Review by Booklist Review
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.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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, particularly his love of illustrating superheroes, after whom he models his athletic goals: he also often pushes himself to his limits while training to become a competent boxer like his grandfather. This training starts impacting Trev's studies and his relationship with his community, however: after he smashes a window with his bare hands, scaring a younger neighbor, he reckons with the consequences of unchecked emotions surrounding his newfound physical strength and stemming from internalized toxic masculinity. Trev navigates his trauma by seeking advice from older men in his neighborhood and adapts to what he believes is positive masculinity. 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. Ages 10--up. (Jan.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
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 SchneiderJanuary/February 2023 p.87 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A 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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
