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Road Trip with Max and His Mom

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In this sweet and funny companion to Weekends with Max and His Dad by acclaimed author Linda Urban, Max and his mom embark on a road trip as they adjust to their new understanding of family.

Third-grader Max is heading off on a road trip with Mom. With miles to travel, cousins to meet, and a tall roller coaster to ride (maybe), it will be an adventure! But Max always spends weekends with Dad; will Dad be okay if he’s left behind? And will Max be brave enough for all the new explorations ahead of him?

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2018

1 person is currently reading
117 people want to read

About the author

Linda Urban

18 books200 followers
This was from the About Me section at Linda Urban's website.


I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in a suburban house that looked like all the others on my street. Sometimes I liked that sameness. It made me feel normal, when I worried I wasn’t.

Other times, though, I wanted to be different — to shine, to have people see me as special. I tried ballet dancing and singing and playing musical instruments, but I wasn’t very good at any of those things. But writing stories was fun! And often people liked what I wrote.

At Oakbrook Elementary, I wrote lots of poems and stories. One story, SUPERBOX, was about a crime-fighting shoe box. That story won me a prize. Even better? I got to read it out loud to my classmates, who laughed at the funny parts and cheered when Superbox fought off the evil potato chip can that was his mortal enemy. Nothing made me feel more special than hearing an audience cheer for a character I had written.

So, I kept writing. All through elementary school and junior high I wrote short stories and plays and poems.

But then I learned something.

Not everyone will like every story you write. And sometimes, that will make you feel very bad.

I remember once, I wrote a story about how I felt on Christmas Eve. I described my excitement, that tingling sensation I got anticipating the presents I knew would be under the tree the next morning. A boy in my class thought one of the words I used was “weird” and that I was weird as a result. He laughed at my story and his laughter stung.

I began to write more nonfiction, mostly articles for my high school yearbook and newspaper. These pieces took thought and hard work, but unlike my stories, I felt like I didn’t have to put my secret heart into them. I could hide behind the words and no one would make fun of me or the things I wrote about.

I also started to worry that maybe I was not as good a writer as I had imagined myself to be. I started comparing my writing to that in the books I read. No way was I as good as that! (More about that sort of thing here.)

By college, I had turned my writing toward advertising and marketing, using my creativity to sell the creative work of others.

Which wasn’t such a bad thing.

Why not, you ask?

It landed me at Vroman’s Bookstore, a large independent in Southern California, where I served as marketing director for about ten years.

What a great job! I was surrounded every day by books and authors and artists and readers. One of my responsibilities was to organize author events. I met thousands of writers and learned that most of them have their own fears. Even the most successful worry that readers won’t like their books. Even the most talented sometimes think they aren’t as good at writing as they ought to be.

Hearing this gave me courage.

While I was at Vroman’s, I also ran a summer writer’s workshop series. Every Saturday a writer, illustrator, or editor would come talk to aspiring writers about writing. Secretly, I took notes. Their talks gave me tools for writing better stories.

Finally, when my daughter turned two and I turned 37, I got the guts to try writing fiction again. Having a child brought me back to reading the kinds of books that I most loved, books for kids. As much as I enjoy reading grown-up books, it is kids’ books that grab my heart and make me think and spin my imagination.

Reading those books gave me inspiration.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Colby Sharp.
Author 4 books1,323 followers
December 12, 2017
Wow! What an amazing book. Linda Urban does a magical job capturing the heart of Max, as he struggles to figure out life, and deal with his parents now being divorced. An absolute must read.
Profile Image for Karina.
Author 20 books1,107 followers
November 10, 2017
A terrific follow-up to WEEKENDS WITH MAX AND HIS DAD. A lovely chapter book that is accessible to young readers while also showing divorce in a thoughtful and perceptive way.
Profile Image for Becky.
6,177 reviews303 followers
July 25, 2018
First sentence: On Monday morning after breakfast, Mom made an announcement. "We are going on an adventure. Max was surprised. Mom was not the sort of mom who made announcements about adventures. She was the sort of mom who made announcements about the laundry needing to be put away, or how proud she was of Max's report card, or that Max's hair was getting long and it was time for a trim.

Premise/plot: Road Trip with Max and His Mom is a sequel to Linda Urban's Weekends with Max and His Dad. In the first book, readers met Max and his dad. Max is adjusting to his parents recent divorce. In the second book, Max is skipping one of his weekends with his dad to go with his mom on a trip. Great-Great-Aunt Victory is turning 100 and having a family-reunion-birthday-party at an amusement park. It sounds like an adventure just right for an explorer like Max.

My thoughts: I love, love, love Max. I came to love him in the first book. That's the wonderful thing about series. If you get attached to the characters in the first book, you can just pick up future books with the love already there. Max is over being a spy these days, and now he is all about exploring. He has been LOVING reading biographies about famous and should-be-famous explorers. And I just have to say that having a narrator who gets so excited about books, about reading, about learning is just delightful.

I would definitely recommend both books.
Profile Image for The Reading Countess.
1,917 reviews57 followers
September 2, 2018
*Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the free book. All opinions are my own.

Book Two of Max's adventures by Linda Urban finds him conflicted when his mom announces a trip to celebrate her great-grandmother's 100th birthday-at an amusement park, no less! So why the doubt, you wonder? Well, his dad will be left alone for the weekend, his oral report on his favorite biographical figure has him shaking in his boots, and the roller coaster that his mom grew up on looks a little too scary.

Young readers will see themselves as they turn the pages in this early reader. Jumping EVEN when you are afraid of (figurative) heights, family being there to support your endeavors, and remembering where you come from are all intermingled=win, win, win. To steal Shackleton's motto, "By Endurance We Conquer."

I loved Max's teacher's "The Declaration of Inspiration" that she asked the kids to come up with at the end of their biography presentations, and I think I might borrow the idea with my own students' summer autobiography/biography projects.
Profile Image for Jordan Henrichs.
297 reviews12 followers
July 12, 2018
I think I liked this better than Weekends with Max and His Dad, which was fantastic! There are so many simple moments that Urban captures so perfectly that children should be able to relate to: Max's stumbling over his Art-antica speech, Max's parents showing up separately to his speech, Max's polite boredom over his mom's games in the car, Max's mom's nervousness driving through the storm, Max's reaction to his mom's dressed up appearance for the reunion and his reaction to learning her real name, and Max's fear of the Big Buckaroo. Urban's repetition of words and themes and connecting small moments throughout the book to those themes are just the perfect example of distinction in writing for 2nd and 3rd grade readers.
Profile Image for Ryan M. Hanna.
396 reviews6 followers
May 8, 2022
I loved this book even more than Weekends with Max and His Dad. It was probably because of the activities Max and his mom did in this book reminded me of the trips I took with my mom and how we used to love to ride roller coasters together (once I got over my fear of them, that is). I read this on Mother’s Day 2022 and will be donating it in memory of my mom.

Divorce is so hard on kids. I hope more books continue to be written to help children who are facing a divorce in their family. Max’s parents do all they can to make it easier on him — real life, of course, isn’t as rosy. But I look back with admiration for my parents who did the best they could for me while in an unhappy marriage. I was very lucky.
Profile Image for Dest.
1,864 reviews187 followers
May 29, 2018
I really liked this! It's Linda Urban's follow-up to Weekends with Max and His Dad. This time Max is spending the weekend with his mom so they can go to a family reunion at a Cowboy theme park. This is a short chapter book with lots of confidence-building repetition in the text. A great choice for second and third graders, whether they are affected by divorce or just interested in realistic stories about ordinary kids.
Profile Image for Jenn Bishop.
Author 5 books242 followers
May 9, 2018
I'll go anywhere with Max (and his mom or dad). Absolutely love this chapter book series. Another gem from Linda Urban.
Profile Image for Quintina.
235 reviews
April 28, 2018
Third grader Max is on a fantastic family reunion adventure with his Mom. Linda Urban hits the mark again balancing the sensitive subject of divorce with humor and heart.
506 reviews20 followers
May 29, 2018
Maybe I should give 4.5 stars as I think it may be better than Weekends with Max and his Dad. One thing I like about Urban’s books is their lack of histrionics over childhood insecurities and humiliations that other books use to generate narrative conflict and reader sympathy. Even episodes like the Antarctica thing and not-going on the Big Buckaroo, which could have been blown up into a major thing, Urban makes seem natural, a part of life but only a small, ephemeral part. Maybe that’s why some people consider her books “quiet” but to me it’s distinctive and fresh.
1,334 reviews
April 21, 2018
Masterfully written, perfectly paced, adorably illustrated. A great second entry in this ideal beginning chapter book series.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews454 followers
October 17, 2018
After the wonderful book about Max and his father and their weekends, we continue but this time it is Max and his mom and their weekend!

I was absolutely squealing when I saw this book, I loved the previous book, and I was curious about the road trip. What kind of adventures would they have? What kind of things would they see? And where would they go?

I was at times a bit frustrated with Max. I understand that it is a bit weird that instead of a weekend with his dad, he is going with his mom, but I wish he was a bit more enthusiastic about it. Also, really? Trying to get your dad to come with you? Sorry, but your parents are divorced, and it is pretty clear that they don't really want to get close to each other any more. Also later he was acting weird when he found out his mom's named wasn't Amy, and that she had a different surname before she got married. He made it seem like it was the end of the world, while it wasn't that big of a deal.
But Max also shows he can be sweet and kind again. I loved how he tried to make his mom feel better during the road trip (with the storm), and how he tried to include her into the picture for the scrapbook page.

The road trip was a bit short to my liking. Mostly as it was kind of confusing. On the one hand we read about it being a totally different state, that mom is making sure there is enough to do on the way there, the fact she didn't want to drive in the dark (so planning motels), but then we read about that it only took 6 hours, they only stopped once, that it was just the weekend. Sorry, but make up your mind.

The birthday party was pretty fun, I loved that it took place in a theme park, that is such a wonderful place to hold your party (even if, given her age, the great-aunt can't even do most of the fun things). I loved seeing Max bond with his family and go on an expedition (and making sure everyone had a job to do).

I did feel sorry for one moment, but thankfully everything turned out all right and he had a wonderful day with one of his favourite family members.

What happens before the road trip (the school inspiration speech, explorers and which one to pick) was also fun, and I was happy that Max managed to do that. Good job Max!

Of course, like the previous book, this one is also illustrated to the brim. I still adore the style of the illustrations.

All in all, I would love more Max x one of his parents books, and of course I would recommend this book to all.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
417 reviews
July 14, 2018
Booklist Reviews
Max is nervous about the Inspiration Celebration, a program of biography reports delivered by costumed third-graders to their classmates and relatives. Though he idolizes his subject, explorer Ernest Shackleton, in rehearsal, he flubs the word Antarctica, pronouncing it "Artantica." He's unnerved when kids laugh, but with practice, the actual performance goes off without a hitch. That evening, he and his mom embark on a road trip to a family reunion, which he views as his chance to be a fearless explorer. At their destination, an amusement park, he practices Shackleton-inspired leadership skills on his newfound cousins and challenges himself to ride the roller coaster. Well designed for young readers, the story is told in three sections, each with five chapters. Attractive pencil drawings appear on most double-page spreads. In this sequel to Weekends with Max and His Dad (2017), Max is still grappling with the large and small changes brought about by his parents' divorce. Urban excels at revealing the characters' shifting emotions through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue. A rewarding chapter book. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
13k reviews483 followers
August 21, 2025
Well that hit the spot. I just love these characters. Maybe because they remind me of my sons and I in some ways, but also because they're just so lovable. Not perfect, but a good team, a healthy & happy family.

And I love the details, like Max's number one historical hero is Ernest Shackleton - a very good role model with a fascinating story. And the storm encountered while driving, well, I had a painfully visceral reaction to that because I've driven in bad conditions myself and, yes, (slight) distractions help.

I could go on, but I'll just say, if your champion/kiddo/explorer is in second or third grade, share this series with them.

(I read this for Travel theme in Children's Books group, have not actually read the first or next, but am confident they're great. :)
Profile Image for Susan  Dunn.
2,073 reviews
June 21, 2018
In this companion book to "Weekends with Max and His Dad", third grader Max is about to depart on a road trip with his mom to go to a family reunion/birthday celebration for his great great aunt. Max isn't sure he wants to miss a weekend with his dad, and his mom isn't sure she is comfortable making the 6 hour drive by herself, but they come to an agreement that this is an opportunity that will never come again. Plus the reunion is being held at an amusement park - one with an awesome roller coaster that Max's mom loved when she was his age! Adventure awaits!

This was sweet, but I liked the first one better.
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,718 reviews40 followers
April 22, 2019
A lovely, distaff companion to Weekends with Max and his Dad. What is so nice about both stories is the positive portrayal of a divorce - not welcomed, but managed with civility and care - the loving and functional relationship between Max and each of his parents, and the charming way Max works through his problems and dilemmas. This time Max struggles with adequately representing Earnest Shackleton at the class biography fair and then living up to the preternaturally brave explorer during a summer road trip to a family reunion at an amusement park. Simple stuff, but satisfying and deeply felt.
Profile Image for Paula.
1,072 reviews36 followers
November 24, 2017
Linda Urban is a master at crafting small moment stories. In this second book with Max and his divorced parents, we spend time with Max as he shares his research on Ernest Shackleton at school and then takes that adventurous spirit on a road trip with his mom. Urban has an amazing way of sharing this story through the eyes of a 3rd grader and exploring the familiar fears and worries of children. You’ll want to add this to your classroom collection when it is released in April 2018, in the meantime make sure you have Weekends With Max and His Dad!
3,253 reviews13 followers
August 11, 2018
I liked it better than the first one ... I feel like we got a little more insight into Max's personality. Lots of amusing lines. For example:

p. 57: "There were a lot of minutes between now and after school tomorrow. How as he supposed to know if he needed any last-minute things when it wasn't the last minute yet?"

His desire to experience "hardships and deprivations."

p. 103: "he did not look tall or brave or awesome. He looked like a guy whose family motto might be 'Let's Go Home and Eat Soup.'"
156 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2018
Great series and alternative Beyond Junie B Jones. Read Max and Dad book when it first came out. Love this book even more than the first. Great family exploration and explanation from a single child who splits his time between both Mom and Dad. First part with school’s inspiration celebration is great! Love the layers for conversation around families, bravery, risk taking, mindfulness, and more! Can’t wait for more Max!
Profile Image for Marisa.
715 reviews12 followers
April 15, 2018
Cute chapter book for Grades 1-3 about a boy who goes on a road trip with just him and his mom to a family reunion. This book touches on divorce and the feelings of who is part of a family, being brave enough to speak publicly at school, and having fun and daring to ride the biggest roller coaster.
Fun for those in chapter book range.
Profile Image for Laura Salas.
Author 124 books163 followers
July 19, 2018
I listened to this charming book and enjoyed it so much! There's a sweet humor to it, a funny kid, and divorced parents working hard to be good parents. There are roller coasters and cousins and cowboy hats. And there are problems big and small. It just has a lot of heart. I need to go read Weekends with Max and His Dad now, too!
Profile Image for Jamie.
778 reviews6 followers
September 30, 2018
Read this one out loud to my two boys, who enjoyed it. My seven-year-old was particularly into Ernest Shackleton and "let's go home and eat soup." Max's anxieties are realistic and relatable. My main quibble is that their post-divorce situation seems a little old-fashioned--Dad has an apartment where Max visits him on the weekends, and Mom seems not to have worked before the divorce.
Profile Image for Diane.
7,287 reviews
February 18, 2019
Max has been studying about explorers, most notedly, Ernest Shackleton and the sacrifices that he made. An idea that comes in handy when his mom tells him that they are going on a road trip to a family reunion. (How could he have a reunion when he hadn’t had a union with some of these people?)

This will be the first time since the divorce that Max hadn’t gone to his father’s for “their weekend.” Will Dad be okay on his own for that time?

As always, the family works it out. Such a beautiful example of a split family still having their priorities in order.
Profile Image for Stven.
1,472 reviews27 followers
July 8, 2024
A pleasant slice of life with Max, who has a book report to do where he's worried about mispronouncing Antarctica, and then a weekend jaunt to his mom's family reunion at an amusement park. This is the middle book in a little trilogy about getting life to smoothness after Max's parents have separated.
Profile Image for MaryLibrarianOH.
1,965 reviews26 followers
December 16, 2017
Max is back and this time Urban writes about his relationship with his mom. Another great read for the early chapter book crowd and kids with divorced parents.

Like the explorer angle and the travel to a family reunion.

From advanced reader copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary Lee.
3,261 reviews54 followers
June 3, 2018
So much to love! A third grade boy and his mom navigate the new normal after divorce. They are both totally believable characters. The writing is accessible without being simplistic. A great follow-up from Weekends With Max and His Dad.
Profile Image for Lauren.
117 reviews
July 22, 2018
Linda Urban's charming tale about 3rd grade, Max, is a delightful peek into his world. Max and his mom prepare for a weekend trip to a family reunion. Before they can go, Max has to live through a special presentation in class. Urban shows how Max and his mom work together to overcome fears.
10.8k reviews29 followers
May 9, 2019
In this early elementary level chapter book Max and his family are still dealing with the recent divorce and he and Mom are taking off for a family reunion just the two of them. Honest feelings and I love the characters aren't perfect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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