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Secret Saturdays
Read Torrey Maldonado's posts on the Penguin Blog and the new Penguin Community .
A poignant look into one fatherless twelve-year-old’s struggles with friendship and trust. Sean is Justin’s best friend, at least Justin thought he was. But lately Sean has been acting differently. Sean’s been telling lies, getting into trouble at school, and hanging out with a tougher crowd, even getting into fights. This isn’t like Sean at all. When Justin finally discovers that Sean’s been secretly going to visit his father in prison and is dealing with the shame of that, Justin wants to do something to help before his friend spirals further out of control. But what if confronting Sean means Justin loses his very best friend? In the end, he decides it doesn’t matter; he’s got to man up. Set in one of New York’s most dangerous neighborhoods, Secret Saturdays is an affecting read highlighted by strong characters and an authentic, heartening voice.
A poignant look into one fatherless twelve-year-old’s struggles with friendship and trust. Sean is Justin’s best friend, at least Justin thought he was. But lately Sean has been acting differently. Sean’s been telling lies, getting into trouble at school, and hanging out with a tougher crowd, even getting into fights. This isn’t like Sean at all. When Justin finally discovers that Sean’s been secretly going to visit his father in prison and is dealing with the shame of that, Justin wants to do something to help before his friend spirals further out of control. But what if confronting Sean means Justin loses his very best friend? In the end, he decides it doesn’t matter; he’s got to man up. Set in one of New York’s most dangerous neighborhoods, Secret Saturdays is an affecting read highlighted by strong characters and an authentic, heartening voice.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 15, 2016
The message here is good: young men need to "be real" with each other, secrets hurt, etc. But there were major problems in the story that made this message too didactic and narrow-lensed to digest.
Maldonado uses an urban kid-speak dialect that rings false because it is too clean. (Except it does use the word "f*g**t". More on that in the next paragraph.) Here's a problem a lot of ya authors face, so by itself, I wouldn't knock it, trying to find a balance between language that is real and getting libraries and classrooms to put the book on their shelves. But if this book is trying to make a point about honesty it needs to start with the language.
The characters in this book are homophobes, and the author makes no effort to address it. One peripheral character is mentioned as gay, when clearly his actions demonstrate a trans identity, and this confusion is completely unaddressed. I would go so far as to say the attitudes toward homosexuality are hostile and fight against the book's effort to support honesty, respect, male identity and deep friendship.
The author doesn't seem to trust his ability to let his characters learn through experience, and resorts to using "real convicts" that visit a classroom and tv talk shows to preach a message of "Don't hide your problems from people you think you can trust" (p. 188). That is, unless you're gay. You should hide that.
So, spoiler alert, Sean gets weird and violent once he starts visiting his dad in jail (the secret he is keeping from his friends). (Actually, the author uses the word jail, but names the institution, Clinton County Correctional Facility, which is actually a prison. To me, that's significant.) I get that keeping that kind of secret can be damaging. I get that kids may feel embarrassed or less-than to have a parent in jail/prison. But the author contrives for Sean to see the light and change his violent behavior, not because he's now more open with his best friend, but because he stops visiting his dad. I don't claim to be an expert on the psychology of kids with incarcerated parents, but I do know that formerly-incarcerated parents recidivate less if they have strong bonds with their family, and family bonds are maintained over the length of a sentence by regular family visits. This book appears very concerned about urban kids from fatherless households, and yet advocates for breaking bonds between incarcerated fathers and their kids. This book positions kids as easily influenced, impressionable, and simultaneously entirely responsible for their choices, and incarcerated fathers as failed, irredeemable, and possibly gay. This book seems to me to reiterate an old and tired narrative under the guise of being gritty and espousing a new, more sensitive masculinity.
Maldonado uses an urban kid-speak dialect that rings false because it is too clean. (Except it does use the word "f*g**t". More on that in the next paragraph.) Here's a problem a lot of ya authors face, so by itself, I wouldn't knock it, trying to find a balance between language that is real and getting libraries and classrooms to put the book on their shelves. But if this book is trying to make a point about honesty it needs to start with the language.
The characters in this book are homophobes, and the author makes no effort to address it. One peripheral character is mentioned as gay, when clearly his actions demonstrate a trans identity, and this confusion is completely unaddressed. I would go so far as to say the attitudes toward homosexuality are hostile and fight against the book's effort to support honesty, respect, male identity and deep friendship.
The author doesn't seem to trust his ability to let his characters learn through experience, and resorts to using "real convicts" that visit a classroom and tv talk shows to preach a message of "Don't hide your problems from people you think you can trust" (p. 188). That is, unless you're gay. You should hide that.
So, spoiler alert, Sean gets weird and violent once he starts visiting his dad in jail (the secret he is keeping from his friends). (Actually, the author uses the word jail, but names the institution, Clinton County Correctional Facility, which is actually a prison. To me, that's significant.) I get that keeping that kind of secret can be damaging. I get that kids may feel embarrassed or less-than to have a parent in jail/prison. But the author contrives for Sean to see the light and change his violent behavior, not because he's now more open with his best friend, but because he stops visiting his dad. I don't claim to be an expert on the psychology of kids with incarcerated parents, but I do know that formerly-incarcerated parents recidivate less if they have strong bonds with their family, and family bonds are maintained over the length of a sentence by regular family visits. This book appears very concerned about urban kids from fatherless households, and yet advocates for breaking bonds between incarcerated fathers and their kids. This book positions kids as easily influenced, impressionable, and simultaneously entirely responsible for their choices, and incarcerated fathers as failed, irredeemable, and possibly gay. This book seems to me to reiterate an old and tired narrative under the guise of being gritty and espousing a new, more sensitive masculinity.
August 19, 2014
Sean, Justin, Kyle and Vanessa are best friends. Sean, the unofficial leader of the group, is the golden-boy of their clique. He's got great grades, adoring girls, dope rhymes, and he's king of the diss. Justin thinks he's the coolest, and follows Sean's advice. Including these little nuggets,
When Sean starts backing out of their normal sleepovers, Justin and Kyle don't think anything of it. Until Justin happens to see Sean and his mother slipping out of the building in the middle of the night. When he confronts Sean about it, he notices that for the first time ever, his friend is lying to him. Soon after, Sean, who usually only disses or picks on people who pick on him first, jumps on the bully fasttrack. Seeing their friend spiral out of control as the lies continue, makes Justin enlist Kyle and Vanessa to help find out what is happening on Sean's secret Saturday trips.
In determining how "real" of a friend Sean is, Justin is forced to examine how "real" he himself has been to Sean.
First, I have to say, I loved the pacing of this story and can see why it is listed on so many "Quick Pick" or "Reluctant Reader" lists. Torrey Maldonado does a great job of really latching on to that quick-paced thinking and voice of the young mind. Justin, while at times I felt was a bit whiny, was on par with most 6th graders I know.
It was very important that I remind myself often while reading that although this book is often marketed as YA, these "teens" were actually 6th graders. A lot of Justin's prying into Sean's personal business and attitude came across as extra, but once I reminded myself that he was younger than I thought, it made it a little more believable. At that age, these things really do equate to checking on and about your friend.
Be mindful of some derogatory slang, but otherwise, this is actually mild and could be handed to a mature middle-schooler easily.
First, people fight when their feelings are hurt. Second, you can fight with your hands or your mouth. Third, people who fight with their hands are too dumb to beat up somebody with their words.
When Sean starts backing out of their normal sleepovers, Justin and Kyle don't think anything of it. Until Justin happens to see Sean and his mother slipping out of the building in the middle of the night. When he confronts Sean about it, he notices that for the first time ever, his friend is lying to him. Soon after, Sean, who usually only disses or picks on people who pick on him first, jumps on the bully fasttrack. Seeing their friend spiral out of control as the lies continue, makes Justin enlist Kyle and Vanessa to help find out what is happening on Sean's secret Saturday trips.
In determining how "real" of a friend Sean is, Justin is forced to examine how "real" he himself has been to Sean.
First, I have to say, I loved the pacing of this story and can see why it is listed on so many "Quick Pick" or "Reluctant Reader" lists. Torrey Maldonado does a great job of really latching on to that quick-paced thinking and voice of the young mind. Justin, while at times I felt was a bit whiny, was on par with most 6th graders I know.
It was very important that I remind myself often while reading that although this book is often marketed as YA, these "teens" were actually 6th graders. A lot of Justin's prying into Sean's personal business and attitude came across as extra, but once I reminded myself that he was younger than I thought, it made it a little more believable. At that age, these things really do equate to checking on and about your friend.
Be mindful of some derogatory slang, but otherwise, this is actually mild and could be handed to a mature middle-schooler easily.
March 14, 2010
What an absolutely marvelous book this is! I am a recently retired NYC public school teacher, a middle school ELA teacher, to be exact. While reading SECRET SATURDAYS, I kept thinking, " Oh, how I wish I had this book to read with my students!" It speaks eloquently to that age group and toouches upon so many of the issues with which they deal. I was particularly taken with Justin, Sean, Vanessa, and Kyle. They are lovely young people who have been brought up to believe that education and working hard in school are important. They are bright and happy to be so. They have loving adults in their lives. The friendship that envelops all four of them is so real and delightful to imagine. They care so much about each other and are filled with adolescent angst and uncertainty when confronted with life's vagaries. I admired them, and I believed in them. I also recognized any number of my students in the characters and the situations they experience throughout the novel. As with all good books, there are nemerous lessons to be learned and ideas to be discovered and discussed in SECRET SATURDAYS. It most definitely is a " must read."
August 10, 2014
Sean and Justin are best mates. At least until lately. Sean has begun hanging around with new kids and Justin has the feeling he’s hiding something. When Justin finally finds out what’s happening with Sean, he wants to help his friends before Sean spirals out of control.
A great read for boys. Although full of American slang and gangs, this story had positive mother role models – being open with their sons about friendships, anger issues and peer pressure.
A great read for boys. Although full of American slang and gangs, this story had positive mother role models – being open with their sons about friendships, anger issues and peer pressure.
July 9, 2017
Justin and his best friend Sean are tight. Justin's sure they know everything about each other, so when he catches Sean lying about his weekends, Justin doesn't know what to do. Now Sean is skipping class, avoiding homework, and hanging with guys in the eighth grade. Justin decides he has to figure out what's going on, so he, Kyle, and Vanessa work up a plan. Meanwhile, Sean gets into a fight and gets suspended. They have to figure things out and at the same time, Justin wants to know if they're still friends when you lie to each other.
A great an simple story. Justin's point of view but the story mostly focuses on Sean and their friendship. A book about living in the projects in New York and surviving.
A great an simple story. Justin's point of view but the story mostly focuses on Sean and their friendship. A book about living in the projects in New York and surviving.
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November 1, 2019The book that I have read was "Secret Saturdays" written by Torrey Maldonado. The book is about boy with a best friend who is acting with a tough crowd and is spiraling out of control . The boy is afraid to lose his best friend, so he does something to get his best friend back. 2 themes about this book is friendship and truthfulness. I really enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to people who like reading stories about children living in Chicago going through a rough patch in their friendship.
October 11, 2019
Secret Saturdays is a great book to read if you are bored. The book is mostly about a group of friends finding another friends secrets. They find out the friend's secret and call him out. Then they all go back to normal. `The theme is don't keep secrets it tears you apart. If you keep secrets you ruin friendship and family.
January 8, 2020
This book was geared towards middle school and high school children. I found it hard to relate to this book. I am sure there are people out there that could relate to this book better. I feel like the book could have ended better. It seemed to just stop with so much more story to go.
July 8, 2020
Started this one as a read aloud, but it didn’t read aloud well, so we moved onto something else. I just picked it up to finish it. Wasn’t bad - didn’t love it but didn’t hate it.
Message: Learn to be true to yourself.
Message: Learn to be true to yourself.
August 7, 2017
3.5 stars. Some of it was a little underdeveloped and repetitive, but it's very accessible for middle schoolers.
February 14, 2018
I loved this book so much, it was very emotional and the mood was set very well.
November 11, 2024
I loved this book. Kids start to follow footsteps at a very young age and still follow them even when they are "men".
April 11, 2025
I felt that this pulled into stereotypes as much as possible. I know Torrey was from there, but I still wanted something more. I am not the biggest fan of stereotypes…
January 31, 2010
The plot of this book is original and then again it isn't. I thought the secret Saturday visits were obvious but that may be because I'm older than the main characters and I think younger readers may not be able to figure it out, but I had two guesses and halfway through the novel I was able to confidently say I knew what would happen. That was really the only thing I didn't like about the book. Along with the fact that some characters were cliches but that was mostly the minor ones, like Sean's crush, Vanessa could have been better developed as well as Sean and Justin's other friend, Kyle. Also, the author oculd have described New York a little better to really help readers visualize the setting (I liked the idea of Grey House though, adding a little creepy/ghost story). The only other thing I didn't like was how I couldn't really relate to Justin or Sean. Not because they're guys, but because they felt too young. I really like in middle grade novels when you can relate to the main character, even if they're younger, that wasn't the case with Secret Saturdays but the novel was still enjoyable.
My favorite aspect of Secret Saturdays is the message. At the heart of the novel is the issue of stereotypes concerning males and how guys have to be tough as Justin's mom says "Boys and men out here think they can't ever be sensitive because that's considered soft or gay. And if the next guy shows some gentle emotion, they say he's soft or gay." (pg. 191, ARC so quotes and page numbers may change). I couldn't agree more. Boys are considered weak if they cry or express emotion and that's so wrong. I think it's endearing and cute when guys show emotion and I respect them for it. I don't want them crying in public over nothing (ahem Brett Favre!) but if something tragic happens (Hurricane Katrina, earthquake in Haiti, family tragedy), I don't have a problem with guys crying in public. To be honest, I think most of these stereotypes prevail in largely ethnic neighborhoods, but it does affect all guys, I just think it affects POC males more.
After finishing Secret Saturdays I had to think about it because my initial reaction was that the book was just ok, but that was largely in part because I needed to work through my own issues. Once I really looked inside myself and acknowledged that maybe this book was right, I felt that I could write a more through and honest review. All in all, I didn't think the writing was the best, but I thought the originality of the plot and the message behind (the pressure of guys to be tough and verbal abuse) the novel is so very needed in today's world that I would recommend it to all young boys (and girls, but guys especially need to read this book). I intend on having my little brother read this book in a year. 6th grade and up
My favorite aspect of Secret Saturdays is the message. At the heart of the novel is the issue of stereotypes concerning males and how guys have to be tough as Justin's mom says "Boys and men out here think they can't ever be sensitive because that's considered soft or gay. And if the next guy shows some gentle emotion, they say he's soft or gay." (pg. 191, ARC so quotes and page numbers may change). I couldn't agree more. Boys are considered weak if they cry or express emotion and that's so wrong. I think it's endearing and cute when guys show emotion and I respect them for it. I don't want them crying in public over nothing (ahem Brett Favre!) but if something tragic happens (Hurricane Katrina, earthquake in Haiti, family tragedy), I don't have a problem with guys crying in public. To be honest, I think most of these stereotypes prevail in largely ethnic neighborhoods, but it does affect all guys, I just think it affects POC males more.
After finishing Secret Saturdays I had to think about it because my initial reaction was that the book was just ok, but that was largely in part because I needed to work through my own issues. Once I really looked inside myself and acknowledged that maybe this book was right, I felt that I could write a more through and honest review. All in all, I didn't think the writing was the best, but I thought the originality of the plot and the message behind (the pressure of guys to be tough and verbal abuse) the novel is so very needed in today's world that I would recommend it to all young boys (and girls, but guys especially need to read this book). I intend on having my little brother read this book in a year. 6th grade and up
November 16, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Friendship can be tricky. BFF has certain conditions that it sometimes takes a lifetime to understand. Being there for a friend seems simple - until it's not.
Justin and Sean have a lot in common. Both are half Black and half Puerto Rican. Both are being raised by single mothers intent on raising good, upstanding sons. Both are good students and behave in school. However, all that is beginning to change.
Justin knows that Sean is an expert at dissing. Sean's mother has always said disputes should be handled with words, not fists. Recently, Sean's words have become vicious and are handing out hurts that sting as much as punches. Sean's taunts are aimed at kids without fathers or at those with deadbeat dads. This gives him plenty of targets, but Justin wonders about the fact that Sean's own dad is absent from his life.
When Justin and another buddy, Kyle, witness Sean and his mother leaving the housing project in the wee hours of the morning, they feel a bit betrayed, since Sean was supposed to have been with them for the evening. When the two friends confront Sean, he boldly lies.
That lie is just the beginning. What follows is even more shocking for those who care about Sean. His behavior is changing dramatically. His taunts have turned to fist-fights resulting in detentions and even a suspension from school. His grades tank as the mysterious trips with his mother continue. Justin doesn't understand how best friends who previously trusted each other with everything can have secrets like the ones Sean is keeping.
Debut author Torrey Maldonado takes on teens and teen relationships in the inner city. He has firsthand knowledge of just how tough it is to grow up surrounded by negative influences and how hard it is to resist temptation when there is no male role model to look up to. Justin and Sean and their other friends realistically depict the difficult times friends can face when it comes to family and secrets meant to save face or protect. Maldonado presents his story so readers can feel both sides of the situation as they listen to Justin's narration and as they try to puzzle out Sean's secret life.
Friendship can be tricky. BFF has certain conditions that it sometimes takes a lifetime to understand. Being there for a friend seems simple - until it's not.
Justin and Sean have a lot in common. Both are half Black and half Puerto Rican. Both are being raised by single mothers intent on raising good, upstanding sons. Both are good students and behave in school. However, all that is beginning to change.
Justin knows that Sean is an expert at dissing. Sean's mother has always said disputes should be handled with words, not fists. Recently, Sean's words have become vicious and are handing out hurts that sting as much as punches. Sean's taunts are aimed at kids without fathers or at those with deadbeat dads. This gives him plenty of targets, but Justin wonders about the fact that Sean's own dad is absent from his life.
When Justin and another buddy, Kyle, witness Sean and his mother leaving the housing project in the wee hours of the morning, they feel a bit betrayed, since Sean was supposed to have been with them for the evening. When the two friends confront Sean, he boldly lies.
That lie is just the beginning. What follows is even more shocking for those who care about Sean. His behavior is changing dramatically. His taunts have turned to fist-fights resulting in detentions and even a suspension from school. His grades tank as the mysterious trips with his mother continue. Justin doesn't understand how best friends who previously trusted each other with everything can have secrets like the ones Sean is keeping.
Debut author Torrey Maldonado takes on teens and teen relationships in the inner city. He has firsthand knowledge of just how tough it is to grow up surrounded by negative influences and how hard it is to resist temptation when there is no male role model to look up to. Justin and Sean and their other friends realistically depict the difficult times friends can face when it comes to family and secrets meant to save face or protect. Maldonado presents his story so readers can feel both sides of the situation as they listen to Justin's narration and as they try to puzzle out Sean's secret life.
July 16, 2012
Justin and Sean are best friends living in a tough Brooklyn, NY neighborhood called Red Hook. Recently, Sean has not been himself and Justin is worried. Sean, a good student who rarely misses school, has suddenly been getting really bad scores and doesn't even seem to be that upset by it. Worst of all, Sean has started fighting with other kids. It has always been Sean's philosophy that fighting with your fists just shows your ignorance. If you are intelligent, you can fight with your words, what they refer to as "dissing" someone. The changes Sean's group of friends notices all seem to have started with these secret trips he and his mom have been taking on Saturdays. Through some investigating, they learn that Sean's dad is in prison, something he kept a secret from them, and his mom has been making him go visit.
I really appreciated the characters in this book. Being a middle school, now jr. High teacher, I could see this group of kids in action-beat boxing in the hallways, talking smack to one another in the cafeteria, choosing to play dodge ball during every phy ed class, etc. I also thought the author did a good job of describing the neighborhood, and especially the poor condition of apartment building, where Justin and Sean live (trash everywhere, urine in puddles in the hallway, drug dealers propping the door open for easier access) and their lives without fathers. Where I felt this book took a wrong turn for me was near the end when the author stopped using his characters and setting to tell the story but instead started "preaching" to us, the readers, about the decisions kids make that lead them down the wrong paths in life. The visit from the ex-cons to Justin's class started feeling a bit preachy but the talk show just pushed it right over the edge for me.
I think some of my students could probably see themselves in this book- less than ideal living conditions and single parent households especially. I also think my students would be able to relate to the friendship between the main characters, seemingly forged even stronger because of their surroundings. This book will be successful in the hands of the right students.
I really appreciated the characters in this book. Being a middle school, now jr. High teacher, I could see this group of kids in action-beat boxing in the hallways, talking smack to one another in the cafeteria, choosing to play dodge ball during every phy ed class, etc. I also thought the author did a good job of describing the neighborhood, and especially the poor condition of apartment building, where Justin and Sean live (trash everywhere, urine in puddles in the hallway, drug dealers propping the door open for easier access) and their lives without fathers. Where I felt this book took a wrong turn for me was near the end when the author stopped using his characters and setting to tell the story but instead started "preaching" to us, the readers, about the decisions kids make that lead them down the wrong paths in life. The visit from the ex-cons to Justin's class started feeling a bit preachy but the talk show just pushed it right over the edge for me.
I think some of my students could probably see themselves in this book- less than ideal living conditions and single parent households especially. I also think my students would be able to relate to the friendship between the main characters, seemingly forged even stronger because of their surroundings. This book will be successful in the hands of the right students.
October 6, 2012
Secret Saturdays uses an urban setting and dialogue to grapple with issues of trust, family, friendship, and identity. Justin, Sean, Kyle, and Vanessa have been best friends since fourth grade; for the past two years, the trio of boys have traveled to each other’s apartment, each in the tough Red Hook neighborhood, for their Saturday sleepovers. The group seems linked culturally, they are half black and half Puerto Rican, they each have an absent father, and they aspire to avoid the drugs and violence prevalent in their neighborhood.
The story is told from Justin’s point of view. Justin admires Sean for his ability to “diss” his classmates without resorting to physical violence. And Sean seems like Teflon because he has none of the flaws that would make him a target for teasing. Until one Saturday when Sean lies about why he can’t sleepover, and Justin spots him leaving their building with his mom in the middle of the night. Sean’s secret Saturday trips change things between the boys, and the mystery ensues. Sean begins taking his “disses” too far, hanging out with an older crowd, skipping assignments, and acting like a bully. Justin is most concerned when he catches Sean in a series of lies. Justin works to discover Sean’s secret and reestablish their friendship before Sean spirals too far out of control.
There is an audience for this book, and I can understand why many readers will be intrigued by the characters and the mystery of Sean, but, for me, it was a little too resolved. Maldonado has a clear message and moral that he tells his audience. The last few chapters focus on his stance on friendship and honesty and advice for teenage boys, and I just wish it was a little less overt. It deals with important, real issues, but Justin becomes less authentic when Maldonado begins to use him exclusively as a character created to influence his audience. It forces the reader to confront their own perceptions of loyalty and identity and the danger of secrets and is full of characters that serve as good role models.
The story is told from Justin’s point of view. Justin admires Sean for his ability to “diss” his classmates without resorting to physical violence. And Sean seems like Teflon because he has none of the flaws that would make him a target for teasing. Until one Saturday when Sean lies about why he can’t sleepover, and Justin spots him leaving their building with his mom in the middle of the night. Sean’s secret Saturday trips change things between the boys, and the mystery ensues. Sean begins taking his “disses” too far, hanging out with an older crowd, skipping assignments, and acting like a bully. Justin is most concerned when he catches Sean in a series of lies. Justin works to discover Sean’s secret and reestablish their friendship before Sean spirals too far out of control.
There is an audience for this book, and I can understand why many readers will be intrigued by the characters and the mystery of Sean, but, for me, it was a little too resolved. Maldonado has a clear message and moral that he tells his audience. The last few chapters focus on his stance on friendship and honesty and advice for teenage boys, and I just wish it was a little less overt. It deals with important, real issues, but Justin becomes less authentic when Maldonado begins to use him exclusively as a character created to influence his audience. It forces the reader to confront their own perceptions of loyalty and identity and the danger of secrets and is full of characters that serve as good role models.
February 3, 2012
Title: Secret Saturdays
Author: Torrey Maldonado
I was reading a book called Secret Saturdays by Torrey Maldonado. The author wants to teach everyone a lesson in this book. He doesn’t want kids to be messing up in school. For example the character Sean was missing assignments, showing up late, and failing tests. He did all these things but when his friend Justin tried to ask why, he just ignored him and didn’t really reply. He would always make up silly answers like he doesn’t know.
At first Justin wasn’t really friends with Sean so I wouldn’t think that he would’ve cared about Sean. He really wouldn’t care about Sean but when Sean stood up for Justin, Sean and him were suddenly friends. They only saw each other in the mornings when they weren’t friends. They would only greet each other like hey, hi, etc. They knew each other but I don’t think Justin felt like he was Sean’s type because he always acts tuff.
They would’ve never been friends if Sean didn’t trash talk the bully. He was talking to Justin and told him that you don’t need to fight a bully to let him go away, you don’t have to fight physically, you can fight by using your mouth. If Justin didn’t hear these words he would probably think that Sean is still not his type but since he did this for Justin he thinks Sean is a really good person.
When they became friends everything changed. Justin would hang out more with Sean and his other friends. They all were friends and they all tried to act cool. The lesson that he was trying to tell everyone that you can tell when your friends anything they will all still notice any changes in you. Justin found a change. Justin found out that Sean started to mess up in school and noticed that he was in love. He noticed Vanessa and him were in love so I think that’s what his point is always is always believe in your friends.
Author: Torrey Maldonado
I was reading a book called Secret Saturdays by Torrey Maldonado. The author wants to teach everyone a lesson in this book. He doesn’t want kids to be messing up in school. For example the character Sean was missing assignments, showing up late, and failing tests. He did all these things but when his friend Justin tried to ask why, he just ignored him and didn’t really reply. He would always make up silly answers like he doesn’t know.
At first Justin wasn’t really friends with Sean so I wouldn’t think that he would’ve cared about Sean. He really wouldn’t care about Sean but when Sean stood up for Justin, Sean and him were suddenly friends. They only saw each other in the mornings when they weren’t friends. They would only greet each other like hey, hi, etc. They knew each other but I don’t think Justin felt like he was Sean’s type because he always acts tuff.
They would’ve never been friends if Sean didn’t trash talk the bully. He was talking to Justin and told him that you don’t need to fight a bully to let him go away, you don’t have to fight physically, you can fight by using your mouth. If Justin didn’t hear these words he would probably think that Sean is still not his type but since he did this for Justin he thinks Sean is a really good person.
When they became friends everything changed. Justin would hang out more with Sean and his other friends. They all were friends and they all tried to act cool. The lesson that he was trying to tell everyone that you can tell when your friends anything they will all still notice any changes in you. Justin found a change. Justin found out that Sean started to mess up in school and noticed that he was in love. He noticed Vanessa and him were in love so I think that’s what his point is always is always believe in your friends.
May 19, 2016
Do you know how it feels when your bestfriend lies to you? In Torrey Maldonado's Secert Saturdays the author uses imagery and word choice to prove honesty is the best policy.Personally I really enjoyed this book because I could relate to it and it teaches you a life lesson.
Justin and Sean grew up in Red Hook, New York. Ever since the Saturday trips Sean started acting different around his friends and to everyone around him. One day In class Sean punched a kid named Manny in the face because he was talking about Sean's father. The conflict in the story is person vs self because Sean doesn't know what to do anymore due to the fact that he's been messing up in school, missing assignments , showing up late, and failing test. Sean started hanging out with tougher group of people. The major theme of the book is that you should always be yourself or in other words to always be genuine .
The author uses imagery to create a visual picture in the reader's head of Sean punching Manny in the face because Sean said "Excuse me" and Manny didn't move so they started fighting and Manny left the room with a broken nose.
I was angry how Sean decide to leave his friends for a tougher group of people because Justin was there since day one. I was also moved by how Justin stayed by his side no matter what. I liked how the author word choice because it really goes with where they are from.
I rate this book a 5 because it was very differnet from other books and how it shows you should be by your bestfriend's side no matter what through thick and thin. I would recomend this book to people who love drama and heart warming stories. This book was just amazing overall and it shows nobody understands you better than all your friends.
Justin and Sean grew up in Red Hook, New York. Ever since the Saturday trips Sean started acting different around his friends and to everyone around him. One day In class Sean punched a kid named Manny in the face because he was talking about Sean's father. The conflict in the story is person vs self because Sean doesn't know what to do anymore due to the fact that he's been messing up in school, missing assignments , showing up late, and failing test. Sean started hanging out with tougher group of people. The major theme of the book is that you should always be yourself or in other words to always be genuine .
The author uses imagery to create a visual picture in the reader's head of Sean punching Manny in the face because Sean said "Excuse me" and Manny didn't move so they started fighting and Manny left the room with a broken nose.
I was angry how Sean decide to leave his friends for a tougher group of people because Justin was there since day one. I was also moved by how Justin stayed by his side no matter what. I liked how the author word choice because it really goes with where they are from.
I rate this book a 5 because it was very differnet from other books and how it shows you should be by your bestfriend's side no matter what through thick and thin. I would recomend this book to people who love drama and heart warming stories. This book was just amazing overall and it shows nobody understands you better than all your friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2010
Justin, a sixth grader in New York's tough Red Hook neighborhood, has a lot in common with his best friend, Sean. Both boys are half black and half Puerto Rican, fans of rap, and though neither realize it, both are keeping secrets about their absent fathers. As Sean begins to flounder in school, hang with a tougher crowd, and bully other kids, they grow apart. But when Justin learns Sean's secret he turns to his other friends and adults in his life to help him repair his relationship with Sean.
Author Torrey Maldonado was raised in Red Hook and has created authentic characters who must deal not only with their personal dramas but must navigate violence and crime. Though Sean makes some bad choices, he learns important lessons, and both boys steer clear of drugs and gangs and prove good role models for middle school readers. Maldonado imparts advice through his characters that boys need to hear--be yourself and don't put up a front with your friends. Follow this path and many boys will call you "soft and gay," the characters in the book fear, but they learn that always being "hard" leads to trouble.
But this book may not grab the middle school male readers that it targets. Despite a great opening, where Sean shows off his excellent verbal sparring skills with a school troublemaker, the book lacks action. The mystery surrounding Sean's father must carry most of the book and may not hold readers. The publishers seem to want to hide the book from the target audience as well. The book's cover shows a boy who looks much older than the main characters and the synopsis on the jacket never mentions Justin's age.
Author Torrey Maldonado was raised in Red Hook and has created authentic characters who must deal not only with their personal dramas but must navigate violence and crime. Though Sean makes some bad choices, he learns important lessons, and both boys steer clear of drugs and gangs and prove good role models for middle school readers. Maldonado imparts advice through his characters that boys need to hear--be yourself and don't put up a front with your friends. Follow this path and many boys will call you "soft and gay," the characters in the book fear, but they learn that always being "hard" leads to trouble.
But this book may not grab the middle school male readers that it targets. Despite a great opening, where Sean shows off his excellent verbal sparring skills with a school troublemaker, the book lacks action. The mystery surrounding Sean's father must carry most of the book and may not hold readers. The publishers seem to want to hide the book from the target audience as well. The book's cover shows a boy who looks much older than the main characters and the synopsis on the jacket never mentions Justin's age.
July 28, 2010
Justin, a sixth grader in New York's tough Red Hook neighborhood, has a lot in common with his best friend, Sean. Both boys are half black and half Puerto Rican, fans of rap, and though neither realize it, both are keeping secrets about their absent fathers. As Sean begins to flounder in school, hang with a tougher crowd, and bully other kids, they grow apart. But when Justin learns Sean's secret he turns to his other friends and adults in his life to help him repair his relationship with Sean.
Author Torrey Maldonado was raised in Red Hook and has created authentic characters who must deal not only with their personal dramas but must navigate violence and crime. Though Sean makes some bad choices, he learns important lessons, and both boys steer clear of drugs and gangs and prove to be good role models for middle school readers. Maldonado imparts advice through his characters that boys need to hear--be yourself and don't put up a front with your friends. Follow this path and many boys will call you "soft and gay," the characters in the book fear, but they learn that always being "hard" leads to trouble.
But this book may not grab the middle school male readers that it targets. Despite a great opening, where Sean shows off his excellent verbal sparring skills with a school troublemaker, the book lacks action. The mystery surrounding Sean's father must carry most of the book and may not hold readers. The publishers seem to want to hide the book from the target audience as well. The book's cover shows a boy who looks much older than the main characters and the synopsis on the jacket never mentions Justin's age.
Author Torrey Maldonado was raised in Red Hook and has created authentic characters who must deal not only with their personal dramas but must navigate violence and crime. Though Sean makes some bad choices, he learns important lessons, and both boys steer clear of drugs and gangs and prove to be good role models for middle school readers. Maldonado imparts advice through his characters that boys need to hear--be yourself and don't put up a front with your friends. Follow this path and many boys will call you "soft and gay," the characters in the book fear, but they learn that always being "hard" leads to trouble.
But this book may not grab the middle school male readers that it targets. Despite a great opening, where Sean shows off his excellent verbal sparring skills with a school troublemaker, the book lacks action. The mystery surrounding Sean's father must carry most of the book and may not hold readers. The publishers seem to want to hide the book from the target audience as well. The book's cover shows a boy who looks much older than the main characters and the synopsis on the jacket never mentions Justin's age.
March 19, 2012
Not deathless prose or a terribly original story, BUT...Justin and Sean live in the projects and go to a pretty tough school. Sean's been following his mother's advice for years: diss or be dissed on. Sean's smart and fast. He uses words as weapons. But Justin, his best friend, and the narrator of the book, sees Sean's playful, loyal side and dismisses the word play.
Something's not right...as 6th grade progresses, Sean takes mysterious trips with his mother on the weekends and then lies to his friends about the trips. He begins to attack classmates with no mercy, always knowing how to wound and draw verbal blood. Then there're the fights. Sean doesn't use his fists -- he uses his words.
Justin, along with Kyle and Vanessa learn Sean's secret after a violent incident at school that leaves Sean taking an enforced 'vacation' after Christmas Break. But now that they know the truth, what should they do?
There are many strengths to this book: the friendship, the gritty school, the realism. I felt, tho, that the story was predictable. I'm not a 6th grader, and obviously NOT the intended audience.
I think this could easily appeal to my struggling readers, simply because they view school through a similar lens as these kids -- school is a siege, a battle. School is where you get picked on unless you find a way to protect yourself. School is not for the weak hearted. That is the main strength of the book -- it tells the truth about what school can be for some kids.
Something's not right...as 6th grade progresses, Sean takes mysterious trips with his mother on the weekends and then lies to his friends about the trips. He begins to attack classmates with no mercy, always knowing how to wound and draw verbal blood. Then there're the fights. Sean doesn't use his fists -- he uses his words.
Justin, along with Kyle and Vanessa learn Sean's secret after a violent incident at school that leaves Sean taking an enforced 'vacation' after Christmas Break. But now that they know the truth, what should they do?
There are many strengths to this book: the friendship, the gritty school, the realism. I felt, tho, that the story was predictable. I'm not a 6th grader, and obviously NOT the intended audience.
I think this could easily appeal to my struggling readers, simply because they view school through a similar lens as these kids -- school is a siege, a battle. School is where you get picked on unless you find a way to protect yourself. School is not for the weak hearted. That is the main strength of the book -- it tells the truth about what school can be for some kids.
February 14, 2012
In Secret Saturdays, debut author and seasoned educator Torrey Maldonado tells the story of two pre-teen boys who try to keep their friendship going amidst school bullying, absent fathers, and troubles at home. Sean and Justin are best friends who survive through the streets of their tough neighborhood, together. When Sean starts keeping secrets, getting in trouble at school, and distancing himself, Justin wants to find out what’s going on with his friend before he gets in real trouble. Maldonado has told the story of real boys and their real problems, who have recognizable voices and vast personalities. I fell for Sean and Justin right away and pulled for their renewed friendship throughout their struggles. And because I read most stories with my teacher hat on, I was hooked by Maldonado’s use of poetry, rhythm, and music to compose this important and important account. “I mixed my passion for writing and teaching and made Secret Saturdays, which can help young people better handle tough times and gives them an exciting read” –Maldonado on Secret Saturdays. To read more, visit http://www.torreymaldonado.com/
December 3, 2013
Genre- Teen Real Problems
Justin is a biracial kid living in the bad part of the city, attending an inner-city school, and coping with drug dealers, no father, and an unsure identity. When his best friend, Sean, starts acting weird by bullying others, coming late to school and lying about where he goes on the weekends, Justin's emotions run form confusion, to hurt, to anger. Though Sean told his friends his father was in Puerto Rico, he is really in jail- which is where Justin has been going on the weekends to visit him.
Maldonado strives to use kid-speak in his characters' dialogue and inner-monologues, strives to appeal to young teen interests with the incorporation of dares, detention, rap and music videos, but despite all of his efforts the book comes across as not quite believable. Though the situation is common in many inner-city schools, Maldonado's characters lack the depth of development seen by other authors such as Hopkins, Anderson, or McCormick; his characters do too much telling of what they see and feel and not enough showing- helping the reader form that intimate bond with the book.
Justin is a biracial kid living in the bad part of the city, attending an inner-city school, and coping with drug dealers, no father, and an unsure identity. When his best friend, Sean, starts acting weird by bullying others, coming late to school and lying about where he goes on the weekends, Justin's emotions run form confusion, to hurt, to anger. Though Sean told his friends his father was in Puerto Rico, he is really in jail- which is where Justin has been going on the weekends to visit him.
Maldonado strives to use kid-speak in his characters' dialogue and inner-monologues, strives to appeal to young teen interests with the incorporation of dares, detention, rap and music videos, but despite all of his efforts the book comes across as not quite believable. Though the situation is common in many inner-city schools, Maldonado's characters lack the depth of development seen by other authors such as Hopkins, Anderson, or McCormick; his characters do too much telling of what they see and feel and not enough showing- helping the reader form that intimate bond with the book.
November 28, 2009
When I read this book, I could experience what it was like for a young boy to grow up in the Red Hook projects of Brooklyn. Having taught middle school for almost 30 years, I instantly realized what a great read this would be for middle school students. Not only would adolescents identify with Sean and Justin, but they would be intrigued by the mystery in the plot line. As a teacher I know that the choices that Sean eventually made were ones that we would hope all young males in the throws of adolescence would make.
One thing I especially enjoyed about Secret Saturdays was the way Torrey Maldonado captured the language, the self-consciousness, and the false bravado of thirteen year old boys. The close friendship of Sean and Justin was also something that all middle school students-- either boys or girls--will identify with.
This book is a must read for all middle school students, especially those living in urban environments or in single-parent households. I truly enjoyed this great new novel for young readers!
One thing I especially enjoyed about Secret Saturdays was the way Torrey Maldonado captured the language, the self-consciousness, and the false bravado of thirteen year old boys. The close friendship of Sean and Justin was also something that all middle school students-- either boys or girls--will identify with.
This book is a must read for all middle school students, especially those living in urban environments or in single-parent households. I truly enjoyed this great new novel for young readers!
January 25, 2011
Justin and Sean have been friends forever. Sean has always had Justin’s back. Instead of fighting with fists, Sean has always fought with words. Lately something has been bothering Sean. Lately his dissing has become mean and hateful. He has begun using his fists. Justin, Vanessa and Kyle are concerned. Then Justin and Kyle notice Sean and his mother sneaking out at night and no one knows where they are going or why. Could this be the reason Sean has changed?
Torrey Maldonado has crafted characters that are right on target. By this I mean they are very believable. As a teacher I see similar behavior all the time. I’ve never taught in the type of school Maldonado has created for his characters. I know they exist in larger areas around me. I believe this is a book that should be in every school. We have a bully program and I will be recommending it to those in charge of the program. I am going to promote this book to all of my fellow teachers and my students. This is one that must be read. It has a message that is so important to our youth today.
Torrey Maldonado has crafted characters that are right on target. By this I mean they are very believable. As a teacher I see similar behavior all the time. I’ve never taught in the type of school Maldonado has created for his characters. I know they exist in larger areas around me. I believe this is a book that should be in every school. We have a bully program and I will be recommending it to those in charge of the program. I am going to promote this book to all of my fellow teachers and my students. This is one that must be read. It has a message that is so important to our youth today.
May 16, 2012
This was an entertaining book but a little to didactic for my tastes. I understand that Maldonado was trying to send a message about being true and being yourself but it just went a little overboard for me. The young characters were likable and interesting but I didn't really buy the whole reasoning for the "secret saturdays." I can't really say more about this without giving away too much of the plot.
I will say that the TV show at the end, a takeoff of Oprah, was just a little too much. I think that I read that Maldonado worked with kids but he doesn't really trust them to come to any conclusions on their own. He doesn't think that they'll get his message unless he keeps repeating it. That's depressing to me. I think that kids, especially kids who read, are little more intuitive and able to grasp ideas without being hit over the head.
This review makes it sound like I didn't like this book and that's not really true. It was fine but would have been better if the author would give kids a little more credit.
I will say that the TV show at the end, a takeoff of Oprah, was just a little too much. I think that I read that Maldonado worked with kids but he doesn't really trust them to come to any conclusions on their own. He doesn't think that they'll get his message unless he keeps repeating it. That's depressing to me. I think that kids, especially kids who read, are little more intuitive and able to grasp ideas without being hit over the head.
This review makes it sound like I didn't like this book and that's not really true. It was fine but would have been better if the author would give kids a little more credit.
September 13, 2016
Great book. I hope this book is chosen for World Book Night in the future.
I agree with the endorsement of Rita Williams-Garcia that this book is "Playground tough with a sweet center." It's a clean read. The strongest language is people being called "Bighead" and sucking their teeth. Since it is set in the Red Hook projects, I was braced for harsh language. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a clean read. The story addresses the importance of guys having the freedom to be vulnerable with the people they're closest too and not having to be tough all the time.
The author, Torrey Maldonado, references a book on page 185 titled "How Can We Make Being a Man Mean More?" This book doesn't seem to exist. I wonder if Torrey Maldonado is planning to write it.
The theme of vulnerability falls in line with the work of Brene Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okz6OJ...
I agree with the endorsement of Rita Williams-Garcia that this book is "Playground tough with a sweet center." It's a clean read. The strongest language is people being called "Bighead" and sucking their teeth. Since it is set in the Red Hook projects, I was braced for harsh language. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a clean read. The story addresses the importance of guys having the freedom to be vulnerable with the people they're closest too and not having to be tough all the time.
The author, Torrey Maldonado, references a book on page 185 titled "How Can We Make Being a Man Mean More?" This book doesn't seem to exist. I wonder if Torrey Maldonado is planning to write it.
The theme of vulnerability falls in line with the work of Brene Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okz6OJ...
January 2, 2013
Appeal Characteristics: friendship, secrets, bullying, urban lifestyle, father-son relationship, low income families, public schools, hip-hop/rap
Sometimes people hurt others only because they're hurting. That basically sums up this whole book. It was an interesting look at life from biracial perspective of Hispanic/Black culture. This is another great look at being a young male without a father and how it affects your identity especially in "coming of age stories." The group of friends is the center of the story because most kids have "their" circle of friends...friends they trust, friends who they think of as family. I felt the main message is that friends can help/hurt their friends lives for better or worse depending on how they handle some of the situations they go through.
Sometimes people hurt others only because they're hurting. That basically sums up this whole book. It was an interesting look at life from biracial perspective of Hispanic/Black culture. This is another great look at being a young male without a father and how it affects your identity especially in "coming of age stories." The group of friends is the center of the story because most kids have "their" circle of friends...friends they trust, friends who they think of as family. I felt the main message is that friends can help/hurt their friends lives for better or worse depending on how they handle some of the situations they go through.
January 3, 2013
Appeal Characteristics: friendship, secrets, bullying, urban lifestyle, father-son relationship, low income families, public schools, hip-hop/rap
Sometimes people hurt others only because they're hurting. That basically sums up this whole book. It was an interesting look at life from biracial perspective of Hispanic/Black culture. This is another great look at being a young male without a father and how it affects your identity especially in "coming of age stories." The group of friends is the center of the story because most kids have "their" circle of friends...friends they trust, friends who they think of as family. I felt the main message is that friends can help/hurt their friends lives for better or worse depending on how they handle some of the situations they go through.
Red Flags: Mild Violence, Name Calling, Mild Rap Lyrics
Sometimes people hurt others only because they're hurting. That basically sums up this whole book. It was an interesting look at life from biracial perspective of Hispanic/Black culture. This is another great look at being a young male without a father and how it affects your identity especially in "coming of age stories." The group of friends is the center of the story because most kids have "their" circle of friends...friends they trust, friends who they think of as family. I felt the main message is that friends can help/hurt their friends lives for better or worse depending on how they handle some of the situations they go through.
Red Flags: Mild Violence, Name Calling, Mild Rap Lyrics
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