broadway. I remember my cousin’s 10 year old introducing me to the Lightning Thief Series and loved it! While I didn’t use it in my class, Percy the pop culture icon made my unit on the Classical World that much more accessible to my students. I was equally excited when I discovered through a student the first of the Rick Riordan Presents stories that is taking the Percy Jackson demigod hero formula and transposing it on to other world mythologies. The latest installment, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky takes the formula to another level creating a young african american hero whose power is distinctly African—that of the storyteller (In the djele/griot ilk called anansesem in the story as in Anansi the Spider) . A power that has clearly been denied to African Americans for most of their history. Tristan Strong takes an extremely powerful and painful history and beautifully weaves it into the classic hero’s quest. The imagery is vivid, utilizing folklore and iconography from both the African and African American experience. To me it seems more like The Wizard of Oz than Percy Jackson except the allegory is much more insidious than Guilded Age greed. In addition, it is an extremely versatile text. It can simply be an exciting story to younger children, however for my students it can be an exercise in identifying all of the various cultural references woven throughout the story. In conjunction they will read excerpts from some of the folklore and adinkra symbology utilized.

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Past projects 1

Tristan Strong & African History

About my class

About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Ms. Twomey's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Ms. Twomey's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Past projects 1

Tristan Strong & African History

About my class

About my class

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.