Hands — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceSupporting
- Scary contentBrief
- Race & cultureBrief
- Gender rolesBriefTraditional roles
Not found
- Religion
- Profanity
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender & orientation
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
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Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
The author of What Lane? and Tight delivers a fast-paced read that packs a punch about a boy figuring out how to best use his hands—to build or to knock down.
Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters, especially from his stepdad. But his stepdad’s return stresses Trev—because when he left, he threatened Trev’s mom. Rather than live scared, Trev takes matters into his own hands, literally. He starts learning to box to handle his stepdad. But not everyone is a fan of his plan, because Trev’s a talented artist, and his hands could actually help him build a better future. And they’re letting him know—but their advice for some distant future feels useless in his reality right now. Ultimately, Trev knows his future is in his hands, and his hands are his own, and he has to choose how to use them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hands appropriate for a 7-year-old?
Trev's stepfather went to prison for punching his mother, fistfights between boys and men are described, and Trev learns to box to protect his family. Trev is stressed about his stepfather's release after the man threatened his mother, and a man is implied to have died in gang violence.
Does Hands have violence?
Found (Supporting): Trev's stepfather went to prison for punching his mother, fistfights between boys and men are described, and Trev learns to box to protect his family.
Does Hands have scary content?
Found (Brief): Trev is stressed about his stepfather's release after the man threatened his mother, and a man is implied to have died in gang violence.
Does Hands have religion?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Hands have race & culture?
Found (Brief): Trev, his family and the community around him are Black, and Black men in the neighborhood and in boxing history appear as mentors and role models; no racism is described.
Does Hands have profanity?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Hands have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Hands have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Hands have gender roles?
Found (Brief, Traditional roles): Trev feels pressure from media, friends and his neighborhood to fight, and sees himself as the protector of his mom and sisters, while the uncles steer him toward other choices.
Does Hands have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
