# Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

**Author:** Carlos Hernandez
**Grade range:** Grades 4–7
**Age range:** 9–12
**First published:** 2019
**Genre:** Science Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9781368023627`
**ISBN-10:** `1368023622`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/sal-and-gabi-break-the-universe
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Sal Vidón can reach into other universes — sometimes to glimpse his late mother, sometimes to drop a raw chicken into a bully's locker. When sharp-eyed Gabi figures him out, the two friends risk tearing a hole in reality. Carlos Hernandez's Pura Belpré-honored grades 4-7 sci-fi is funny, Cuban-American, and big-hearted.

## Themes

- friendship
- grief
- family
- humor

## Where this book is assigned

### Battle of the Books (state reading programs)

- **recommended** · 4th grade · North Carolina — [source: NCSLMA Elementary Battle of the Books 2025-2026 (Grades 3-5)](https://school.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?lid=14871)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · North Carolina — [source: NCSLMA Elementary Battle of the Books 2025-2026 (Grades 3-5)](https://school.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?lid=14871)

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