---
product_id: 109785304
title: "Rick Riordan Presents: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe-A Sal and Gabi Novel, Book 1"
price: "161.98 DT"
currency: TND
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reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/109785304-rick-riordan-presents-sal-and-gabi-break-the-universe-sal
store_origin: TN
region: Tunisia
---

# Rick Riordan Presents: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe-A Sal and Gabi Novel, Book 1

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## Description

Best-selling 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)? 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. A sassy entropy sweeper, a documentary about wedgies, a principal who wears a Venetian bauta mask, and heaping platefuls of Cuban food are just some of the delights that await in his mind-blowing novel gift-wrapped in love and laughter.

Review: Mold-Breaking Middle Grade adventure - I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to call Carlos Hernandez’ Sal & Gabi Break the Universe a mold-breaker. Any expectations you bring to the book based on the publishing line it’s a part of, the genre it falls into, or the age reader it’s aimed at, are likely to be mistaken. The main characters also don’t fall into expected roles from similar stories. Rick Riordan’s various series have been mythology-based, and most of the initial titles in the Rick Riordan Presents line have stayed in that mold while lifting up the voices of marginalized peoples to tell stories from their own cultures. In Sal & Gabi, Hernandez makes full use of his heritage, but there’s almost no mention of mythology or gods. Instead, the author immerses us in modern Cuban-American language and cuisine, and … sleight-of-hand magic? Yep. Sal’s goal is to be a different kind of hero: a magician who brings joy to sick kids stuck in hospital just like the magician who did it for him. There’s no demi-god lineage, no monsters waiting to attack. The little bit of the past that impacts Sal’s present is not a mythological past but rather his own. In fact, there are no fantasy/magic elements at all other than Sal’s sleight-of-hand. The book is, I think, the first under the RRP umbrella to be science fiction. But rather than the far-future we often see in MG and YA books, this is a near future that is recognizably our own world with some hints of advanced (if not openly available) technology. And rather than dystopia, we get loving families, helpful adults, and a sense of community and hope. Even at the book’s darkest moments, and there are a couple, I didn’t feel despondent or mired down. Hernandez also manages to avoid one of the problems I struggle with in the few middle-grade books I’ve read, including the early Percy Jackson books (as much as I loved them): his characters act and sound like thirteen-year-olds. So many MG characters either read much younger than their supposed age, or much older. Reading the banter between Sal, Gabi, and their classmates, I felt like I was listening to my own nieces and nephews. At first, the characters seem like they’re going to fall into traditional roles: Sal as the titular chosen one, Gabi as the too-smart-for-her-peers outcast, Yasmany as the bully and “big bad.” But here again Hernandez subverts expectations. Yes, Sal can do something remarkable (rip holes between universes and pulls things – and people – into his own), but he’s not a Chosen One. Nobody is spouting prophecies about what he can and will do, and even the most scientifically-adept characters in the book don’t know why Sal can do what he can do, or what effect it will have on the fabric of the multiverse. Gabi is smart and sassy and a little bit feared, but also well-liked by her peers. Yasmany starts out as the bully, but he’s neither a snob nor a jerk, and his character shows immediate depth that characters like Draco Malfoy only wish they could have exhibited in the first book of a series. Not only is Yasmany not the “big bad,” the book doesn’t have a “big bad” at all! It’s so refreshing to read a MG/YA book where the conflict is situational rather than staged, and where the tension comes from wondering what new situation is going to complicate things rather than wondering when the hero is going to punch the villain. Other than the initial Sal-Yasmany encounter, which never gets as violent as it threatens to, I’m not sure there’s a single fight scene in the entire book. Sal, Gabi, Yasmany, and their classmates enjoy school, are creative without being falsely eccentric, and are polite even when they’re arguing. Sal’s and Gabi’s parents are involved in their kids’ lives rather than absent, curious and supportive without being pushovers. The other authority figures (principal, custodian, teachers, nurses) are likeable and engaged rather than stern and unyielding roadblocks. Again, there’s that sense of family and community, with good (but not untroubled) relationships almost all around. And people actually apologize when they make mistakes or false assumptions. Anyone who has heard Carlos read any portion of this book at various conventions and reading programs over the past year or two will not be surprised at the amount of humor the book holds. Everything from slapstick to fart jokes to more intricate wordplay is present, but the characters never engage in humor that is denigrating, embarrassing or vulgar. Even the snark and sarcasm teens are known for is delivered gently. Finally, I have to acknowledge how empowering it has to be for Cuban-American kids to read this book and “hear” their own language, the beats and rhythms and slang. There were even bits of dialogue completely in Spanish with no direct translation into English. I don’t read or speak Spanish but was able to pick up context clues and go back later to look up translations, but I was happy those moments exist in the text, because they will reach the intended audience and make those young readers smile and feel represented. Also: the sequel has been announced, and I cannot wait to find out how Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe and what happens before they do.
Review: Great read! - --- “Do your worst, multiverse,” I told my reflection. “I’m ready for you.” --- I love Rick Riordan’s books so I was super excited about the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. This was actually my first read in the imprint and I loved it! I was extra excited because I myself am Hispanic and I don’t read very many books by Hispanic authors/with Hispanic protagonists, so this was awesome! And it was a lot of fun! From the first page I knew I would love this—it was so funny! The characters find themselves in wacky situations, and just the fact that the multiverse is a thing is SO cool! --- “We don't know what calamitrons will do to human tissue. They could act like radiation and make you sick, or worse.” “Or maybe they'll give me superpowers!” “Dude,” Gabi cacaseca’ed, “you can steal stuff from other universes. You're good on superpowers.” --- One fun thing about Sal is that he’s a magician (he’s a manipulative little punk and it’s kinda great 😂). It’s funny cause he also has the ability to pull things from other dimensions, which is a different kind of magic altogether! Speaking of which, we never really find out WHY he is able to do this. Maybe it’s just me, but this is something I would like to know. I’m curious, okay! Lol. But this ability is super cool! The one thing we do know is that he was struggling with his mother’s death, and that’s sort of when this all began. And speaking of his mom, his stepmom is pretty cool. I love that they have such a healthy relationship. The cliché of the kids not getting along with their stepparent is boring and old, but Sal and his stepmom get along really well and I loved that. And then Sal’s dad is a physicist! As for feisty Gabby, I also loved her! One thing that confused me was that she had a lot of dads? I’m not sure what that was all about and it was never explained. I’m sure I’m missing something there, but I don’t know 😅 One relationship that was very surprising and intriguing was Sal and Gabi’s relationship with Yasmany, a bully. The relationship and even character development here was great! He has his own terrible issues going on at home, and we saw what a good friend Gabi is . She is just so caring and I love that about her 🥰 Another thing I loved was learning about Cuban culture. I’m Hispanic, as I mentioned, but I’m Mexican American. I am not very familiar with Cuban culture, but I presumed there were a lot of similarities. And there were! But there were also a lot of interesting differences and some phrases and sayings I had never heard before. So yeah, that was very fun! And speaking of that, there was quite a bit of Spanish in here, which I appreciated, and the book did a good job of translating without it feeling like it was hitting you over the head with it. There was also a lot of Spanglish which I loved because I myself speak Spanglish 😂 The book starts off with a chicken in a locker. Sal accidentally brings it from another universe, but as a cover he claims it was just a magic trick since, you know, he’s a magician. BUT because of this “trick,” he is called a ‘brujo’ at school, which is basically a witch. Now, I personally think witches are cool—they are one of my favorite supernatural creatures, BUT in my culture, brujeria ALWAYS has a negative connotation attached to it. Always. And apparently this is also the case in Cuban culture, which totally sucks for Sal. But I thought that was really interesting just seeing all these similarities between Mexican and Cuban cultures. Another similarity I hardcore related to was this: --- "Like any proper Cuban gathering, it took the adults another forty-five minutes of conversation to actually say good-bye." --- YES! This is my mom at every family gathering EVER! 🤣 Also the whole thing with the food... There was one part when Sal meets Gabi’s family and they feed him a heaping plate of food. At a Hispanic party, I promise you you will never go hungry. And they will feed you even if you’re not hungry. Just take the food, don’t refuse it... it’s the best thing you can do for yourself 😂 (Again, my mom, literally 🤣) Suffice to say, I really loved this! I was a little surprised because as I was reading this I found that this book was more character-driven, not plot-driven, which is what I’m used to/prefer. But it’s a good thing I loved these characters and their relationships with one another. I also loved the setting and the culture and the multiverses and the wacky situations the characters found themselves in... It was such a great book! And that ending was intense! I’m interested to see how they’re gonna, you know, fix the universe 😉

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #884,296 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #52 in Children's Hispanic & Latino Books #264 in Children's Parents Books #1,134 in Children's Science Fiction Books (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,215 Reviews |

## Images

![Rick Riordan Presents: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe-A Sal and Gabi Novel, Book 1 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/917LiT4jckL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mold-Breaking Middle Grade adventure
*by A***O on March 15, 2019*

I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to call Carlos Hernandez’ Sal & Gabi Break the Universe a mold-breaker. Any expectations you bring to the book based on the publishing line it’s a part of, the genre it falls into, or the age reader it’s aimed at, are likely to be mistaken. The main characters also don’t fall into expected roles from similar stories. Rick Riordan’s various series have been mythology-based, and most of the initial titles in the Rick Riordan Presents line have stayed in that mold while lifting up the voices of marginalized peoples to tell stories from their own cultures. In Sal & Gabi, Hernandez makes full use of his heritage, but there’s almost no mention of mythology or gods. Instead, the author immerses us in modern Cuban-American language and cuisine, and … sleight-of-hand magic? Yep. Sal’s goal is to be a different kind of hero: a magician who brings joy to sick kids stuck in hospital just like the magician who did it for him. There’s no demi-god lineage, no monsters waiting to attack. The little bit of the past that impacts Sal’s present is not a mythological past but rather his own. In fact, there are no fantasy/magic elements at all other than Sal’s sleight-of-hand. The book is, I think, the first under the RRP umbrella to be science fiction. But rather than the far-future we often see in MG and YA books, this is a near future that is recognizably our own world with some hints of advanced (if not openly available) technology. And rather than dystopia, we get loving families, helpful adults, and a sense of community and hope. Even at the book’s darkest moments, and there are a couple, I didn’t feel despondent or mired down. Hernandez also manages to avoid one of the problems I struggle with in the few middle-grade books I’ve read, including the early Percy Jackson books (as much as I loved them): his characters act and sound like thirteen-year-olds. So many MG characters either read much younger than their supposed age, or much older. Reading the banter between Sal, Gabi, and their classmates, I felt like I was listening to my own nieces and nephews. At first, the characters seem like they’re going to fall into traditional roles: Sal as the titular chosen one, Gabi as the too-smart-for-her-peers outcast, Yasmany as the bully and “big bad.” But here again Hernandez subverts expectations. Yes, Sal can do something remarkable (rip holes between universes and pulls things – and people – into his own), but he’s not a Chosen One. Nobody is spouting prophecies about what he can and will do, and even the most scientifically-adept characters in the book don’t know why Sal can do what he can do, or what effect it will have on the fabric of the multiverse. Gabi is smart and sassy and a little bit feared, but also well-liked by her peers. Yasmany starts out as the bully, but he’s neither a snob nor a jerk, and his character shows immediate depth that characters like Draco Malfoy only wish they could have exhibited in the first book of a series. Not only is Yasmany not the “big bad,” the book doesn’t have a “big bad” at all! It’s so refreshing to read a MG/YA book where the conflict is situational rather than staged, and where the tension comes from wondering what new situation is going to complicate things rather than wondering when the hero is going to punch the villain. Other than the initial Sal-Yasmany encounter, which never gets as violent as it threatens to, I’m not sure there’s a single fight scene in the entire book. Sal, Gabi, Yasmany, and their classmates enjoy school, are creative without being falsely eccentric, and are polite even when they’re arguing. Sal’s and Gabi’s parents are involved in their kids’ lives rather than absent, curious and supportive without being pushovers. The other authority figures (principal, custodian, teachers, nurses) are likeable and engaged rather than stern and unyielding roadblocks. Again, there’s that sense of family and community, with good (but not untroubled) relationships almost all around. And people actually apologize when they make mistakes or false assumptions. Anyone who has heard Carlos read any portion of this book at various conventions and reading programs over the past year or two will not be surprised at the amount of humor the book holds. Everything from slapstick to fart jokes to more intricate wordplay is present, but the characters never engage in humor that is denigrating, embarrassing or vulgar. Even the snark and sarcasm teens are known for is delivered gently. Finally, I have to acknowledge how empowering it has to be for Cuban-American kids to read this book and “hear” their own language, the beats and rhythms and slang. There were even bits of dialogue completely in Spanish with no direct translation into English. I don’t read or speak Spanish but was able to pick up context clues and go back later to look up translations, but I was happy those moments exist in the text, because they will reach the intended audience and make those young readers smile and feel represented. Also: the sequel has been announced, and I cannot wait to find out how Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe and what happens before they do.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great read!
*by L***K on February 1, 2021*

--- “Do your worst, multiverse,” I told my reflection. “I’m ready for you.” --- I love Rick Riordan’s books so I was super excited about the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. This was actually my first read in the imprint and I loved it! I was extra excited because I myself am Hispanic and I don’t read very many books by Hispanic authors/with Hispanic protagonists, so this was awesome! And it was a lot of fun! From the first page I knew I would love this—it was so funny! The characters find themselves in wacky situations, and just the fact that the multiverse is a thing is SO cool! --- “We don't know what calamitrons will do to human tissue. They could act like radiation and make you sick, or worse.” “Or maybe they'll give me superpowers!” “Dude,” Gabi cacaseca’ed, “you can steal stuff from other universes. You're good on superpowers.” --- One fun thing about Sal is that he’s a magician (he’s a manipulative little punk and it’s kinda great 😂). It’s funny cause he also has the ability to pull things from other dimensions, which is a different kind of magic altogether! Speaking of which, we never really find out WHY he is able to do this. Maybe it’s just me, but this is something I would like to know. I’m curious, okay! Lol. But this ability is super cool! The one thing we do know is that he was struggling with his mother’s death, and that’s sort of when this all began. And speaking of his mom, his stepmom is pretty cool. I love that they have such a healthy relationship. The cliché of the kids not getting along with their stepparent is boring and old, but Sal and his stepmom get along really well and I loved that. And then Sal’s dad is a physicist! As for feisty Gabby, I also loved her! One thing that confused me was that she had a lot of dads? I’m not sure what that was all about and it was never explained. I’m sure I’m missing something there, but I don’t know 😅 One relationship that was very surprising and intriguing was Sal and Gabi’s relationship with Yasmany, a bully. The relationship and even character development here was great! He has his own terrible issues going on at home, and we saw what a good friend Gabi is . She is just so caring and I love that about her 🥰 Another thing I loved was learning about Cuban culture. I’m Hispanic, as I mentioned, but I’m Mexican American. I am not very familiar with Cuban culture, but I presumed there were a lot of similarities. And there were! But there were also a lot of interesting differences and some phrases and sayings I had never heard before. So yeah, that was very fun! And speaking of that, there was quite a bit of Spanish in here, which I appreciated, and the book did a good job of translating without it feeling like it was hitting you over the head with it. There was also a lot of Spanglish which I loved because I myself speak Spanglish 😂 The book starts off with a chicken in a locker. Sal accidentally brings it from another universe, but as a cover he claims it was just a magic trick since, you know, he’s a magician. BUT because of this “trick,” he is called a ‘brujo’ at school, which is basically a witch. Now, I personally think witches are cool—they are one of my favorite supernatural creatures, BUT in my culture, brujeria ALWAYS has a negative connotation attached to it. Always. And apparently this is also the case in Cuban culture, which totally sucks for Sal. But I thought that was really interesting just seeing all these similarities between Mexican and Cuban cultures. Another similarity I hardcore related to was this: --- "Like any proper Cuban gathering, it took the adults another forty-five minutes of conversation to actually say good-bye." --- YES! This is my mom at every family gathering EVER! 🤣 Also the whole thing with the food... There was one part when Sal meets Gabi’s family and they feed him a heaping plate of food. At a Hispanic party, I promise you you will never go hungry. And they will feed you even if you’re not hungry. Just take the food, don’t refuse it... it’s the best thing you can do for yourself 😂 (Again, my mom, literally 🤣) Suffice to say, I really loved this! I was a little surprised because as I was reading this I found that this book was more character-driven, not plot-driven, which is what I’m used to/prefer. But it’s a good thing I loved these characters and their relationships with one another. I also loved the setting and the culture and the multiverses and the wacky situations the characters found themselves in... It was such a great book! And that ending was intense! I’m interested to see how they’re gonna, you know, fix the universe 😉

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fun and heart-warming middle grade sci-fi
*by T***F on June 4, 2019*

SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Hernandez follows young magician Sal Vidón and Gabi Reál (student council president, editor of the school paper, and self-proclaimed student lawyer) as they navigate the adventures that life throws their way. Sal does his best to take it easy, because his life is not easy. He has just moved with his dad and American Stepmom and is figuring out things at a new school. He’s in the principal’s office every day. His classmates think he’s a brujo because of the dead chicken in Yasmany’s locker. His Mami Muerta keeps popping up and complicating life… and, he just might be accidentally destroying the universe when he “relaxes.” He’s trying to become the world’s greatest magician, but Gabi seems like she won’t stop poking and prodding until he’s revealed his secrets to everyone! Somehow, with all of this, Gabi and Sal start together on an adventure that celebrates the beauty of true friendship and chosen family that you don’t want to miss. SAL AND GABI is one of my favorite books of the year. Sal’s voice is fresh and unique, and young readers will love both his and Gabi’s spunk and attitude. Sal and Gabi (along with the entire cast of characters) excel at bucking “normal” expectations, but the fantastical trials they face ring true to reality and how the hand we’re all dealt in life can sometimes seem both senseless and immaculately planned. You usually think of “slice of life” as a story type that we see in realistic fiction, and it’s so refreshing to read this extraordinary slice of Sal’s life. I love this sci-fi adventure that’s true to the “what if” that the genre is about. We don’t need an antagonist or an arbitrary magical timeline to have a great adventure. Life and science give us more than enough to question and embrace. I love the way that Carlos Hernandez doesn’t stop the story to explain every little thing to the reader. You are dropped into Sal’s life, from his point of view, and you stick with him for an amazing ride. Some of your questions will be answered. Some of them won’t be. As a teacher, I’m drooling over the fact that there’s no way any of my students would be able to hand me a blank sticky note and say honestly, “I didn’t have any questions while I was reading.” There are also parts where you might struggle if you don’t have any Spanish or linguistic experience. I love that, too. The characters and multiverse of SAL AND GABI are so authentic through and through that it really does feel like looking through a hole from our universe into theirs. If life, friends, family, and a little bit of out-of-this-world sound like your cup of tea, I promise you (and/or your students) will devour this book - and then want to devour some delicious Cuban food as well. I read this aloud to my 4th graders and they laughed out loud and loved it!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
- SAL & GABI02 FIX THE UNIVERSE

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*Last updated: 2026-09-15*