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Weekends with Max and His Dad
Max and his dad love their weekends together. Weekends mean pancakes, pizza, spy games, dog-walking, school projects, and surprising neighbors! Every weekend presents a small adventure as Max gets to know his dad’s new neighborhood—and learns some new ways of thinking about home. Acclaimed author Linda Urban deftly portrays a third-grader’s inner world during a time of transition in this sweet and funny illustrated story that bridges the early reader and middle grade novel.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
15 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Linda Urban
20 books199 followersThis 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.
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 150 reviews
May 14, 2021
Max is nine years old and spends weekends with his dad as his parents are divorced. His dad has moved into a new apartment but hasn't really unpacked yet but he did ready Max's room which is blue. When his dad asks, how he liked his room, Max doesn't have the heart to tell him that he doesn't like blue anymore. He also doesn't think of his dad's apartment as his own home. Whenever he thinks of home, he thinks of the house he lives in with this mum.
Max and his dad have adventures over the weekend and they also go to Ace's coffee shop where Max has his usual which is County's best bacon and pineapple pancakes. he loves ordering that for another reason as Ace sings a song whenever someone orders County's best bacon and pineapple pancakes. He enjoys his time with his dad and he also comes to like the neighborhood, neighbors and starts to feel at home there too.
"Pancakes, oh pancakes,
oh pancakes divine.
Better with bacon,
much better with
pine ... apple.
Best in the county,
best we can make 'em.
Best with pineapple,
and bester with bac-om."
I didn't know that pineapple pancakes were a thing. So, I got side-tracked and started googling pineapple pancakes to see if there's any place here in Melbourne that serves those, no such luck. But there is such a thing I have found as pineapple pancakes as there are some recipes explaining how to make them. So I'll be trying those sometime in the future. So, a huge thank you to this book to actually let me know of a new food that I'd be trying.
Now onto the actual book, wow, this was such a heart-warming, sweet story about kids with divorced parents. I am no expert in this but it deals with many emotions that people in such circumstances must feel. The end of the story made me happy and joyous. I'll be reading more books from this writer.
5 stars
Max and his dad have adventures over the weekend and they also go to Ace's coffee shop where Max has his usual which is County's best bacon and pineapple pancakes. he loves ordering that for another reason as Ace sings a song whenever someone orders County's best bacon and pineapple pancakes. He enjoys his time with his dad and he also comes to like the neighborhood, neighbors and starts to feel at home there too.
"Pancakes, oh pancakes,
oh pancakes divine.
Better with bacon,
much better with
pine ... apple.
Best in the county,
best we can make 'em.
Best with pineapple,
and bester with bac-om."
I didn't know that pineapple pancakes were a thing. So, I got side-tracked and started googling pineapple pancakes to see if there's any place here in Melbourne that serves those, no such luck. But there is such a thing I have found as pineapple pancakes as there are some recipes explaining how to make them. So I'll be trying those sometime in the future. So, a huge thank you to this book to actually let me know of a new food that I'd be trying.
Now onto the actual book, wow, this was such a heart-warming, sweet story about kids with divorced parents. I am no expert in this but it deals with many emotions that people in such circumstances must feel. The end of the story made me happy and joyous. I'll be reading more books from this writer.
5 stars
May 8, 2016
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!
September 10, 2018
Perhaps a little syrupy but this is such a comforting, sweet read with the kind of world we wish all kids lived in-- with a loving parent and a sense of community.
February 6, 2022
Listened to this audiobook with my kids. My husband went to the library and picked it out - was not approved by me. I wish he'd stop doing that 🤣
I would not recommend this book. The writing was sub-par with little to no character development, the plot was meandering with no dramatic conflict, and the story itself is very simplistic.
The boy, Max, spends weekends with his father in his new apartment after his parents get divorced. Not a book that focuses on high moral character and the importance of family.
I would not recommend this book. The writing was sub-par with little to no character development, the plot was meandering with no dramatic conflict, and the story itself is very simplistic.
The boy, Max, spends weekends with his father in his new apartment after his parents get divorced. Not a book that focuses on high moral character and the importance of family.
May 24, 2016
Max's parents are newly divorced, and his dad has a new apartment. He's done his best to make it comfy for Max, but it's still a bit weird for both of them. His dad is mostly living out of boxes, and there's nothing in the living room but a TV and an armchair. Max goes to stay with his dad every other weekend - and together the two have wonderful adventures and experiences exploring the neighborhood, pretending to be spies, meeting the neighbors and eating bacon and pineapple pancakes at the local diner This sweet illustrated chapter book will be a hit with readers in grades 1 - 3, or for those going through their own divorce experience.
August 30, 2016
It was okay. It would be a good choice for a young reader dealing with the strangeness of a divorce. But even for a kids book, I have read many that were more impressive. This was cutesy and frankly boring.
July 2, 2018
What a perfect little book for the 3rd/4th grade set. Especially for students that age grappling with divorced parents. Urban's narrative feels effortless but obviously a lot of craft went into this little story.
June 25, 2018
A very sweet book about a boy and his newly divorced dad. I loved seeing Max and his dad adjust to weekend visits. It was wonderfully written.
December 31, 2019
Reread this year for a work project. Love this family and Max!
March 12, 2022
What a delightful story!
May 8, 2022
I highly recommend this book. As a child of parents who divorced, I believe that kids benefit from reading books that illustrate that reality and the anxiety, worry, and change that comes when your parents split up. I donated this book in memory of my mom to a LFL.
March 13, 2017
Cute tale of a boy and his dad navigating the new world of weekend visitations after a separation. Over three weekends the boy comes to terms with having two homes. The characters are endearing too.
May 20, 2016
This was a giveaway win here on Goodreads and although a review wasn't required, I feel it's only fair to give one.
We are introduced to Agents Pepperoni and Cheese, Max and his dad respectively, as they began their weekend adventure of spy training. Aside from all the fun they are having, the real message is there. Dealing with parents splitting up, living in different homes, isn't the easiest adjustment for a kid to make. While training dad to be a spy, Max and he explore the neighborhood around his new apartment, meeting new people, discovering neat places. This really expresses how important it is to show the children although things may be changing and different, it doesn't mean it's a bad change.
Weekend number two focused on the expectations Max has and dad trying to meet those. Dad's apartment is bare and he hasn't unpacked. Over the course of the weekend, Max lets his dad know how uncomfortable the lack of furniture is. I mean not having a chair to sit on would be annoying to anyone. They find themselves helping out a neighbor, enjoying breakfast at their new favorite diner down the street, and landing in a furniture store. It takes ages to decide but they both found something they agreed on. Dad takes Max to a park nearby and even though it's different from the one near Mom's, it's equally as good. I enjoyed how by the end of the weekend, Max had expressed his feelings and uneasiness with his dad so they could work through them.
The third weekend Max has a friend over to dad's and a school project to finish. Like any normal family, problems arise, and this weekend is dad having a cold and Max accidentally leaving all of his project supplies at school. Despite dad resting and sneezing and snoring, the boys enjoyed their time together playing, watching a movie and eating pizza. With the help of the kind, old lady upstairs, the boys acquired all the supplies needed and even a free soup for dad. By the end of the weekend, projects were completed, new friendships made, and dad had finally unpacked. The apartment was starting to feel like a second home to Max.
Divorce can be a sticky topic to address, especially in a children's book and this one does it wonderfully. Adjusting to two homes, new towns, new faces, can be hard on an adult, even more so on a child and this book addresses those things to bring out the positives of those new encounters. So often divorce is attached to the word negative and soon that's all we began to see in everything around us while dealing with a divorce or separation. This little story also makes it okay to have those worries, dislikes, and uneasiness that is associated with changes. I think this would also be a great chapter read in a classroom, if anything to just showcase everyone has a different family portrait, a different home situation.
I'd recommend this to anyone that knows a child dealing with similar situations and may be having a tough time.
We are introduced to Agents Pepperoni and Cheese, Max and his dad respectively, as they began their weekend adventure of spy training. Aside from all the fun they are having, the real message is there. Dealing with parents splitting up, living in different homes, isn't the easiest adjustment for a kid to make. While training dad to be a spy, Max and he explore the neighborhood around his new apartment, meeting new people, discovering neat places. This really expresses how important it is to show the children although things may be changing and different, it doesn't mean it's a bad change.
Weekend number two focused on the expectations Max has and dad trying to meet those. Dad's apartment is bare and he hasn't unpacked. Over the course of the weekend, Max lets his dad know how uncomfortable the lack of furniture is. I mean not having a chair to sit on would be annoying to anyone. They find themselves helping out a neighbor, enjoying breakfast at their new favorite diner down the street, and landing in a furniture store. It takes ages to decide but they both found something they agreed on. Dad takes Max to a park nearby and even though it's different from the one near Mom's, it's equally as good. I enjoyed how by the end of the weekend, Max had expressed his feelings and uneasiness with his dad so they could work through them.
The third weekend Max has a friend over to dad's and a school project to finish. Like any normal family, problems arise, and this weekend is dad having a cold and Max accidentally leaving all of his project supplies at school. Despite dad resting and sneezing and snoring, the boys enjoyed their time together playing, watching a movie and eating pizza. With the help of the kind, old lady upstairs, the boys acquired all the supplies needed and even a free soup for dad. By the end of the weekend, projects were completed, new friendships made, and dad had finally unpacked. The apartment was starting to feel like a second home to Max.
Divorce can be a sticky topic to address, especially in a children's book and this one does it wonderfully. Adjusting to two homes, new towns, new faces, can be hard on an adult, even more so on a child and this book addresses those things to bring out the positives of those new encounters. So often divorce is attached to the word negative and soon that's all we began to see in everything around us while dealing with a divorce or separation. This little story also makes it okay to have those worries, dislikes, and uneasiness that is associated with changes. I think this would also be a great chapter read in a classroom, if anything to just showcase everyone has a different family portrait, a different home situation.
I'd recommend this to anyone that knows a child dealing with similar situations and may be having a tough time.
July 24, 2016
At 150 pages, Weekends with Max and His Dad is a good transitional chapter book for those readers who are moving beyond a beginning reader. The book is divided into three chapters that focus on three consecutive weekends of Max visiting his father's new apartment after his parents' divorce.
The first weekend they are spies, canvassing the new neighborhood and learning about this new environment. The second weekend is titled "The Blues" and we learn that Max's dad is learning to play the ukulele. We also learn that he is only playing the blues, and it is through these melancholy songs that Max and his dad work through some of the sadness together. The story ends with Max and a friend having a sleepover and working on a class project. When Max's father comes down with a cold, Max must rely on some new neighbors to help him find the supplies he needs.
Linda Urban does a masterful job of conveying the story by showing the reader scenes and letting us figure out the deeper meaning. At no point does Max, as narrator, tell the reader details. A great example is the first scene of the book.
Max's father shows him around the apartment for the first time and Max notices that all the rooms are plain white with almost no furniture. His father sleeps on a mattress on the floor. Except for Max's room. Max's room has been painted blue, he has football curtains and a helmet lamp sitting on a dresser, and a new bed with a silver comforter. Without being told, the reader can recognize that Max's father wants him to feel welcome and that he has a special place in this new home.
Max's story is about a newly divorced father and son transitioning into a new type of relationship. Urban portrays a very real situation, that doesn't hide the anxiety or awkwardness that both characters feel. The growth that they experience is a great message for young children who may be going through a divorce. It portrays the situation honestly, but also with a hopeful message, making this an important book for library collections.
This would make a good real-aloud in 2nd or 3rd grade.
The first weekend they are spies, canvassing the new neighborhood and learning about this new environment. The second weekend is titled "The Blues" and we learn that Max's dad is learning to play the ukulele. We also learn that he is only playing the blues, and it is through these melancholy songs that Max and his dad work through some of the sadness together. The story ends with Max and a friend having a sleepover and working on a class project. When Max's father comes down with a cold, Max must rely on some new neighbors to help him find the supplies he needs.
Linda Urban does a masterful job of conveying the story by showing the reader scenes and letting us figure out the deeper meaning. At no point does Max, as narrator, tell the reader details. A great example is the first scene of the book.
Max's father shows him around the apartment for the first time and Max notices that all the rooms are plain white with almost no furniture. His father sleeps on a mattress on the floor. Except for Max's room. Max's room has been painted blue, he has football curtains and a helmet lamp sitting on a dresser, and a new bed with a silver comforter. Without being told, the reader can recognize that Max's father wants him to feel welcome and that he has a special place in this new home.
Max's story is about a newly divorced father and son transitioning into a new type of relationship. Urban portrays a very real situation, that doesn't hide the anxiety or awkwardness that both characters feel. The growth that they experience is a great message for young children who may be going through a divorce. It portrays the situation honestly, but also with a hopeful message, making this an important book for library collections.
This would make a good real-aloud in 2nd or 3rd grade.
March 19, 2016
Finding a high quality boy book that isn't babyish, or thrown together with super heroes and over the top action is a challenge. This title is exactly right for young readers. Max is from a recently divorced family, and although this topic could be sad, it isn't. Max spends weekends with his Dad. When he begins these visits the newly acquired apartment his Dad is living in is bare, Max doesn't even have a chair to sit on. Yet his relationship with his Dad is well balanced. He gingerly suggests improvements to his room, and when his Dad wants to attend Open Mike Night at the Dr. Spin, an old fashion record store he says he can't, because the atmosphere isn't appropriate for his third grade son. Max is empathetic and finds a way to showcase his Dad's talents with another audience. He is also intrigued with becoming a spy, and loves to watch people and follow them around taking notes in his special book. This is a believable story of father and son finding friends and enjoyment in their closely bonded slightly altered life together.
December 14, 2016
Most of Linda Urban's books are aimed at slightly older kids, but this is as thoughtful as any she has done. Max's dad has moved into a new apartment, and as Max spends weekends with him, they have simple adventures, as both of them adjust to a new habitat, and a new way of being together. It's clear from the text that Mom and Dad have just separated, but it's never discussed, though Mom is alluded to once or twice. Simple and easy to read, this will doubtlessly turn up on lots of well meaning lists of "problem" books, but even kids who don't get the underlying message will enjoy this, and hope that Max will return.
July 5, 2016
Max’s parents don’t live together any more, so he’s spending weekends in his father’s new apartment. There’s no couch, and his room has weird curtains. The first time he stays there, Max gets a feeling “like somebody was sitting on his chest.” But as he and Dad eat pancakes at Ace Coffee Shop, walk the neighbor’s dogs, and find the perfect used sofa, their new routines take on a new kind of rightness. Compressing life’s most powerful experiences— love, loss, growth—into small, slice-of-life scenes, this lovely book never shouts its messages, just quietly delivers them straight to the heart.
September 21, 2015
Thank you, Edelweiss and HMH for a digital review copy of this book. It is tough to find great stories for transitional readers, so I am excited to share this title with teachers and students. It reminded me of the Fudge/Judy Blume books (maybe the apartment setting?) with stories that reflect daily life of many readers-it is clear that the author knows her audience well. How wonderful that is is the first of a planned series.
January 21, 2018
This is a good chapter book. The book is a good read for a mother or a father to read to their kids. It talks about family issues and how a son gets along with his dad since his parents are separated. The son has a good time and teaches his dad some fun stuff. Moving and buying things are fun to read about. Meeting new people and making new friends is always a treat.
April 17, 2016
Loved this book. Max and Dad are both great characters and this book deals with the issue of divorce and family changes in a way that is perfect for this age reader. I think this will be an important read for a lot of kids.
August 5, 2016
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Weekends with Max and His Dad is a beautifully written story about a complex topic. Urban has addressed divorce in a delicate and approachable way.
Weekends with Max and His Dad is a beautifully written story about a complex topic. Urban has addressed divorce in a delicate and approachable way.
June 5, 2016
Perfect book for those students in 2nd to 4th grade.
August 28, 2017
This is a cute little story about adjusting to a split-parent family, but it's much too young for my middle grade readers. I'd say a great read for 2nd-4th graders.
September 2, 2018
*Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the free book. All opinions are my own.
Fans of Linda Urban have come to expect a high level of writing in her books. Having read A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT myself, I can attest to her ability to shoot straight from the hip toward her middle grade readers; there is no soft-shoe peddling around tough subjects. That is why her readers trust her, why they see themselves in her writing, why they return to her time and time again.
Weekends With Max and His Dad, while geared for the younger reader, is no different. Max's parents are newly divorced, and the third grader has a lot of new things to get used to, not the least of which is his new bedroom at his dad's apartment. But through the weekends with his dad where Max's dad is fully engaged with him (how I wish divorced parents could take a page from this couple), he learns that his parents' two houses. though different now, is still home.
Max is a likable character. Sensitive and high-energy, kids will instantly take a shining to him. I did. And his dad? His dad is the MVP of all dads. He plays spy with Max. He dabbles with singing and playing the ukulele. He shows his son his insecurities. He doesn't helicopter his kid: "Dad held the lid in position while Max taped it in place. 'Thanks,' said Max. 'But I have to do the rest by myself, otherwise it won't be my habitat project.'"
Linda Urban has set this first book up to be a series, where we meet a gaggle of interesting neighbors and watch Max and his folks navigate the tricky waters of co-parenting after a divorce in a loving, put-your-kid-first way.
Kids need to read the Max series, families that are divorced for sure, families that are not, also. This is a dose of reality coupled with mature parenting that we need to expose our children to.
"Just like the porcupine, he had two places to sleep. Both were safe and both were good. Some days were house days and some days were apartment days. But both were home."
Fans of Linda Urban have come to expect a high level of writing in her books. Having read A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT myself, I can attest to her ability to shoot straight from the hip toward her middle grade readers; there is no soft-shoe peddling around tough subjects. That is why her readers trust her, why they see themselves in her writing, why they return to her time and time again.
Weekends With Max and His Dad, while geared for the younger reader, is no different. Max's parents are newly divorced, and the third grader has a lot of new things to get used to, not the least of which is his new bedroom at his dad's apartment. But through the weekends with his dad where Max's dad is fully engaged with him (how I wish divorced parents could take a page from this couple), he learns that his parents' two houses. though different now, is still home.
Max is a likable character. Sensitive and high-energy, kids will instantly take a shining to him. I did. And his dad? His dad is the MVP of all dads. He plays spy with Max. He dabbles with singing and playing the ukulele. He shows his son his insecurities. He doesn't helicopter his kid: "Dad held the lid in position while Max taped it in place. 'Thanks,' said Max. 'But I have to do the rest by myself, otherwise it won't be my habitat project.'"
Linda Urban has set this first book up to be a series, where we meet a gaggle of interesting neighbors and watch Max and his folks navigate the tricky waters of co-parenting after a divorce in a loving, put-your-kid-first way.
Kids need to read the Max series, families that are divorced for sure, families that are not, also. This is a dose of reality coupled with mature parenting that we need to expose our children to.
"Just like the porcupine, he had two places to sleep. Both were safe and both were good. Some days were house days and some days were apartment days. But both were home."
October 11, 2017
The 3rd grader, Max, spends his weekends with his dad because his parents are divorced. The book describes three episodes in three weekends of him visiting his dad’s new apartment. The first episode of the first weekend is to explore dad’s new neighborhoods while playing detectives. The story shows Max and dad being considerate of each other and not to hurting each other’s’ feelings and understanding their interests. Although the parents are divorced and Max lives with his mother during the weekdays, Max and his father build and retain their relationship as buddies. The second episode introduces the neighbors in dad’s apartment building. They adore Max, and they spend good time together. The last episode represents children's emotions and confusions experienced in a divorced family. So far, when he talks about the apartment, he says “dad’s apartment” instead of “our apartment” or “my room”. Throughout the episode, Max simply realizes that even though their parents live separately, both places are his home to feel safe and well.
Reflecting on the increase number of divorce rates, this book helps us contemplate the situations and emotions of the children who are in the middle of problems. Teachers, parents, and children readers could think about their roles and how to handle this issue from their positions. It is touching that Max has a good friend, Warren. Warren and his parents invited Max to a sleepover at their place when the divorce was occurring. I also like the educational ethics of Max when it comes to his science project for class. He tries to complete his habitat project which is building porcupines’ habitat models with minor help of his father. In this context I believe that this book could tell many stories and influence children’s moral development.
Reflecting on the increase number of divorce rates, this book helps us contemplate the situations and emotions of the children who are in the middle of problems. Teachers, parents, and children readers could think about their roles and how to handle this issue from their positions. It is touching that Max has a good friend, Warren. Warren and his parents invited Max to a sleepover at their place when the divorce was occurring. I also like the educational ethics of Max when it comes to his science project for class. He tries to complete his habitat project which is building porcupines’ habitat models with minor help of his father. In this context I believe that this book could tell many stories and influence children’s moral development.
Want to read
February 19, 2019Early Reader #1, Grade 2-5
Weekends with Max and His Dad is a lighthearted story dealing with divorced parents and what living in two homes is like. The story talks about the fun Max has with his Dad and some of the obstacles Max faces with learning to deal with the transition. Can Max feel at home at his Dad's the same way he does at home with Mom? Eventually, through an attentive Dad, Max learns that both places can be called home.
I chose this book based on the tough family topic that many kids this age have to go through. The easy reading and simple story make it easy for young readers to grasp the tough topic of divorce and gives those young kids who have experienced it something to relate to.
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LightSail Education is a robust reading app that can document reading gains and progress across all grade levels K-12. With a large library and a vast array of reading topics, it helps guide young readers with learning to read.
Resource: Reading Rockets - http://www.readingrockets.org/
Reading Rockets is a national based literacy resource that offers information on how to help kids read. Through research, they assist parents, teachers, and librarians with learning strategies to teach young readers the skills needed to be competent readers.
Weekends with Max and His Dad is a lighthearted story dealing with divorced parents and what living in two homes is like. The story talks about the fun Max has with his Dad and some of the obstacles Max faces with learning to deal with the transition. Can Max feel at home at his Dad's the same way he does at home with Mom? Eventually, through an attentive Dad, Max learns that both places can be called home.
I chose this book based on the tough family topic that many kids this age have to go through. The easy reading and simple story make it easy for young readers to grasp the tough topic of divorce and gives those young kids who have experienced it something to relate to.
Literacy Application: LightSail Education - https://lightsailed.com/
LightSail Education is a robust reading app that can document reading gains and progress across all grade levels K-12. With a large library and a vast array of reading topics, it helps guide young readers with learning to read.
Resource: Reading Rockets - http://www.readingrockets.org/
Reading Rockets is a national based literacy resource that offers information on how to help kids read. Through research, they assist parents, teachers, and librarians with learning strategies to teach young readers the skills needed to be competent readers.
January 7, 2018
This is an adorable book about a boy named Max whose parents are divorced. He spends weekends with his Dad. Dad has just moved into a new apartment. The story takes place over three weekends. During the first weekend, Max decides to train his dad to be a spy. In the second weekend, Max comes up with a plan for dad to have an Open Mike night to play his ukulele. During the third weekend, Dad has a cold and Max's best friend Warren sleeps over. The boys have to finish school projects and go on a quest with a neighbor to get the materials Max needs to finish his project.
I really liked the relationship between Max and his dad. You could tell that they loved each other and enjoyed each others company. I liked how they had certain routines, like going to the local diner for breakfast (and Max having pineapple and bacon pancakes!) and ordering pizza. By the end of the book, you see that Max seems to be more comfortable with his living arrangement, and realizes that Dad's apartment is also his apartment.
This is a great middle grades read!
I really liked the relationship between Max and his dad. You could tell that they loved each other and enjoyed each others company. I liked how they had certain routines, like going to the local diner for breakfast (and Max having pineapple and bacon pancakes!) and ordering pizza. By the end of the book, you see that Max seems to be more comfortable with his living arrangement, and realizes that Dad's apartment is also his apartment.
This is a great middle grades read!
January 9, 2020
Message learned: Divorced parents can provide two homes (or habitats) that are as equally loving, safe, and comfortable.
While this is a lengthier chapter book for young readers, it contains three separate stories within. Each story takes place over one of the weekends Max spends with his newly independent Dad. Dad has moved into a separate apartment from Max's Mom, who lives in a house.
Max is in third grade, and I read this with my son when he was in second grade. My son absolutely devoured this book and always wanted to stay up a little extra for just one more chapter. It did bring up the inevitable "Are you and dad going to divorce?" question, but I was able to have a good discussion with him that we had no plans to do so, but many of his friends go through this.
Max and his Dad meet a range of diverse characters throughout the book. The simple illustrations don't give too much detail on each person, but at least a variety of body types, skin tones, and ages are shown.
While this is a lengthier chapter book for young readers, it contains three separate stories within. Each story takes place over one of the weekends Max spends with his newly independent Dad. Dad has moved into a separate apartment from Max's Mom, who lives in a house.
Max is in third grade, and I read this with my son when he was in second grade. My son absolutely devoured this book and always wanted to stay up a little extra for just one more chapter. It did bring up the inevitable "Are you and dad going to divorce?" question, but I was able to have a good discussion with him that we had no plans to do so, but many of his friends go through this.
Max and his Dad meet a range of diverse characters throughout the book. The simple illustrations don't give too much detail on each person, but at least a variety of body types, skin tones, and ages are shown.
December 17, 2019
Max’s dad now lives in an apartment, so Max spends the weekends with him there. Over the course of three weeks, Max and his dad have spy adventures, figure out how to beat the blues, and create a porcupine habitat for a 3rd grade project together. Max has some uncomfortable feelings about the change and his dad’s desires, but they always work it out, and Max accepts his new home by the end.
I really like how the topic of separated parents is addressed in this book: by not outrightly discussing it. Max and his dad have a normal father-son relationship, and their weekend activities are fun and believable. One thing I didn’t like was how ordering pizza and going out for breakfast seemed to be the only food Max and his dad ate. As much as I love pizza, this seemed stereotypical and kind of lazy. Overall though, this was an enjoyable book to listen to, as you were able to get a feel for how both Max and his dad were adjusting to the new situation.
I really like how the topic of separated parents is addressed in this book: by not outrightly discussing it. Max and his dad have a normal father-son relationship, and their weekend activities are fun and believable. One thing I didn’t like was how ordering pizza and going out for breakfast seemed to be the only food Max and his dad ate. As much as I love pizza, this seemed stereotypical and kind of lazy. Overall though, this was an enjoyable book to listen to, as you were able to get a feel for how both Max and his dad were adjusting to the new situation.
January 6, 2018
This is an excellent transitional chapter book that focuses on Max, and his relationship with his dad. Max lives with his mom during the week, but spends weekends at his dad's new apartment. Not only do these two have fun adventures together (like being spies, working on school projects, taking part in open mike nights, and eating bacon and pineapple pancakes), but we see the emotions of a young boy adjusting to his parents living apart. What I loved best was the fact there was no negativity surrounding the parents' estrangement (no mention of fighting, or parents not getting along, or inuendos about how his Mom does things better), and his dad had even has a picture of Max and his mom on his desk when he set up Max's room. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and will definitely be adding it, and the sequel, to my library.
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