Hands

By Torrey Maldonado

A boy must choose between fighting or creating to protect his family.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,184 ratings

160 pages· 19,072 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Trev faces a dilemma: use his hands to fight or to create. With his stepdad's return threatening his family, Trev learns boxing to defend them. Yet, his artistic talent offers a different path. As tensions rise, Trev must decide whether to embrace violence or nurture his gift, knowing his future depends on this choice. Will he build a better life or succumb to the immediate danger?

From 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 TaleThe 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.

At a glance