  | Hands Author: Maldonado, Torrey | |
| Price: $21.88 | ||
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Trevor has an adult problem to deal with: how to protect himself, his sisters, and his mother from his abusive stepfather (currently in prison) and he thinks the way to do that is to take up boxing--although he would really rather draw.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG+ Reading Level: 3.10 Points: 3.0 Quiz: 521058 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (11/01/22)
School Library Journal (+) (12/09/22)
Booklist (12/01/22)
The Hornbook (00/01/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 12/09/2022 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 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 12/01/2022 The last time Trev saw his stepfather was the day he got arrested for hitting Trev’s mother. His stepfather swore that day that he’d get Trev’s mother back for putting him in jail. That was years ago, and Trev has been counting down the weeks until his stepfather is released from prison. To prove that he’s not “soft,” Trev starts teaching himself to fight. As he grows stronger, those around him become concerned about the path he may be going down. The same hands that Trev is planning on using for violence are the hands that could allow Trev to become a great artist. Can those who care for him guide Trev towards the right path before it’s too late? This coming-of-age story is about the choices one can make and how they can affect one’s future, as well as the importance of family, even those who may not be related by blood. This has a powerful plot and an immersive text, and it’s packaged in a short format perfect for impatient readers. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
