Hands

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“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 everyone isn’t 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.* “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. . . . 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. This is an absolute must-have for every middle grade library collection.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“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. . . . A short story with a lasting impact.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This intense page-turner by Maldonado (What Lane?) perceptively explores the complexities of one Black tween’s experience facing difficult situations, the effect that violence has on one family’s future, and the value of community when working through hardship.” —Publishers Weekly

“This coming-of-age story is about the choices one can make and how they can affect our 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.” —Booklist

“Based on Maldonado’s own experience of growing up in Brooklyn’s Red Hook Houses, this is an accessible, engaging, and heartfelt story.” —Horn Book

“Explores the difficult topic of domestic abuse via a genuine tale that is accessible to young readers. . . . Maldonado is seasoned at writing novels in urban settings and this title stands out as one of his stronger works. Trev is a likable and strong character with a range of emotions that young readers will understand. The neighborhood comes alive . . . and features many colorful secondary characters. The book ends on a hopeful tone as Trevor realizes he has both family and a community who will stand behind him. Reminiscent of how Brubaker made the topic of sexual abuse accessible to a younger audience in Fighting Words, Maldonado does the same for domestic abuse in this book. A worthy addition to library collections.” —School Library Connection

“Torrey taps into a kind of writing we’ve been in dire need of for a very long time. And with his authentic voice and whole heaping helpfuls of heart, his latest book Hands is one that your kids are NOT going to want to miss. . . . The fact of the matter is that there is no other author out there writing with Maldonado’s capabilities and then consistently putting out full-length stories that are this short. . . . A great deal of the book’s lure lies in its complications. Trev’s problem is anything but straightforward. . . . The author is being honest with the reader. Life is rarely tied up in a neat little bow, and in eschewing some kind of deus ex machina, the story is honoring the complications surrounding Trev’s life. . . . Homey and touching, complicated and unafraid to deal with paradoxes . . . the final product is ultimately a strong piece I’d hand to any kid willingly. Especially the kids that don’t even know it’s what they need. Yet.” —Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production

Torrey Maldonado (torreymaldonado.com), the author of the critically acclaimed What Lane? and Tight, is a teacher in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and raised. His books reflect his students’ and his experiences.Chapter 1
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.US

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