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Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

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Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

A Sal and Gabi Novel: Book #1

by Carlos Hernandez

Narrator Anthony Rey Perez

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Length 9 hours 34 minutes

Language English

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Bookseller recommendation

“In some parallel universe, I am in middle school – yes, this book is so good I would even consider going back to middle school… maybe – Sal and Gabi are my friends, and we are trying to sift our ways through the difficulties and moments of beauty the world throws our way. Listening to this on Libro.fm in my car must have made me quite the sight. I laughed hysterically and yelled “Yes!” while air-hi-fiving all the characters who treated other beings with love and respect. (Thank you, Anthony Perez, for voicing this book SO WELL!) Read it, listen to it, and before you start, find the closest Cuban restaurant because you’re going to definitely want some Cuban food. Can’t wait for Hernandez’ next book! Linda”
— Linda • Cellar Door Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This book was so much fun! The narrator captures the characters so well. I was laughing out loud at the ridiculous situations Sal and Gabi find themselves in, while feeling deeply when confronted with real issues such as friends with hard home lives and sick infants. I love the union of practical magic with science and the unknown. One of my favorite listens on Libro.fm!”
— Emma • Content

Bookseller recommendation

“I listened to the incomparable audiobook of this delightful novel, and can't recommend it enough, especially for families who like to enjoy listening to books with their kids! This middle grade novel is funny, sharp, and wise, with incidental diversity of so many kinds without feeling like you're checking diversity points off a list. Anthony Rey Perez's recording is A perfect, his snarky inflection, effortless voicing of a variety of characters, and ability to slide easily between English and Spanish with native ease make him a perfect choice for this heavily Latinx and Cubano book. Sweet and funny interactions between middle schoolers whose intelligence more often than not gets them into more trouble than it's worth, a hefty dose of magic, and a very heart-wrenching grapple with grief and loss, both potential and real, make this a truly special book.”
— Gretchen • A Room Of One's Own Bookstore

Summary
About the author

Rick Riordan Presents a brilliant sci-fi romp with Cuban influence that poses this question: What would you do if you had the power to reach through time and space and retrieve anything you want, including your mother, who is no longer living (in this universe, anyway)?

In order to heal after his mother's death, Sal learned how to meditate. But no one expected him to be able to take it further and "relax" things into existence. Turns out he can reach into time and space to retrieve things from other universes--even his mom! He has promised his dad and stepmom that he won't bring back his mother anymore (it causes a lot of marital tension), but sometimes he can't help himself. Why can't they all just get along?

Sal doesn't talk about his ability with anyone. At Culeco, his performing arts middle school, he just chalks it up to being a magician. But when he meets Gabi, the student council president and editor of the school paper, he realizes she is someone he can work with. She could use his help, too, because she has a newborn brother on life support. But just because Sal and Gabi can do some interesting things to improve lives, does that mean that they should? When things get out of hand, it's going to require some truly out-of-the-box thinking to set things right.

Children's Fantasy

Carlos Hernandez has published more than thirty works for fiction, poetry, and drama, most notably a book of short stories for adults entitled The Assimilated Cuban's Guide to Quantum Santeria. He is an English professor at City University of New York, and he loves to both play games and design them. He lives with his wife, Claire, in Queens, New York. Follow him on Twitter: @WriteTeachPlay.