Throughout this book, I found myself reading through the eyes of a middle grade student. With my adult lens, I could see the signs of danger, but would a tween? This is an important read for all students, no matter their gender, It will leave the reader with questions, but also with deeper awareness. I’d love to discuss this book with students to hear their perspectives.

This book tackles some very tough themes, so I definitely have to start off by saying that it might not be for everyone. The main plot revolves around the thirteen year old main character, Julia, suffering a traumatic event in which she narrowly escapes being kidnapped and used for child trafficking. The author of this book volunteers for several anti-trafficking organizations, and has an authors note at the very beginning of the book explaining that she wrote this to help inform children about what preventative measures they can take to protect themselves and others.

There were times when continuing to read was particularly hard, because Julia was clearly going through a lot while feeling like she had very little support. As well-meaning as some of the people around her might have been, there were definitely moments when their words and actions were not what Julia needed at the time. I can imagine that many of the middle-grade readers who pick up this book will be able to identify with Julia’s sense of loneliness and isolation. I’m hoping that they learn valuable lessons from these pages.

There was only one thing that I wasn’t sure how to feel about with this book, and it was the author’s treatment of Nori. Julia’s best friend, Nori, is Japanese American, and there were times where I felt uncomfortable with how many times the author seemed to remind the readers of this fact. Whether it be the fact that Nori almost immediately mentions mochi in one of her first conversations with Julia, the descriptions of cherry blossoms and kanji in Nori’s house, or the repeated reminder that Nori’s mom is almost always cooking Japanese food.

Regardless, It Happened on Saturday is a book with messages about safety and communication that are, I believe, absolutely essential for the youth of today. As our lives become more and more online, children need to realized the dangers that come along with this. I think Dunlap did a good job at treating these topics with the care and attention that they deserve.

When I first saw the summary of this book I knew that I had to read this book because of how close it hit to home for me. I highly recommend this book for all middle graders as they gain access to the internet and not to instill fear in them but to begin to have the conversation about internet safety. I really enjoyed the way that this book handled things and allowed for the main character to have feelings. I also really liked the way that the family tries to support our main character and how her sister has a regular response for a teenager. While the sister is worried for her younger sister, she is also angry about what this means for her now.

This is a must read book. The book shows how fast life can be changed. How easy it is to.trust someone Else online. They are out there ready to.groom you. The books tells the importance of belonging,family ties and friendships. Teach your Kids the importance of not sharing everything on the internet. And last but not least you can overcome trauma. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

It happened on Saturday, is a book that should be in every book lover's radar. The book touches on some very real and important issues we encounter day by day.

We meet Julia, and she is navigating through the difficulties of adolescence. Her friends are changing, becoming more interested in makeup, clothes and of course boys. When she asks her older sister for a makeover, Julia posts her new image online and catches a lot of attention. Especially of a young boy named Tyler. He immediately wants to start a friendship and takes advantage of social media to track her down. Julia is smitten by his attention and starts to meet him in secret. Unfortunately, Tyler has another agenda, and Julia will have to use all her wits to survive. This book discusses the dangers our children face as technology becomes more and more prominent in their lives.

The author gave us such a powerful story of how human trafficking can occur in the blink of an eye. It is amazing that she is so involved with the anti trafficking movement. This story is just a reminder to always make time to talk to your children about the dangers of trusting everything they see on the internet.

Characters

Even when reading a Middle-Grade Novel, I still try to find characters that I enjoy reading about. It Happened on Saturday had Julia, a lovely main character, who was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed reading her story. Julia loved horses, and working at the barn, as someone who also loves horses, I loved seeing horses play an element in the story. Nori, Maria, Gabi, and Chloe were fantastic friends to Julia, who had interesting stories of their own to tell. I enjoyed Julia’s family as well because they supported Julia in her love of horses, and they saw how much she loved them. After the events in this book, Julia’s friends and family wanted to help her bounce back, and get better. I just loved how much they all cared for her.

Plot

It Happened On Saturday follows Julia as she learns the lessons of social media, and what can happen when you talk to strangers online. Sex Trafficking is a subplot of this story, and I feel that readers should know that before they read. This was a story of friendship, finding out who your friends are, and repairing friendships with those close to you. Julia kept things from her friends and family when she was meeting with Tyler, and she also learned the lesson that you need to tell your friends and family where you’re going in case something goes wrong. A support group helps Julia heal, along with her friends and family, and I loved the support group element of this.

Writing

Sydney Dunlap tells a very important story with It Happened On Saturday. With a book like this, you need to handle the topics in a way that young readers will understand, but there also needs to be a way that you can teach them the lessons they need to learn, especially when it comes to social media. There were some fun scenes in this book, and these had a light-hearted tone, where you could see the characters were having fun, and enjoying themselves. Given the content, there were also some very intense and serious scenes in this book. They talked these topics about with care, and in a way that readers of any age can enjoy the story and learn something.

Friendship

I talked about it in the characters section, but I loved the friendships in this book. It would have been very easy for Julia’s friends to judge her for talking to Tyler, and they might have talked to her parents about it, which wasn’t what Julia wanted. Once Julia tells them what happened, her friends were supportive, and offered an ear if Julia needed it, but also a way to take her mind off of the situation. Chloe was a friend when Julia needed one in her support group to recover.

Recommended for & Enjoyment

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a Middle-Grade novel with a lot of heart, and one that tackles tough topics. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was hard to read in some places, but I thought it was an important story.

This book was a nice short read, a reminder that anything could happen to anyone.
It was not what I was expecting, but I'm okay with it.
I envy the friendship between Julia and Nori

The impacts of social media is a beast that any middle school student has to filter through. This book brings to light serious issues such as sex trafficking that children and parents need to know about. It approaches the issue with enough tenderness that a middle school student can read it, but this book also shows the reality and scariness of it as well. This book opened my eyes to conversations I need to have with my personal child ASAP.

I recommend this read for all children considering getting a social media account.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Synopsis:

Thirteen-year-old Julia would much rather work with horses at the rescue barn than worry about things like dating and makeup. But when her BFF meets a boy at camp, Julia’s determined not to get left behind. After a makeover from her older sister, she posts a picture of herself online and gets a comment from Tyler—a seemingly nice kid who lives across town. As they DM more and more, Julia’s sure that Tyler understands her in a way her family never has. Even better, their relationship earns her tons of attention at school. Then Julia finds out Tyler’s true plan, and her world is turned upside down. She fiercely guards her secret, but could her silence allow her friends to fall into the same trap? In this timely, heartfelt debut, author Sydney Dunlap tells a story of a middle-school girl who narrowly escapes becoming a victim of human trafficking and must find her way toward hope and healing after this traumatic event.

The writing in this book seemed a little unpolished at times, but overall I did enjoy it. It has a powerful message for tween and teen readers about the dangers of communicating online with strangers. Eighth-grader Julia has just spent the summer alone while her best friend was away at camp and her other friends moved across the country. When her best friend returns, she has a boyfriend and Julia feels like the third wheel. Her parents and older sister are always busy so when a boy named Tyler starts talking to her online, Julia starts chatting with him. After several weeks, she agrees to meet him at the mall, convincing herself that it's okay to keep Tyler a secret from her family. The story is pretty predictable, but again, I think this is an important book for kids to read.

Thanks to North Star Editions, Jolly Fish Press, and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

This is such an important book, and I’m having my oldest, 14y girl read it. I think it’s done very realistically, and very much how kids today think this would never happen…going against parent rules, and then it can/does happen (ie reasons why parents make rules and realizing they are for good reasons - hope that makes sense).

It’s a Middlegrade novel about a girl who almost gets abducted for trafficking, via a message from an unknown person who poses as a guy almost her age but goes to another school, after posting a picture of herself. He pretends to be interested and gets her to come with him to meet a sex trafficker, where things didn’t go right and she actually gets away. Nothing physically happens to her, it’s all very clean, but she then deals with anxiety and fear and starts counseling afterwards. It is very well done, depicts well about a girls feelings and thoughts that could lead to this, her response to it, and how easy it could happen.

A powerful book for middle grade readers about trafficking, written in a sensitive way. A caveat, red flag signs, and how to avoid/ get out.

When the email came through about the Book Tour for It Happened on Saturday I was heartened after reading the synopsis that someone has highlighted this important issue surrounding Kids using social media and it's pitfalls.

I liked the Main Character Julia and felt for her throughout this story and particular scenes which hit me were her interactions with Brandy the Horse who was being cared for by Julia who realised how they needed this and the tables were turned when they recognised that Julia needed some care and attention.

It was clear that Syndey knew her stuff when it came to this series subject which in my view is not talked about enough and was done in a way that it was not too scary but pulled enough punch to get the reader thinking and that is why I believe that this book should be on the School's curriculum no matter what.

For all the above reasons I am giving It Happened On Saturday 5 stars and ask that whoever reads this review goes and pick up this book and read it

First of all, wow. This book was nothing like what I thought it would be but it’s ok! Julia just wanted to fit in and date like her contemporaries do but having strict parents made that feel impossible. Though this is tagged as a middle grade, accurately so, it does deal with some heavy themes. Personally, I feel like this would be the perfect addition in schools, because it deals with something very real; tween online relationships. Internet safety that results in the prevention of human trafficking is so important and though it was a little hard to read at times, this book handled it so well.

𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤:
✨ I’d always thought it was pretty cool how horses made it so clear who they liked, who they put up with, and who they couldn’t stand
✨ Isn’t that what friendship is all about? Trusting someone enough to let them in on the good stuff and the bad?

I love books that create awareness through the story. This book is one among them. "It happened on Saturday" by Sydney Dunlap talks about human trafficking and the trauma the person goes through after being abducted.

The protagonist Julia wants nothing more than a sleepover with her best friend, Nori, when Nori returns from the art camp. But Nori has other priorities, like spending time with a boy she met in art camp. The author portrayed how a 13-year-old girl missed her best friend's presence in everything she did.

I feel so connected to Julia in many ways. She loves horses and cats just like I do. Relatable characters in a book make it even more lovable. Her love for horses was so good to read. When Julia's mother and her sister didn't find enough time to spend with her, she ended up chatting online with a stranger. Her circumstances made her choose the wrong person, who almost ruined her life.

There are so many things I wished that happened differently like if only her mother had spent some time with her, or if only her dad checked out who she's been going out with, or if only her sister had been more mature, or if only the world is a little better place outside the house, she wouldn't have gone through such bad experience at such a young age.

I appreciate the author for including the trauma Julia has been going through after being abducted. It gave more insight into how a victim feels after facing such a worst thing. I love how gradually she gains the strength to accept what had happened and tries to move on.

My favorite line in this book is: "Courage doesn’t mean you don’t feel afraid. It means you don’t let the fear stop you."

Overall, it was a wonderful experience reading this book.

Julia’s best friend gets a boyfriend. Like any other middle school girl, Julia feels lonely and left out. So, Julia turns online to find her own boyfriend. Tyler is so nice and pays attention to Julia, making her feel special. But things with Tyler are too good to be true. Tyler isn’t whom Julia thinks he is.

Wow! Dunlap provides us with a stunning book about what it’s like to be a middle school girl and feel lonely. She guides us through the loneliness and manipulation that can lead to human trafficking. Then, gently shows us what the recovery can be like for each family member after the scare. This is a must-read book for middle school girls and anyone that knows or teaches middle school girls! I highly recommend it! 5/5 stars.

This is a book that every teen and pre-teen needs to read. It's a well written story that deals with a very real problem, child trafficking. It's wrote with sensitivity and care. Grab this book for your child, it could save their life.
I received a complimentary copy from North Star Editions, Jolly Fish Press via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. . All opinions expressed are my own.

It Happened On Saturday is the most recent book I finished, and I do not have the words for how important this work of fiction is for young girls to read.

The story follows young 13 year old Julia as she starts eighth grade. We follow her navigation of life and friend changes that lead to her narrowly escaping a human trafficking ring. I have to admit that, after reading this book, I cried and held my little girls tighter. The most interesting thing about the novel, is that Julia is experiencing such normal tween and early teen life troubles that it shows just how easily it can happen to any child. The dangers of messaging with a stranger on social media are very readily apparent as you read through but Julia's actions as she works through her trauma show just how strong and smart girls can be!

This book shares an important lesson that EVERYONE should read.

This was a middle-grade school story with some fairly heavy topics. Julia was dealing with her friends dating, bullying, fairly strict parents, and found herself dating secretly. The worst almost happened, and she was brave enough to speak out with the help of friends, family, and therapy. It was a touching story, though I felt it dragged a bit now and then. Overall, a good story with a lesson attached.

I received a copy through Netgalley and North Star Editions, and this is my unsolicited review.

This is such a difficult one, it's hard to know how to review! Not because it's not well written - it's very well written - but because the topic is such a difficult one. It's horrifying to think that we need our kids to be aware of things like this.

Julia reads like a thirteen year old, unlike some novel characters who seem far too old. Her problems are teenage problems, overwhelming to her and recognisable to any teenage reader. From outside the story, it's easy to see just how skilled Tyler was at manipulating her, even down to 'accidentally' being unable to meet up with her friends.

It's tough to think that our kids need to know about this, but if they do, at least we have amazing books like this one to teach them. This deserves a place in every classroom and on every bookshelf. Fantastic.

When Julia’s best friend is all of a sudden wearing makeup, and is showing up with a boyfriend, everything changes. Not wanting to be the third wheel, Julia distances herself from Nori. But now she is all alone. Maybe her own makeover will get someone’s attention, too. A quick post on Instagram, and sure enough, a cute older boy messages her. “Tyler is so sweet and really cares about me.” But is he really the person he pretends to be?

It Happened on Saturday is a story about the terrifying reality millions of families must face. Every year thousands of youth under eighteen are lured or forced into trafficking. Bringing awareness can save lives. Because it can happen to anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or gender. We must educate ourselves and our children and give them the tools and confidence to keep themselves safe.

I picked this book because I want to prepare myself for when I will have a tween at home. A person who will start to develop their independence through defiance, impulsivity and emotionality. I want to be there for them without being too much of a helicopter parent. But the world is scary, and social media makes it easier for predators/traffickers to find victims. And that terrifies me. But all I can do is educate myself and learn to give my child the right tools to make smart choices and be safe.

Julia’s story is an extremely important one that should be shared with every tween. I practically flew through the pages. At times, anxious about what might happen - my heart racing. Other times crying my heart out, accompanying Julia’s pain. It was a very emotional book that told one of the scariest stories I can imagine. But it was also a very important one for me. I will keep this book on the list of books to read with my future tween.