Secret Saturdays - Tapa dura

"This urban tale explores inner-city life for a middle school audience with sympathy and humor, while underscoring the emotional effects of hardship on the characters' lives...readers will find both insight and hope in Justin's efforts to help his friend."--"The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)"
-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)
"This is a story of friendship, survival, deception and relationships...a fast read, entertaining and high interest."--"Library Media Connection"
-- Library Media Connection
"Torrey Maldonado sticks his finger in an all too familiar hole of a brokenhearted urban community. Playground tough with a sweet center."--Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning and New York Times bestselling author of One Crazy Summer -- Rita Williams Garcia

This urban tale explores inner-city life for a middle school audience with sympathy and humor, while underscoring the emotional effects of hardship on the characters lives readers will find both insight and hope in Justin s efforts to help his friend. "The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books (BCCB)"
The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books (BCCB)
This is a story of friendship, survival, deception and relationships a fast read, entertaining and high interest. "Library Media Connection"
Library Media Connection
Torrey Maldonado sticks his finger in an all too familiar hole of a brokenhearted urban community.Playground tough with a sweet center. Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning and New York Times bestselling author of One Crazy Summer Rita Williams Garcia"

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.