Hands

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Torrey Maldonado writes about serious topics like domestic violence and toxic masculinity, designing his narratives for a middle-grade audience. Did he handle these subjects with the right amount of care and realism for the intended readers? Why or why not? What was most impactful about his approach?

2. How does Hands compare to the author’s other works, like What Lane? or Tight? Do you see a continuation of similar themes or an evolution in his writing style?

3. Did the hopeful resolution feel earned after the intensity of Trevor’s journey? Why or why not?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel repeatedly emphasizes the importance of a supportive “village,” and Trevor relies on several different “uncles” to guide him. Who are the “uncles” or mentors in your own life, and what makes their support meaningful?

2. When has a promise or a sense of duty pulled you in different directions, like it does for Trevor? Ms. Clark advises that a promise shouldn’t hurt one’s own potential. How does this advice resonate with your own experiences of navigating difficult commitments?

3. Trevor feels emotionally stuck, comparing himself to a fidget spinner that “spins so fast but stays in one spot” (39). Have you ever felt a similar sense of being trapped? What helped you regain forward momentum?

4. The book presents many models of strength, from the stepfather’s physical aggression to Ma’s quiet resilience and Uncle Larry’s intellectual guidance. In your own experience, what does it mean to be strong?

5. Trevor feels that he must choose between becoming an artist who creates and a fighter who destroys. Have you ever felt a tension between different aspects of your own personality or talents? How did you resolve this conflict?

6. Ma keeps a happy photo of herself with her husband, which confuses Trevor and complicates his view of their relationship. Have you ever had to grapple with a positive memory from a difficult relationship?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The idea of a “village” raising a child is central to the story, but Trevor’s village is imperfect, with some members initially hesitating to get involved. What does the novel suggest about the challenges and responsibilities of community intervention in private family matters?

2. How does the novel challenge or reinforce common societal ideas about what it means to be a man? Where else do you see these pressures on young men today?

3. The author’s note reveals Maldonado’s mission to write books that provide authentic representation for young men of color, thereby creating the very stories that he needed to hear when he was a child. How does this novel contribute to a more diverse and realistic landscape in children’s literature?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Many classic young-adult novels explore themes of violence and belonging. How does Trevor’s journey compare to stories like S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, where young men also form a tight-knit “village” and grapple with cycles of conflict?

2. What distinct roles do the three main uncles (Frankie, Puff, and Larry) play in Trevor’s development? How does each man offer a different model of masculinity that contrasts with the toxic example set by Trevor’s stepfather?

3. How does the central symbol of “hands” evolve throughout the novel?

4. How does Trevor’s nightmare identify the essence of his long-held fears? What makes this psychological turning point more critical than any physical confrontation?

5. How do the various conflicting promises—Trevor’s promise to his mother, the stepfather’s directive that Trevor use his fists, and Uncle Lou’s request to his friends—examine different aspects of Breaking the Cycles of Trauma and Abuse?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Trevor has a talent for drawing comics and superheroes. If you were to create a comic-book cover for Hands, what title would you give it, and what single image would you draw to capture Trevor’s choice between his fists and his art?

2. What additional movie, song, or book would you recommend to Trevor to help him process his feelings about strength and family? Why might this choice resonate with him?

3. Imagine a brief scene set one year after the novel’s conclusion. What are Trevor’s hands doing, and how does this action reflect the person he has become?