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It Happened on Saturday
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?
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?
242 pages, Hardcover
Published February 20, 2023
34 people are currently reading
2819 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Dunlap
3 books71 followersSydney Dunlap is the author of the award-winning novels It Happened on Saturday and Racing the Clouds. Her work has received a Crystal Kite Honor, several medals, a School Library Journal starred review, and placement on multiple state reading lists. Sydney is a former elementary school teacher who has worked extensively with youth facing challenging circumstances, and she enjoys reading and writing heartfelt, hopeful books that explore tough topics not often addressed in middle grade literature. A lifelong animal lover, she lives with her husband and their two dogs and three cats, all rescues. Visit her online for discussion guides and other resources at www.sydneydunlap.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
November 21, 2023
This book has everything it needs to attract readers in grades 5 and up-school social dynamics on display, lack of communication between parent/child, and changing friendships plus also delivers a clear message about careless interactions with those “met” online. Julia is a highly relatable, realistic 8th grader who is trying to navigate fears about losing her best friend, find her way in the jungle that is junior high, and her feelings of being invisible to her parents. A makeover moment with her older sister leads to the posting of a great picture and some online conversation with a slightly older teen from another school. Some readers will see the victimization coming before it is revealed, but others may be caught off-guard by the realities of online trafficking of young people. Sadly, many will close this powerful book without learning a bit about Internet safety, but maybe a few will be more aware as they post pictures, will chose not to engage with total strangers while online, and, at the very least, will stop texting details that make them identifiable. Text is free of profanity, violence, and sexual content. Even when abduction is clearly understood to be the purpose of the traffickers, no sexual activity is recorded.
Pair with books like Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s Fighting Words and E.L. Konigsburg’s Silent to the Bone. While not about trafficking, they cover the important topic of sexual abuse and the need for young people to speak up until someone listens and acts. I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta is an excellent book on the sex trafficking of young women for 7th grade and up.
Pair with books like Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s Fighting Words and E.L. Konigsburg’s Silent to the Bone. While not about trafficking, they cover the important topic of sexual abuse and the need for young people to speak up until someone listens and acts. I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta is an excellent book on the sex trafficking of young women for 7th grade and up.
February 24, 2023
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.
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.
February 19, 2023
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.
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.
August 19, 2022
I had the opportunity to read this book before it was released, and it is a must-read, especially for tweens as they enter the world of social media.
Julia must deal with pressures that 8th-graders can relate to: the desire to build friendships, the wish to impress her peers, and the urge to be independent from protective parents. As a result, Julia posts a picture on social media and finds herself in a tough situation. What strikes me most about this story is that this can happen to literally anyone. Julia does not do anything out-of-the-ordinary, but her problem comes from a couple of decisions that most people her age could be susceptible to.
Not only does the story delve into a topic that every middle-schooler should read about in this digital era, but it is also an entertaining read as it is so well-written. It Happened on Saturday has the right blend of humor, suspense, and emotion that makes it fun and rewarding to read. I hope every middle schooler has the opportunity to read this story.
Julia must deal with pressures that 8th-graders can relate to: the desire to build friendships, the wish to impress her peers, and the urge to be independent from protective parents. As a result, Julia posts a picture on social media and finds herself in a tough situation. What strikes me most about this story is that this can happen to literally anyone. Julia does not do anything out-of-the-ordinary, but her problem comes from a couple of decisions that most people her age could be susceptible to.
Not only does the story delve into a topic that every middle-schooler should read about in this digital era, but it is also an entertaining read as it is so well-written. It Happened on Saturday has the right blend of humor, suspense, and emotion that makes it fun and rewarding to read. I hope every middle schooler has the opportunity to read this story.
February 1, 2023
It Happened on Saturday accomplishes a rare thing by spinning a compelling, page-turning story out of some incredibly challenging subject matter. Even though its topic is urgent and immediately applicable to the lives of young readers, the book never comes across as preachy or overly prescriptive. I would chalk a lot of that up to the author's intuitive sense for the unique day-to-day experience of growing up in the 2020s—plus all of the evergreen challenges and social upheavals that have always been a part of the tween experience. Many readers have remarked on this book's importance and relevance, and I agree. I have not seen another book address online safety quite so directly. And, in a world where the concept of "grooming" is so often abused and politicized into a tool for prejudice, this book helps caution young readers about what *real* grooming can look like. I would highly recommend this book for schools, library collections, and homes everywhere!
August 17, 2022
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book, and can I just say that it is absolutely amazing!
Julia is feeling left behind when her bff gets a boyfriend and her other friends move away. She seeks comfort in her big sister--who gives Julia a makeover to cheer her up. This leads to Julia posting a picture online and garnishing the attention of Tyler....
No spoilers given here, but this seemingly innocent thing... this thing millions of kids do each day is something that can unfortunately lead them to being trafficked. Tweens aged 11-14 are the most vulnerable to this and so a MG book that highlights the dangers in a kid friendly way is so critical to helping keep kids safe.
If you have kids or friends who have kids that are online this book is a must read for them. Even "good kids" with "good parents" like Julia's can unfortunately fall victim to this.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to help keep kids safe.
Julia is feeling left behind when her bff gets a boyfriend and her other friends move away. She seeks comfort in her big sister--who gives Julia a makeover to cheer her up. This leads to Julia posting a picture online and garnishing the attention of Tyler....
No spoilers given here, but this seemingly innocent thing... this thing millions of kids do each day is something that can unfortunately lead them to being trafficked. Tweens aged 11-14 are the most vulnerable to this and so a MG book that highlights the dangers in a kid friendly way is so critical to helping keep kids safe.
If you have kids or friends who have kids that are online this book is a must read for them. Even "good kids" with "good parents" like Julia's can unfortunately fall victim to this.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to help keep kids safe.
October 10, 2022
I was fortunate to read this book before publication, and I will definitely give copies to my teenaged and almost-teenaged children. It Happened on Saturday deftly illustrates a difficult and important topic in a way that will empower kids to protect themselves without fearing the world. But my favorite thing about this book was the main character's voice. Julia is so relatable, and her loneliness and fear of being left behind are heartbreaking yet very universal, especially to middle-grade readers, which is why this age group in particular is vulnerable to exploitation. I loved watching Julia overcome her fears to help others, and, by doing so, she helps readers as well. Overall this was a well-written, important, and enjoyable read.
March 11, 2023
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
September 27, 2022
In IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY, Sydney Dunlap offers a heart-wrenching story of human trafficking that manages to be both authentic and age-appropriate. IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY is a wake-up call for parents, kids, and anyone working with young people. Dunlap authentically takes the reader through the loneliness and manipulation leading up to the trafficking scare, then gently guides us through the recovery, exploring changing friendship and family dynamics as well as fun horse-girl details. This one is not to be missed!
I received an early review copy from the publisher.
I received an early review copy from the publisher.
February 1, 2023
Wow. Where do I start?
First off, what led me read this book was horses. And don’t get me wrong, the author did an amazing job describing the equestrian aspect of the story and weaving it into Julia’s healing. After I realized the story was much, much more, I was simply hooked.
Julia is in 8th grade and becomes jealous when her best friend comes home from camp with a boyfriend. She decides to have her older sister help her with a makeover and then posts the pictures to social media. She is giddy when she starts to receive messages from a mystery boy who tells her everything she wants to hear. Julia decides to sneak off to the mall to meet this boy. Between gifts and fancy dinners and completely love-bombing her, Tyler is starting to seem too good to be true. Julia finds herself in a scary situation that many girls today could easily find themselves in.
The message of this book is the reality of human trafficking. The author does an amazing job of showing exactly how easy it could be to get tangled up in an unsafe situation with someone who you only really know from the internet. I could relate to this so much as a female, but also as a parent. This is such an important conversation that needs to be had continually. This book is a great place to start, and even has a discussion guide included.
Super relatable, page turning, easy to read, important subject matter…Five stars!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me the opportunity to review this ARC.
First off, what led me read this book was horses. And don’t get me wrong, the author did an amazing job describing the equestrian aspect of the story and weaving it into Julia’s healing. After I realized the story was much, much more, I was simply hooked.
Julia is in 8th grade and becomes jealous when her best friend comes home from camp with a boyfriend. She decides to have her older sister help her with a makeover and then posts the pictures to social media. She is giddy when she starts to receive messages from a mystery boy who tells her everything she wants to hear. Julia decides to sneak off to the mall to meet this boy. Between gifts and fancy dinners and completely love-bombing her, Tyler is starting to seem too good to be true. Julia finds herself in a scary situation that many girls today could easily find themselves in.
The message of this book is the reality of human trafficking. The author does an amazing job of showing exactly how easy it could be to get tangled up in an unsafe situation with someone who you only really know from the internet. I could relate to this so much as a female, but also as a parent. This is such an important conversation that needs to be had continually. This book is a great place to start, and even has a discussion guide included.
Super relatable, page turning, easy to read, important subject matter…Five stars!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me the opportunity to review this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
It Happened on Saturday is an important MG read on such a dangerously under-discussed topic: human trafficking in America. I've heard people say that this would "never" happen to an American, but it unfortunately happens all the time, and tween girls online can be particularly vulnerable.
Everything the protagonist Julia does makes sense. She's feeling left behind by her best friend, so she posts online, and gets flattered when a guy begins to talk to her. She has reluctance engaging with him, knowing she's been told to not talk to strangers, but his social engineering makes him easy to fall for and engage with.
I love that the first half of this story is about her fall into danger, but the second half is the recovery, of learning how to reconcile with what happened and how to talk about it. It's understandable that Julia is reluctant to talk about what happened, especially as friends say things like: “My mom’ll freak out if she hears that someone I know was mixed up with something like this. All of our moms will.” The story does a good job modeling what to do and not do without coming across as didactic. It's still story-first but such a critical read for all kids. Highly recommended.
Everything the protagonist Julia does makes sense. She's feeling left behind by her best friend, so she posts online, and gets flattered when a guy begins to talk to her. She has reluctance engaging with him, knowing she's been told to not talk to strangers, but his social engineering makes him easy to fall for and engage with.
I love that the first half of this story is about her fall into danger, but the second half is the recovery, of learning how to reconcile with what happened and how to talk about it. It's understandable that Julia is reluctant to talk about what happened, especially as friends say things like: “My mom’ll freak out if she hears that someone I know was mixed up with something like this. All of our moms will.” The story does a good job modeling what to do and not do without coming across as didactic. It's still story-first but such a critical read for all kids. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2023
I read this book because the author is in my 2023 middle-grade debut book. I love contemporary stories, and better yet if it is an issue book, as these are themes I like to explore myself.
Sydney Dunlap has taken an EXTREMELY difficult subject, child trafficking, and made it completely appropriate for her young audience with a talent that's astonishing for a debut author. Her real-life experience working with affected communities shines through.
I found myself rooting for Julia and at the same time feeling growing dread for her safety and even screaming at her "Not to do it"! Even though the MC is in America, a country I've never been to, my protective instincts were on full alert; that's how relatable the characters and their circumstances were.
A MUST READ for every young boy and girl. It could actually save lives!
Sydney Dunlap has taken an EXTREMELY difficult subject, child trafficking, and made it completely appropriate for her young audience with a talent that's astonishing for a debut author. Her real-life experience working with affected communities shines through.
I found myself rooting for Julia and at the same time feeling growing dread for her safety and even screaming at her "Not to do it"! Even though the MC is in America, a country I've never been to, my protective instincts were on full alert; that's how relatable the characters and their circumstances were.
A MUST READ for every young boy and girl. It could actually save lives!
October 14, 2022
Julia feels forgotten and ignored when her family and friends become busy with other things. She goes against her better judgement and returns the attention of a handsome stranger. It turns out, things might not always be how they seem.
Sydney Dunlap has knocked it out of the park with It Happened on Saturday. Poignant and beautifully written, Dunlap’s book captures the fragile nature of adolescence and delicately depicts a trauma in a thoughtful and respectful way. This book is a must read for young audiences, because in addition to being a page turner, it introduces the topic of human trafficking in a real-life scenario which allows a sometimes abstract concept to be easily understood and learned from.
Sydney Dunlap has knocked it out of the park with It Happened on Saturday. Poignant and beautifully written, Dunlap’s book captures the fragile nature of adolescence and delicately depicts a trauma in a thoughtful and respectful way. This book is a must read for young audiences, because in addition to being a page turner, it introduces the topic of human trafficking in a real-life scenario which allows a sometimes abstract concept to be easily understood and learned from.
October 28, 2022
I love this title as it shows how an ordinary day can turn into chaos with what seems like everyday decisions. Julia’s story is riveting, scary and genuine, all wrapped up in one. She experiences all the angst of an eighth grader. Insecurities, feeling left out, being afraid of the new. But these problems pale in comparison to what is lurking in the background. The jewel in this story is Julia, who made me want to cheer for her as she struggled to open up about her harrowing experience and as she sought to find a way to let the sunshine come through again. This is a great read for connecting to the middle school world, learning about a timely problem, and is an opener for dialogue. It will live with me for a long time. Thank you so much for the preview.
February 18, 2023
Trafficking can happen to anyone, but it disproportionately affects BIPOC women and girls. It disproportionately affects people living in poverty, people with disabilities, kids who have experience with the juvenile justice system and/or the child welfare system. Immigrants. LGBTQIA people. People with a history of abuse and victimization. And yet, media depictions of it always center middle class white girls! So many of the other reviews for this book have mentioned how important it is to shed light on this topic, to make it clear that it doesn't just happen in other countries or to other people, that it could happen to your average suburban horse girl, that it could even happen to YOU. And honestly? It all seems a bit like Go Ask Alice-style #SaveOurChildren fearmongering to me. Like, sure, it could happen, but it's a hell of a lot more likely to happen to someone who won't get extensive media coverage when she goes missing. The fact that the media only ever portrays it as these middle class white girls getting snatched by strangers makes it so much harder for the average person to recognize what trafficking actually looks like.
Look, I don't doubt that the author had good intentions with this book, nor do I doubt that she's done important work in trafficking prevention. I don't want disparage that in any way. And I respect that she had a survivor do a sensitivity read. But this book does perpetuate this pearl-clutching middle class white girl version of trafficking, and that's a problem for me, and I cannot in good conscience write this review without mentioning it.
Anyway, onto the actual review.
The writing was... fine? Not bad, but nothing special. A bit too much telling, which made me feel disconnected from the characters. The "jokes" Julia and Nori make about things they'd rather be doing were not funny at all (hence my scare quotes for the word jokes). And I felt that the timeline of the grooming was unrealistically accelerated -- I mean, Tyler tricked Julia into the hotel room on their third date. They had only been talking for a month. And this is a girl who had been taught at least some level of online safety, who had decently involved parents, who left him on read for multiple days before finally talking to him, who didn't get in his car on the second date, who didn't belong to any of the marginalized groups most often targeted for trafficking, whose best friend and older sister were like "what are you doing!?" when they found out she was seeing this dude. I get that this is supposed to show that everyone is vulnerable in some way, that even smart girls can become victims of predators. I understand that. And the second half of the book made a big deal about how traffickers know exactly what to say to kids to get them to go along with things, but... like... where was this in the text, exactly? I truly do not remember Tyler saying much of anything aside from complimenting Julia a few times. He really didn't do much of anything to gain her trust, or separate her from her friends and family, or, well, anything that a predator would typically do in order to gain more control over their victim. I mean, it was a month; he simply did not have time for the normalization of inappropriate behaviors that characterizes a grooming relationship. This was a forced and convenient portrayal of grooming that only existed to get us to the issue at the heart of the book (i.e., the middle class white girl version of trafficking), and I just wasn't buying it.
Fighting Words, How to Be a Girl in the World, and Goodbye Stranger aren't about trafficking but otherwise deal with many of the same themes as It Happened on Saturday, and all of those books are so much more believable and real than this one in every respect.
Look, I don't doubt that the author had good intentions with this book, nor do I doubt that she's done important work in trafficking prevention. I don't want disparage that in any way. And I respect that she had a survivor do a sensitivity read. But this book does perpetuate this pearl-clutching middle class white girl version of trafficking, and that's a problem for me, and I cannot in good conscience write this review without mentioning it.
Anyway, onto the actual review.
The writing was... fine? Not bad, but nothing special. A bit too much telling, which made me feel disconnected from the characters. The "jokes" Julia and Nori make about things they'd rather be doing were not funny at all (hence my scare quotes for the word jokes). And I felt that the timeline of the grooming was unrealistically accelerated -- I mean, Tyler tricked Julia into the hotel room on their third date. They had only been talking for a month. And this is a girl who had been taught at least some level of online safety, who had decently involved parents, who left him on read for multiple days before finally talking to him, who didn't get in his car on the second date, who didn't belong to any of the marginalized groups most often targeted for trafficking, whose best friend and older sister were like "what are you doing!?" when they found out she was seeing this dude. I get that this is supposed to show that everyone is vulnerable in some way, that even smart girls can become victims of predators. I understand that. And the second half of the book made a big deal about how traffickers know exactly what to say to kids to get them to go along with things, but... like... where was this in the text, exactly? I truly do not remember Tyler saying much of anything aside from complimenting Julia a few times. He really didn't do much of anything to gain her trust, or separate her from her friends and family, or, well, anything that a predator would typically do in order to gain more control over their victim. I mean, it was a month; he simply did not have time for the normalization of inappropriate behaviors that characterizes a grooming relationship. This was a forced and convenient portrayal of grooming that only existed to get us to the issue at the heart of the book (i.e., the middle class white girl version of trafficking), and I just wasn't buying it.
Fighting Words, How to Be a Girl in the World, and Goodbye Stranger aren't about trafficking but otherwise deal with many of the same themes as It Happened on Saturday, and all of those books are so much more believable and real than this one in every respect.
January 9, 2024
2.5 Stars
An important middle grade novel about the danger of human trafficking and how to be more informed and aware of it. (It does touch upon the topic of human trafficking but doesn't go into it in-depth). While the premise was interesting the story did fall flat. Julia, the protagonist, was a good character but not great. She wasn't as complex as I would have wished. I did appreciate that the book shows her experience of the healing process after narrowly escaping being trafficked.
An important middle grade novel about the danger of human trafficking and how to be more informed and aware of it. (It does touch upon the topic of human trafficking but doesn't go into it in-depth). While the premise was interesting the story did fall flat. Julia, the protagonist, was a good character but not great. She wasn't as complex as I would have wished. I did appreciate that the book shows her experience of the healing process after narrowly escaping being trafficked.
January 26, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this story is an incredibly important one to tell young readers, especially young girls. The subject of human trafficking was covered tastefully but in detail, and I'm so glad the book also tackled the aftermath and healing journey after Julia's traumatic experience. The story was heartbreaking but realistic, and it's a horrifying thought to realize that the vast majority of kids aren't as lucky to escape as Julia. In the age of social media, when the chance to connect with strangers from all over the world is bigger than ever, it's essential to teach kids caution and warn them about all the potential dangers. I think the book does that without implying that all of social media is bad, which I appreciated a lot.
Although I really loved the story, I have to mention a few details that I didn't like. For starters, it was a bit obvious that Julia's POV was written by an adult trying to sound like a pre-teen. Sometimes, her voice just seemed unrealistic for her age, and it kind of took me out of the story a few times. Also, the book had many "tell instead of show" moments that got on my nerves a little bit. The author would describe events or conversations instead of showing them, and I think it took something away from the overall narrative (especially in the part when Julia and Tyler were only beginning to get to know each other). I think that showing those conversations would have made the story even more impactful and moving.
Other than that, though, I think this book should be on every middle-schooler's radar. It teaches many important lessons, from how to spot possible danger from traffickers to how important counseling and therapy are in the aftermath of a traumatic event. In that regard, it is truly a must-read.
I think this story is an incredibly important one to tell young readers, especially young girls. The subject of human trafficking was covered tastefully but in detail, and I'm so glad the book also tackled the aftermath and healing journey after Julia's traumatic experience. The story was heartbreaking but realistic, and it's a horrifying thought to realize that the vast majority of kids aren't as lucky to escape as Julia. In the age of social media, when the chance to connect with strangers from all over the world is bigger than ever, it's essential to teach kids caution and warn them about all the potential dangers. I think the book does that without implying that all of social media is bad, which I appreciated a lot.
Although I really loved the story, I have to mention a few details that I didn't like. For starters, it was a bit obvious that Julia's POV was written by an adult trying to sound like a pre-teen. Sometimes, her voice just seemed unrealistic for her age, and it kind of took me out of the story a few times. Also, the book had many "tell instead of show" moments that got on my nerves a little bit. The author would describe events or conversations instead of showing them, and I think it took something away from the overall narrative (especially in the part when Julia and Tyler were only beginning to get to know each other). I think that showing those conversations would have made the story even more impactful and moving.
Other than that, though, I think this book should be on every middle-schooler's radar. It teaches many important lessons, from how to spot possible danger from traffickers to how important counseling and therapy are in the aftermath of a traumatic event. In that regard, it is truly a must-read.
February 9, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Jolly Fish Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
In such a digital age the world is at our fingertips. With the press of a button we have access to so many different things and people worldwide, but accessing these things also means we have granted access to ourselves for them. This isn't something that should be taken lightly but it can be so hard to get through to young people who truly think things would never happen to them. It Happened On Saturday tells us the story of Julia. Julia was just a kid who loved horses and hanging out with her best friend. She was a girl who believed it could never happen to her, until it almost does.
I think the author did a wonderful job at highlighting how easy human trafficking can actually happen. I like that there were bits of advice on things you can do if you ever find yourself in that type of situation.
It Happened on Saturday is one of those important books that will break your heart but is necessary.
Check the back of the book for a handy Discussion Guide on the story.
If you see something, say something.
Call 911 or the
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1 (888) 373-7888
In such a digital age the world is at our fingertips. With the press of a button we have access to so many different things and people worldwide, but accessing these things also means we have granted access to ourselves for them. This isn't something that should be taken lightly but it can be so hard to get through to young people who truly think things would never happen to them. It Happened On Saturday tells us the story of Julia. Julia was just a kid who loved horses and hanging out with her best friend. She was a girl who believed it could never happen to her, until it almost does.
I think the author did a wonderful job at highlighting how easy human trafficking can actually happen. I like that there were bits of advice on things you can do if you ever find yourself in that type of situation.
It Happened on Saturday is one of those important books that will break your heart but is necessary.
Check the back of the book for a handy Discussion Guide on the story.
If you see something, say something.
Call 911 or the
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1 (888) 373-7888
December 6, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital advanced copy. This book is about Julia, a middle schooler, who starts a relationship with a high school boy she met online. While I knew that something bad was going to happen, I didn't realize until I read it that this was about trafficking. I think this book did a wonderful job of handling sensitive topics like trauma, trafficking, social media, and counseling for tweens. I knew this was going to be a heart wrenching read, but it felt like a very authentic story on trafficking and the dangers of social media, and it had me really rooting for Julia and her healing. In such a short middle grade read, it really tackled a lot. This book is a must read for parents and families and could spark great discussion.
October 11, 2022
This is one of those outstanding middle grade novels that is likely to appeal to adults as well as kids (age appropriate for 10 and up, but handles such an important and timely topic with so much skill and heart that many older teens and adults will surely be interested too) and I imagine that it will start a lot of important conversations. It Happened on Saturday would be an excellent choice for school-wide/community-wide reads. So glad I had a chance to read it early!
January 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley & North Star Editions for providing an advanced reader copy of this book!
Julia is having a hard start to 8th grade. Her best friend, Nori, was away at camp all summer, and came back with Luke, her new boyfriend. Added to that, Julia’s other friends have moved away, and it feels like she is always by herself. So when her sister gives her a makeover and she posts the picture online, Julia is instantly excited when she finally gets the attention of a boy—actually not just a boy, but an older boy. She knows she’s not supposed to talk to strangers online, but who else can she connect with?
I had NO idea what this book would be about when I picked it up, so I was shocked as I got farther into the story. The story starts off with Julia’s social pressures and anxieties, which are only eased by her time with horses & conversations with this stranger online. But as the conversations continue, you can feel the tension building. This is truly a harrowing story and an has an important message about the dangers of social media and meeting strangers online. The second half of the story also really explores how someone can cope after trauma. I think that this will be a book that can really open conversations about trafficking to students, and make them aware of the dangers they could face meeting people online. (The author’s note also includes info on how middle schoolers are often targeted by traffickers!!)
Julia is having a hard start to 8th grade. Her best friend, Nori, was away at camp all summer, and came back with Luke, her new boyfriend. Added to that, Julia’s other friends have moved away, and it feels like she is always by herself. So when her sister gives her a makeover and she posts the picture online, Julia is instantly excited when she finally gets the attention of a boy—actually not just a boy, but an older boy. She knows she’s not supposed to talk to strangers online, but who else can she connect with?
I had NO idea what this book would be about when I picked it up, so I was shocked as I got farther into the story. The story starts off with Julia’s social pressures and anxieties, which are only eased by her time with horses & conversations with this stranger online. But as the conversations continue, you can feel the tension building. This is truly a harrowing story and an has an important message about the dangers of social media and meeting strangers online. The second half of the story also really explores how someone can cope after trauma. I think that this will be a book that can really open conversations about trafficking to students, and make them aware of the dangers they could face meeting people online. (The author’s note also includes info on how middle schoolers are often targeted by traffickers!!)
June 30, 2023
Eighth grader Julia loves horses and hanging out with her friends. But when the twins move away and her friend Nori gets a boyfriend, the firm ground Julia thought she stood on grows shaky and she turns to the internet for reassurance. Soon, she’s attracted the attention of a mysterious boy who starts to text her.
Julia is so vivid in both her passion for horses and inexperience with boys, you can see yourself (or your tween) in her and imagine just how easy it would be to get suckered into this kind of danger--as the boy turns out to be a recruiter for a trafficker. Although Julia escapes before anything terrible happens, I love that the book deals with the aftermath just as much, and the ongoing repercussions. The journey Julia must undertake to deal with this traumatic event is handled with honesty and optimism.
The takeaway from this story is that Julia’s situation is not so different from any other tween, and the pitfalls can be heartbreakingly hard to spot for someone who only wants desperately to believe that it’s real. This is essential reading for any young person and those who care about them.
Julia is so vivid in both her passion for horses and inexperience with boys, you can see yourself (or your tween) in her and imagine just how easy it would be to get suckered into this kind of danger--as the boy turns out to be a recruiter for a trafficker. Although Julia escapes before anything terrible happens, I love that the book deals with the aftermath just as much, and the ongoing repercussions. The journey Julia must undertake to deal with this traumatic event is handled with honesty and optimism.
The takeaway from this story is that Julia’s situation is not so different from any other tween, and the pitfalls can be heartbreakingly hard to spot for someone who only wants desperately to believe that it’s real. This is essential reading for any young person and those who care about them.
October 7, 2023
Lots of thought from this book. Very easy read, as it is written for middle schoolers or moms of middle schoolers.
The story is very thought provoking. It helped me understand how a young girl may feel from having a troubling home, or even just parents that are too busy to pay attention. Middle school is a difficult time for all children, with changes in themselves, their families, and friendships. These types of situations make children more susceptible to predators online. The book offers information on ways to educate and protect our children.
I loved how at the end of the book, the parents changed and made their children more of a priority as a strong, healthy family life can provide so much protection from a lot of issues.
The story is very thought provoking. It helped me understand how a young girl may feel from having a troubling home, or even just parents that are too busy to pay attention. Middle school is a difficult time for all children, with changes in themselves, their families, and friendships. These types of situations make children more susceptible to predators online. The book offers information on ways to educate and protect our children.
I loved how at the end of the book, the parents changed and made their children more of a priority as a strong, healthy family life can provide so much protection from a lot of issues.
January 18, 2023
A wonderful and timely debut that focuses on an important, terrifying and emotional topic with the highest level of grace and realism. A must-read for middle-school-aged girls, Julia's story is frightening, but at the same time, focuses primarily on healing, friendship, and hope. Overall, powerful novel that is impossible to put down.
October 28, 2025
ARC recieved from NetGalley.
It Happened on Saturday tells the story of an 8th grade girl named Julia who lives in the Washington DC area with her parents and older sister named Danielle. Danielle gives Julia a a mini-makeover, including an outfit upgrade and holds a mini photo session for fun. Julia posts one of the pictures to one of her social media accounts where the photo is liked by lots of her friends and an older boy named Tyler. He begins reaching out the Julia via chat and a Julia begins responding to his messages and eventually agrees to a date at the mall to meet up. More text messages and a second date lead to a frightening situation when Julia finds herself locked in a hotel room with a man she has never met.
What I absolutely love about this book is that includes the events leading up to that Saturday including the challenges of friendships and getting older, feeling like a third wheel, secrets between sisters and disagreements with parents. More importantly, the author includes the after effects of a traumatic event, the pain of holding in that trauma and how to recover.
Sydney Dunlap presents the topic of human trafficking beautifully with just enough information to help tweens and teens can understand that unfortunately these things happen, but not so much that parents or educators would feel that the book itself would traumatize tweens and teens.
It Happened on Saturday tells the story of an 8th grade girl named Julia who lives in the Washington DC area with her parents and older sister named Danielle. Danielle gives Julia a a mini-makeover, including an outfit upgrade and holds a mini photo session for fun. Julia posts one of the pictures to one of her social media accounts where the photo is liked by lots of her friends and an older boy named Tyler. He begins reaching out the Julia via chat and a Julia begins responding to his messages and eventually agrees to a date at the mall to meet up. More text messages and a second date lead to a frightening situation when Julia finds herself locked in a hotel room with a man she has never met.
What I absolutely love about this book is that includes the events leading up to that Saturday including the challenges of friendships and getting older, feeling like a third wheel, secrets between sisters and disagreements with parents. More importantly, the author includes the after effects of a traumatic event, the pain of holding in that trauma and how to recover.
Sydney Dunlap presents the topic of human trafficking beautifully with just enough information to help tweens and teens can understand that unfortunately these things happen, but not so much that parents or educators would feel that the book itself would traumatize tweens and teens.
March 16, 2023
As a survior of child trafficking, this novel helped me find closure.
Dunlap balances sensitivity with research and art. The first half of this story addresses trafficking and what a young child can experience. I will say that this half of the story may be triggering for others who have experienced something similar to Julia, the protagonist. I personally felt that this part of the story was very tastefully done and validating to my experiences. However, not all survivors and victims experience the same thing so please be cautious when reading and be patient with yourself on your healing journey.
The second half of the story addresses Julia's healing. This was the part of the story I truly loved with all my heart. The ways Julia learns to cope and process her trauma were similar to the techniques I was taught. I saw myself in her story and I know others will too.
This novel is a story of hope and healing. I have hope that discussing issues like child trafficking won't be something so taboo in the future. But I also have hope that this story will heal people who have yet to have their experiences validated.
Dunlap balances sensitivity with research and art. The first half of this story addresses trafficking and what a young child can experience. I will say that this half of the story may be triggering for others who have experienced something similar to Julia, the protagonist. I personally felt that this part of the story was very tastefully done and validating to my experiences. However, not all survivors and victims experience the same thing so please be cautious when reading and be patient with yourself on your healing journey.
The second half of the story addresses Julia's healing. This was the part of the story I truly loved with all my heart. The ways Julia learns to cope and process her trauma were similar to the techniques I was taught. I saw myself in her story and I know others will too.
This novel is a story of hope and healing. I have hope that discussing issues like child trafficking won't be something so taboo in the future. But I also have hope that this story will heal people who have yet to have their experiences validated.
December 29, 2022
It happened on Saturday starts with the familiarity that I love about middle-grade books and accurately depicts that feeling of being left out as friendships stretch, shift, or change because of new interests.
Julia and Nori’s friendship was so realistic that I saw myself represented in each of the characters' roles as they navigated the new world of dating boys. Julia’s desire for companionship caused her to toss caution to the side and blindly trust a stranger is what captivated me and kept my interest. With every chapter, the stacks raised higher, and I found myself saying, “All young teens need to read this book.”
Sydney Dunlap tells an important and timely story of how people prey on the innocence of young people and conveys a valuable lesson about trust. I especially love how readers learn how to deal with trauma right along with the main character.
Given how our world is so reliant on social media and how we have access to anyone, and anyone has access to us, I think It happened on Saturday should be required reading in schools.
Julia and Nori’s friendship was so realistic that I saw myself represented in each of the characters' roles as they navigated the new world of dating boys. Julia’s desire for companionship caused her to toss caution to the side and blindly trust a stranger is what captivated me and kept my interest. With every chapter, the stacks raised higher, and I found myself saying, “All young teens need to read this book.”
Sydney Dunlap tells an important and timely story of how people prey on the innocence of young people and conveys a valuable lesson about trust. I especially love how readers learn how to deal with trauma right along with the main character.
Given how our world is so reliant on social media and how we have access to anyone, and anyone has access to us, I think It happened on Saturday should be required reading in schools.
February 20, 2023
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.
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.
January 1, 2023
It Happened on Saturday, by debut author Sydney Dunlap, is one of those books I will be telling everyone about. Written beautifully and thoughtfully, the story of Julia not only drew me in, but it also had me on the edge of my seat. The fast paced novel touches on an important and urgent topic in an accessible and developmentally appropriate way. The author created vivid characters in a relatable setting all while urging young readers to be aware of the reality (and dangers) of today’s online social world. While human trafficking is terrifying to think about, it is necessary for us to do so. I will share this book with my school and town’s libraries, my daughters, and my family and friends. Highly recommend!
January 2, 2023
A powerful and important book for young people. It never sensationalizes the trafficking of young people but instead honors the full experience from how a young person can be lured into trafficking and then what healing looks like. This book will be an excellent conversation piece for adults and young people alike to discuss what safety online and in-person means, and why keeping communication channels open between young people and their adults (and their friends) is so critical. I was especially moved by how realistically the author captured the complicated experiences of healing from trauma.
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