Sal & Gabi Break the Universe

"Sal & Gabi Break the Universe" introduces Sal Vidon, a Cuban-American boy with the extraordinary ability to reach into alternate dimensions, a power he developed after his mother's death. When he meets the observant and pragmatic Gabi Real, they form an unlikely friendship, navigating school, family, and the complexities of Sal's unique gift. The story blends contemporary realistic fiction with science fiction and Cuban mythology, exploring themes of grief, family bonds, friendship, and cultural identity. It's a fast-paced, humorous adventure that tackles sensitive topics like loss and illness with warmth and wonder, perfect for middle-grade readers.

How did a raw chicken get inside Yasmany's locker? When Sal Vidon meets Gabi Real for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for the third time in three days, and it's still the first week of school. Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany, who just picked a fight with Sal. She is determined to prove that somehow, Sal planted a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker, even though nobody saw him do it and the bloody poultry has since mysteriously disappeared. Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess except maybe Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk.