Every time I see new middle grade books I keep thinking I really need to sit down and read them more. It Happened on Saturday is one of those books. Today is my spot on the tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours. Sydney Dunlap was kind of enough to answer some questions for my interview today.
So keep on reading to find out more about this book and author!
It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary
Publishing Date: February 21, 2023
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.
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Author Interview
Hi! Thank you for having me! I’m so glad to be here!
What inspired you to write It Happened on Saturday?
I was inspired to write It Happened on Saturday while working with child trafficking survivors and realizing that there was very little in the way of literature for middle grade readers on this important topic. When I found out that 11-14-year-olds are especially susceptible to being lured or forced into trafficking, I wanted to reach them before or during the time they were most vulnerable and help them gain awareness about how to stay safe, especially as they go online and use social media. Since fiction helps kids absorb information in a way that just telling them doesn’t, I wanted them to experience the story events along with the main character, Julia, so they would really understand.
What has been the favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
My favorite part has been the teamwork. I’ve gotten such incredible support through this journey from my lovely agent, Ann Rose, and it has been an absolute joy to work with my amazing editor, Meg Gaertner. I’m also in a group of authors with debut middle grade novels in 2023, and it’s so much fun sharing this experience with each other.
If you were a character in It Happened on Saturday, what kind of character would you be?
Oh, that’s a very interesting question. I think different parts of my personality coalesce with different characters in the story. I love animals, as Julia does, and I was an elementary school teacher for a long time and enjoy teaching kids, like her mom. I was very involved with music and drama in high school, like Danielle, and I love to be outside in nature, like her dad. So I guess I have something in common with every member of her family.
Describe It Happened on Saturday in five words or less.
Finding hope after difficult experience
What is your favorite quote from It Happened on Saturday?
“Courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It means you don’t let the fear stop you.”
What do you hope readers take away from your story?
In addition to a growing awareness of staying safe, I hope that readers gain an understanding of how to help themselves during stressful situations, and also to develop the courage to advocate for themselves, even when it’s hard. And I hope that they see the value of honesty and true friendship.
Could you give us 5 random facts about It Happened on Saturday (think the story, writing, publishing, anything that comes to mind)?
In my first draft, I started the story WAY too soon, when Julia and her family were visiting her grandparents in Florida, and my first beta reader suggested cutting the first forty pages. (It was an excellent suggestion, and I did!)
While drafting the story, I had a great schedule: I’d get up and write for three or four hours, then grab a quick lunch and go to a yoga class, which felt so good after sitting in front of the computer all morning, and then I’d come home and spend the afternoon/evening tutoring students, one of whom became a beta reader, too! It was just the right mix of everything for me!
Like Julia, my first job was working at a barn in exchange for extra riding lessons.
My son is an excellent cook, and he makes delicious Mie Goreng, which is how it found its way into the story.
The cats in the story are a lot like my cats: I have a fluffy male tuxedo named Benny who’s a lot like Louie: cuddly, sweet, and really, just the best guy ever—along with a brown tabby who inspired the character of Ginger—she feels that any time you pick her up, even if she is purring and is acting like she wants to be held, it is her right to turn her little head back and nip really hard. (And then she goes right back to cuddling and purring!)
Tour Schedule
If you’re now curious about this book, click here for the full tour schedule. There are many amazing bloggers and bookstagrammers on this tour talking about It Happened on Saturday.
About the Author
Sydney Dunlap is a former elementary school teacher who has worked with at-risk youth in a variety of settings, and she enjoys reading and writing heartfelt, hopeful fiction that expands young readers’ awareness of tough topics. She is a published poet and has also written for a newspaper. A lifelong animal lover, Sydney lives with her family in a home where the dogs and cats outnumber the people.
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Middle grade books tend to tackle some more difficult subjects and It Happened on Saturday shows us the scary sides of the internet. I’ll definitely be reading this one soon. Another thanks to the author for taking time for this interview!
