Torrey Maldonado with a Sports Book List & Inscribed GIVEAWAY! // #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023: Torrey Maldonado with a Sports Book List

Torrey Maldonado with a Sports Book List & Inscribed GIVEAWAY! // #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023

January 2, 2023

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023 in partnership with Children’s Book Council is thrilled to kick off our series with Torrey Maldonado who brings a diverse middle grade sports list to inspire greatness.

We also have a giveaway of an inscribed copy of Torrey’s latest book, Hands. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.

Hands by Torrey Maldonado

Twelve-year-old Trevor is a gifted comic book artist, a good student, and would do anything to protect his mom and sisters. But his stepdad’s return stresses Trev—because when he left, he threatened Trev’s mom. Listening to messages from media, a friend, and his neighborhood, he thinks he needs to learn to “throw hands,” and trains to box as good as Muhammad Ali and Creed on his bedroom wall’s posters and others. He bulks up and, at almost six feet tall, gets so nice with his hands he feels ready to protect his mother. But is he? Everyone isn’t a fan of his plan because Trev’s artistic talents could help him build a better future. After over twenty-five years of teaching tweens and teens, I know many young people see muscles as strength or feel they’re alone to solve their problems. Hands is a tale of responsibility, questions what strength is, and shows much can be achieved by an individual, yet more can be done with a team. The book also shows how some who don’t seem strong can be the strongest. Uncle Larry compares Trevor’s mother to the Jedi, saying: “You know the Jedi have the Force? Well, your mother is a force.” He highlights how using hands for violence means following Darth Vader’s path. Trevor comes to realize his future is in his hands, he has to choose how to use them, and he doesn’t have all the answers but has a village pointing him away from traps to treasures of life. Hands is based on my upbringing in Brooklyn’s Red Hook Houses and readers and critics are celebrating its universal and timeless themes and applaud it as accessible, engaging, and heartfelt. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]

Sports: Books Tying Together being the Best in Sports and in Life

Contenders by Traci Sorell

If you want to do real SEL (Social Emotional Learning) work with 6 – 9-year-olds while teaching them history, Contenders is for you. An inspirational true story with riveting imagery about resilience, following your heart despite threats of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in pro baseball. [picture book, ages 6 and up]

Soccer Queens by Charles R. Smith Jr.

A poetic tribute to soccer’s greatest US athletes. Dynamic rhymes full of energy and life plus award-worthy bold, graphic photo illustrations. Readers will be sparked to find their game and be their best. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

It’s not easy to be your true self, especially when others are against that. A moving book teaching readers they belong on the field, no matter if not everyone agrees. Told through the history of Los Angeles Dodger and Oakland Athletic Glenn Burke–the first professional baseball player to come out as gay. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]

The Ashe Brothers: How Arthur and Johnnie Changed Tennis Forever by Judy Allen Dodson, illustrated by David Wilkerson

Success doesn’t happen without help and sometimes hurdles must be overcome toward your goal. The Ashe Brothers show how Arthur Ashe navigated near-impossible hurdles of racism and segregation using his close relationship with his younger brother, Johnnie, to ultimately reach the top of the tennis world. Readers will also see how family means love, sibling rivalry, and unconditional support. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

Champion: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Jim Haskins, illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Champion explains and illustrates a timeless, key truth: fights happen, inside the ring and out. Absorbing art and words about how Ali fought for greatness on his own terms, providing an excellent model for how young people can do the same. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

Coming Up Short by Laurie Morrison

Coming Up Short takes readers through the heart and mind of one girl as she tries to be the best version of herself when it feels as if everything she loves and her family are falling apart. A tale of how to hold onto what matters as things slip out of your fingers. Readers will relate with and root for Bea while enjoying the world of softball and league championships. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]

The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron

A tale of forming friendships by not judging a book by its cover. Two who are unlikely to become friends, do. Set in the San Francisco Bay Area during the year the San Francisco Giants make it to the World Series and also the year that a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocks the area. A read that keeps you on the edge of your seat while seeing how communities can live in harmony despite differences. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

In this book, some boys won’t leave Mila alone. Unwanted hugs, flirting, and attention knock her off-center. Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila finds a friend and finds her footing in karate class. A gripping story about learning how to stand your ground, respect yourself, and get respect from others. A perfect book to teach young people about harassment and how to tell the difference between someone being friendly or inappropriate. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023 GIVEAWAY: Inscribed Copy of Hands by Torrey Maldonado

We are giving away an inscribed copy of Torrey’s latest book, Hands. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Torrey Maldonado was born and raised in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects. He has taught in New York City public schools for over 25 years and his fast-paced, compelling stories are inspired by his and his students’ experiences. His popular young readers novels include What Lane?, which won many starred reviews and was cited by Oprah Daily and the NY Times for being essential to discuss racism and allyship; Tight won the Christopher Award, was an ALA Notable Book, and an NPR and Washington Post Best Book of the Year; and his first novel, Secret Saturdays, has stayed in print for over ten years. His newest book, Hands, releases this January and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Learn more at torreymaldonado.com or connect on social media @torreymaldonado.

Join us for our Read Your World Virtual Party

Thursday, January 26, 2023

9:00 – 10:00 pm EST

We will be giving away 14+ book bundles!

Register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfuitrD4sGNbYdoYtet-LmApWC71XBMpY

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#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023 GIVEAWAY: Inscribed Copy of Hands by Torrey Maldonado, #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023: Torrey Maldonado with a Sports Book List, Hands by Torrey Maldonado

9 Comments

Mella
January 6, 2023 10:34 am

I love the mix of historical and contemporary in this list!
Brenna Pappert
January 6, 2023 12:47 pm

great list of books! Love it.
David Smith
January 6, 2023 1:19 pm

So many awesome books on this list! Can’t wait to get my hands on Hands!
BETH Raff
January 8, 2023 10:57 am

I like Becoming Muhammad Ali.
I also love the nonfiction book by Christine Soontornvat about the Thai soccer team cave rescue.
- Jenny Lussier
  January 25, 2023 3:39 pm
  
  I loved All 13 too! I didn’t know what to expect but ended up sitting down and reading the whole book in one sitting!
Lori
January 15, 2023 10:32 am

I loved The Magical Imperfect and All Thirteen. Becoming Muhammad Ali is a huge hit in my school library–as soon as it is returned, it’s checked out again.
Stephanie J
January 24, 2023 12:09 am

My kids loved the book Marvelous Mabel. It’s one we have read over and over again.
Jenny Lussier
January 25, 2023 3:38 pm

I love Jason Reynolds’ Ghost series. My personal kids and I loved listening to them as audiobooks!
Jenny Lussier
January 25, 2023 3:39 pm

I loved Jason Reynolds’ Ghost series. My personal kids and I loved listening to the audio books.

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