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| Perma-Bound Edition ©2024 | -- |
| Publisher's Hardcover ©2023 | -- |
| Paperback ©2024 | -- |
Stepfathers. Juvenile fiction.
Families. Juvenile fiction.
Responsibility. Juvenile fiction.
Boxing stories.
Stepfathers. Fiction.
Family life. Fiction.
Responsibility. Fiction.
Boxing. Fiction.
Gr 5 Up —Maldonado's latest tells a story many middle grade kids will have an immediate personal connection to: shouldering adult problems and taking them on as their own. Trev is scared after his abusive stepfather is sent back to jail and tries to prepare for the man's imminent release by learning to box so he can defend himself and his family by fighting with his hands. Trev is a gifted artist and is constantly being told by the adults around him that he has promise and a future; fighting is not intuitive to him. He dreams of taking his mother and sisters away from the projects to a place that he will not have to "throw hands" as a method of defense. Maldonado's story moves quickly, but it packs a punch with a rapidly progressing plot and short chapters. Tweens will appreciate the tight prose. When the novel concludes, readers will feel a sense of the real community Trev has beyond his immediate family. They will also appreciate the complex supporting characters and feel hopeful for Trev's future. Those who have enjoyed Maldonado's earlier books as well as fans of Jason Reynolds "Track" series will love this one too. VERDICT This is an absolute must-have for every middle grade library collection.—Kim Gardner
Horn Book (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)Twelve-year-old Trevor is a gifted comic-book artist, a good student, and a kind brother to his three sisters. But two years earlier, his stepdad was sent to prison for hitting Trevor's mother, and Trevor fears what will happen when his stepdad returns. He figures he had better learn to "throw hands," taking inspiration from the posters of Muhammad Ali and Creed on his bedroom wall. He bulks up, learns to box, and, at almost six feet tall, feels he might be able to protect his mother. But he has uncles -- some "blood uncles," some not -- who guide him in another direction. Uncle Larry tells Trevor that his mother is stronger than he realizes: "You know the Jedi have the Force? Well, your mother is a force." And he says that fighting his stepdad would be like Luke Skywalker fighting Darth Vader: where would that lead? With such guidance, Trevor comes to realize that he may not have all the answers, but he does have the support of family and friends who care about him as he makes his own way in life. Based on Maldonado's own experience of growing up in Brooklyn's Red Hook Houses, this is an accessible, engaging, and heartfelt story. Dean Schneider
Kirkus ReviewsA 12-year-old boy grapples with his ability to handle conflict without using his hands.Trevor has a problem-his stepdad is due to return home after being sent to jail two years ago for abusing his mother. His stepdad made him promise to always protect his mother and sisters, but how can Trevor protect them from his stepdad? Stressed, Trevor decides to learn how to box at the rec center. However, his plan falls apart when he's turned away-the trainers promised Trevor's late Uncle Lou that they'd make sure the boy stayed in school and avoided fighting. Still restless and frustrated, Trevor seeks advice from his other uncles-men around his neighborhood whom he considers family. Although they each have their own approach to Trevor's situation, one thing is obvious: They don't want Trevor using violence to solve his problems. Trevor is a gifted artist, and the uncles know he has a chance at achieving big dreams. Trevor must decide what kind of person he aspires to be and what he's willing to risk for his future. The author caters to reluctant readers while exploring complex ideas surrounding community, domestic abuse, and problem-solving. Brief chapters, a fast-paced narrative, and simple language make this an accessible read. The characters feel relatable, and Trevor's love for his community comes through clearly in the first-person narration. Though by the conclusion Trevor's problems aren't over, that doesn't mean he's facing them alone. Trevor and the cast are cued as Black.A short story with a lasting impact. (Fiction. 10-14)
Publishers Weekly (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)With help from his friend and neighbor Pete, 12-year-old Trev begins learning how to box, hoping to use these skills to defend his mother and sisters from his jealous and violent stepfather, who maintains he’s the “only man in the house” and is returning home from two years in jail for physically abusing Trev’s mom. Trev also finds solace in artistic pursuits,
School Library Journal Starred Review (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)
Horn Book (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)
Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)
You promise? I promise. People say people have "promise." Whatever that means.
All I know is . . . I got promises to keep. I have to. But which ones are right? Which are wrong?
Messed-up stuff happened with my stepdad. Has me feeling messed up. Feeling torn and confused about what to do.
I thought my stepdad was the Man. Tried to make him smile. Hoped he'd accept me. Needed to be his boy after my pops died. Wanted to be his. Followed him.
But not no more. Nah.
Not after that night he got locked up for throwing hands. And not with just anyone . . .
Chapter 2
You don't mess with my mother.
But my stepdad did.
I only saw him hit her that one night.
My mom shielded me a lot after my real dad died when I was seven. I guess she couldn't shield me completely because my dad dying hurt so bad I got left back. It's why I'm now twelve in the sixth grade.
Ma was hyped my stepdad wanted her: a woman with two kids. He promised to protect her, and us. He had his own kid, my stepsister, Jess.
My sister and stepsister are my hearts. My stepsister, Jess, is the oldest, seventeen. My sister, Nikki, is fifteen.
Real fast, my mom and stepdad started living together, and real fast, talking about my real dad stopped because my stepdad wanted to be the only man of the house. He didn't want to hear anything about my pops.
Here's how I know.
Once, me and my stepdad walked to the store and passed a couple of grandma-aged women on a bench. One friendly-shouted, "Hey, Spider-Man!"
I knew she was talking to me because I had on a Miles Morales Spider-Man T-shirt. Back then I was into-into Miles's Spider-Man. He's still fire.
She waved at me. "Boy, you Trevor?"
I nodded.
The woman next to her elbowed her and smiled. "Brenda, you know that's Trevor Junior. Same handsome face as his father's." She eyed my stepdad. "No disrespect. You cute, but his real dad was fi-iine."
She didn't mean to be rude, but my stepdad's face got tight how people's faces do when a splinter pricks their finger bloody.
I wanted to stay getting props for looking like my real pops and being told how dope he was, but my stepdad put his hand on my back and interrupted the women. "We gotta go."
The first woman who spoke--Brenda--called out to my stepdad's back as he shoved me forward. "Hope you a gentleman like Trevor's dad! That man was such a gentle--"
My stepdad shooed me with more force, and then half a block away, he told me, "You be lucky if you look like me. But enough talking about your old man."
So anyway, back to the night my stepdad got arrested, he got heated because he got himself two more years in jail for violating his parole.
I was shocked he blamed Ma for everything.
Jess and Nikki were shocked too--shocked that I was surprised at what he did. They said the same thing: "Trev, we need to talk. There's a lot you don't know."
What didn't I know?
And how'd I miss it?
Chapter 3
As cops put my stepdad in their car, he shouted at Ma like he was making a promise. "I'll get you back! YOU did this to me! YOU got me locked up!"
How was it her fault? He hit her. He's wrong.
And what'd she do anyway?
Later that night, Jess and Nikki tell me more. What I missed. Turns out Ma did nothing to get hit because nothing ever deserves getting hit.
They came in my room and our whole conversation was whispers.
Me: "Did he always hit her?"
Jess: "No. They'd just argue."
Nikki: "Ma used to win, nonstop."
Jess: "Facts."
Nikki: "Until that day he--"
Me: "What?"
Jess: "Ma said he shook a fist near her face. Threatened to clock her. And threatening became his thing when he couldn't win with words."
"He ever put his fist in your faces?" I ask.
Jess: "No! Ma wouldn't let him. She said she'd die before she let that happen!"
Jess shares why the big fight started. "They were arguing about you, Trev. Dad told Ma, 'You raising him soft.' I know because I'd eavesdrop at their bedroom door when they argued. Dad barked, 'I tried teaching him to box and he was all whiny. No. I don't want to throw a punch. I don't want to hurt anybody.' " Jess eyes me now. "Did that really happen?"
I feel guilty and nod. "Yeah."
Jess sucks her teeth. "Anyway. Their fight got louder--and I don't know why, but he snapped. He must've lifted his fist because she said, 'I'm NOT scared of YOU.' Then BOOM! Everything went too quiet."
I think back to the cop car, to my stepdad's promise that he'd get her back for calling the cops on him.
And that night, as Ma iced her puffy eye, I made a promise through my salty tears, deep in my heart:
On my life . . .
On my mom's . . .
On my sisters' . . .
He won't ever hit Ma again.
Never.
Watch.
Excerpted from Hands by Torrey Maldonado
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
“Gorgeous and gripping, Hands is a poetic page-turner. You might just finish it in one sitting. Torrey Maldonado understands the kids he writes for at the deepest level.” —Adam Gidwitz, Newbery Honor–winning author of The Inquisitor’s Tale
The author of What Lane? and Tight delivers a fast-paced read that packs a punch about a boy figuring out how to best use his hands—to build or to knock down.
Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters, especially from his stepdad. But his stepdad’s return stresses Trev—because when he left, he threatened Trev’s mom. Rather than live scared, Trev takes matters into his own hands, literally. He starts learning to box to handle his stepdad. But not everyone is a fan of his plan, because Trev’s a talented artist, and his hands could actually help him build a better future. And they’re letting him know—but their advice for some distant future feels useless in his reality right now. Ultimately, Trev knows his future is in his hands, and his hands are his own, and he has to choose how to use them.