mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
This was a delightful little book about a boy and his weekends with his dad.
This book features 3 weekends with Max and his dad. From the first, a bit awkward, weekend where Max goes to his dad's new apartment, to a later weekend where his best friend also comes over for a sleepover. Each weekend has several chapters and a really fun story.
The first weekend was definitely awkward, not only for Max, but also for his dad. The house is still pretty new, there are still boxes everywhere, his dad is still feeling a bit strange about everything as well, but he is trying hard to make everything fun for Max. He really loved that. He did everything for Max, even wearing a disguise, and playing along with the spy game.
And poor Max, still not feeling all to happy about the fact his parents aren't together, but like his dad he is doing his best. I loved how at first he was a bit dishonest, but later he had the guts to be honest towards his dad (even if it was done through a bit of pretend play).
I just loved each of the weekends, and while I loved that we only saw those weekends, I also wouldn't have minded seeing a bit of the mom.
I also loved seeing Dad's house getting more and more decorated, and more and more homely. And how the Dad also involved Max to help him out with the decorating.
Their are also several side-characters, and they really made the story even more awesome, and more real. I especially loved the older lady and her dogs. She was so much fun, and especially in the later story where she helps out Max and his friend with their quest. :D
There is also illustrations spread through the book, and they were just perfect! I love the style, and they just made the story even more fun, more interesting.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It is funny, but it also shows a different side to the divorce (since often books focus either on the divorce, or show both sides, this one shows a little boy and his dad and how his dad is trying to make a life for himself).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book features 3 weekends with Max and his dad. From the first, a bit awkward, weekend where Max goes to his dad's new apartment, to a later weekend where his best friend also comes over for a sleepover. Each weekend has several chapters and a really fun story.
The first weekend was definitely awkward, not only for Max, but also for his dad. The house is still pretty new, there are still boxes everywhere, his dad is still feeling a bit strange about everything as well, but he is trying hard to make everything fun for Max. He really loved that. He did everything for Max, even wearing a disguise, and playing along with the spy game.
And poor Max, still not feeling all to happy about the fact his parents aren't together, but like his dad he is doing his best. I loved how at first he was a bit dishonest, but later he had the guts to be honest towards his dad (even if it was done through a bit of pretend play).
I just loved each of the weekends, and while I loved that we only saw those weekends, I also wouldn't have minded seeing a bit of the mom.
I also loved seeing Dad's house getting more and more decorated, and more and more homely. And how the Dad also involved Max to help him out with the decorating.
Their are also several side-characters, and they really made the story even more awesome, and more real. I especially loved the older lady and her dogs. She was so much fun, and especially in the later story where she helps out Max and his friend with their quest. :D
There is also illustrations spread through the book, and they were just perfect! I love the style, and they just made the story even more fun, more interesting.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It is funny, but it also shows a different side to the divorce (since often books focus either on the divorce, or show both sides, this one shows a little boy and his dad and how his dad is trying to make a life for himself).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and easy story for young ones about living in two households and getting to dad's new living space.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Thrilled this will be a new series. Urban has written a book that will resonate with a lot of kids. Glad that she didn't make readers think divorce is awful, but put enough of a story line in there that readers from divorced families will see themselves within the pages.
Beautiful illustrations.
Beautiful illustrations.
msaplusteacher's review against another edition
4.0
A fun story for students with divorced parents. The main character Max is a 3rd grader who spends weekends at his dad's apartment. Although the they do fun things together it doesn't quite feel like home...yet! Can Max learn to call Dad's apartment home?
I hope to use this book for my character unit with my ELL and striving readers in 5th grade. Great characterization & fun adventures will have students cracking up at scenes like "the sore butt blues." The book is told in several parts which make it seem much shorter. Another bonus for younger or striving readers! A kid friendly book that kids will love & connect with!
I hope to use this book for my character unit with my ELL and striving readers in 5th grade. Great characterization & fun adventures will have students cracking up at scenes like "the sore butt blues." The book is told in several parts which make it seem much shorter. Another bonus for younger or striving readers! A kid friendly book that kids will love & connect with!
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Max's parents have recently divorced, and now that his dad has a new apartment, Max is spending some weekends there. It is an adjustment for both of them to get used to the new place and new routine, but they work together to problem solve and find the good things about their changed relationship. They go out for breakfast, on secret spy adventures, and get to know the new neighbors. This sweet and charming chapter book accurately portrays third grader Max's feelings and reactions as he works his way through this change. Both funny and poignant, this would be a fun read aloud for younger children as well. Highly recommended for grades 1 & up.
abigailbat's review against another edition
5.0
This wonderful transitional chapter book tells stories of third-grader Max who spends weekends with his dad. There's some masterful showing going on - although the reader understands that Max's parents have separated and Max's dad has a new apartment, it's all coming from what we're shown in the scenes, not stated from the child narrator. We also see how much Max's dad loves him - his bedroom is the only one that's been painted and furnished in the empty apartment, etc.
There are some really authentic emotions going on here. I think this is definitely a story that will resonate with children who have experienced divorce and it's not at all a story that's focused on the divorce, which is really nice to see.
I would hand it to kids who enjoy character-driven, loosely plotted stories like The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng or The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Levy.
There are some really authentic emotions going on here. I think this is definitely a story that will resonate with children who have experienced divorce and it's not at all a story that's focused on the divorce, which is really nice to see.
I would hand it to kids who enjoy character-driven, loosely plotted stories like The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng or The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Levy.
jshettel's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very sweet early chapter book about Max, who is getting used to the idea of his mom and dad being divorced and his dad living in an apartment. The author keeps it light by focusing on the adventures dad and Max have as they settle in to a new lifestyle.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
3.0
This charming chapter book, for maybe 2nd-3rd graders?, is about a 3rd grader named Max who goes to spend the first three weekends post-divorce with his Dad in his Dad's new apartment. They play Spies together, go furniture shopping, make friends with new neighbors in the apartment building, and learn a little bit more about each other's interests and likes and dislikes. It's a sensitive portrait of adapting to a whole a new family dynamic, with Max discovering that just like some animals in nature, he too has "two habitats," his mom's and his dad's, and that he can be comfortable in both. It also shows how such a transition can be hard for the parents as well. Nice book, with cute little spot illustrations.
couillac's review against another edition
4.0
A stellar early chapter book that lovingly portrays an imperfect father and a wonderfully imaginative young boy learning to navigate a new living situation together. For families experiencing divorce, this book not only portrays a positive outcome but even offers a blueprint for handling some of the situations and misunderstandings that may arise. And for all other readers, it's just a gentle series of vignettes perfectly pitched to younger elementary readers that celebrates the relationship between a father and son. Just lovely.
teganbeese's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book about a boy adjusting to his parents' divorce and learning to call his dad's apartment "home." VCFA faculty.