An urban novel with the power and intensity of Walter Dean Myers's books

Sean is Justin's best friend - or at least Justin thought he was. But lately Sean has been acting differently. He's been telling lies, getting into trouble at school, hanging out with a tougher crowd, even getting into fights. 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 will trying to save Sean jeopardize their friendship? Should Justin risk losing his best friend in order to save him?
© Torrey Maldonado
Torrey Maldonado is a teacher born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he still lives. Secret Saturdays is inspired by his life and the experiences of his students. View titles by Torrey Maldonado
“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

About

An urban novel with the power and intensity of Walter Dean Myers's books

Sean is Justin's best friend - or at least Justin thought he was. But lately Sean has been acting differently. He's been telling lies, getting into trouble at school, hanging out with a tougher crowd, even getting into fights. 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 will trying to save Sean jeopardize their friendship? Should Justin risk losing his best friend in order to save him?

Author

© Torrey Maldonado
Torrey Maldonado is a teacher born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he still lives. Secret Saturdays is inspired by his life and the experiences of his students. View titles by Torrey Maldonado

Praise

“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

PRH Education High School Collections

All reading communities should contain protected time for the sake of reading. Independent reading practices emphasize the process of making meaning through reading, not an end product. The school culture (teachers, administration, etc.) should affirm this daily practice time as inherently important instructional time for all readers. (NCTE, 2019)   The Penguin Random House High

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PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

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PRH Education Classroom Libraries

“Books are a students’ passport to entering and actively participating in a global society with the empathy, compassion, and knowledge it takes to become the problem solvers the world needs.” –Laura Robb   Research shows that reading and literacy directly impacts students’ academic success and personal growth. To help promote the importance of daily independent

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