If I could be small again, Monique told me at the playground’s fence, slurring her words and watching Caitlin sob, I’d want to have a friend like her.

I start laughing. You have to laugh. Life is just funny sometimes. As long as you remember.

Secret Saturdays ought to be required reading at middle schools everywhere. Maldonado gives us both voice and heart. His young characters navigate a challenging world with endearing earnestness, lively style, and a heartening desire for true friendship and dignity.

Mostly you realize you can handle it. You'd rather turn it all upside down and dump it out and watch it scatter and disappear. You'd rather do that, because you don't want to have to handle it. You really don't. It's too stupid and crazy and incredibly, incredibly unfair. But you do handle it. Because the thing you learn is that you can.