It Happened on Saturday - by Sydney Dunlap (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A 2025 OLA Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist selection
2025 Beehive Book Award Nominee
2024 Crystal Kite Awards Honor Winner
2024 IPPY Awards Silver Medalist, Juvenile Fiction
2023 Moonbeam Awards Gold Medalist (Pre-Teen Fiction - Mature Issues)
34th Annual Reading the West Book Awards Nominee - Young Readers
2023 Cybils Awards Nominee - Middle Grade Fiction
2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Silver Winner, Juvenile Fiction
A 2025-2026 Virginia Readers' Choice Selection

"A powerful work." --Kirkus Reviews

This character-driven book expands child trafficking awareness while exploring one girl's search for belonging, self-love, and acceptance. 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?

Review Quotes

"Themes of human trafficking, social media, middle school adjustments are on target. The development of family relationships and the challenge of growing up in this period of time teaches without judgement." --Children's Literature

"Dunlap writes with compassion about factors that render adolescents particularly vulnerable to trafficking and what it takes to keep them safe; she offers insights into how excruciating self-consciousness prevents victims from seeking help or sharing their experiences. A powerful work." --Kirkus Reviews