Hands

A fast-paced read with the power of a good jab, as a boy ponders the best way to use his hands—to create or destroy

Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters—especially now that his stepfather's gone. But his stepfather's return is what worries Trev the most because the day his stepfather was taken back to prison, he blamed it on Trev's mom and vowed to get even. So rather than live in fear, Trev decides to take matters into his own hands, literally. He practices to become a champion boxer, which he feels will also help him navigate his threatening neighborhood. But not everyone is a fan of this plan, because Trev is also a good student and a talented artist, who could be doing more productive things with his hands to build for his future. When he seeks guidance from a group of "uncles"—family friends who have always been there for him—he finds they have lots of opposing opinions. So ultimately, since Trev's hands are his own, he must decide how to use them. Once again, Torrey Maldonado has created a character trying to do his best for those he loves, who must confront his inner demons as well as the outside ones.