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Max Meow #2
Donuts and Danger
Meowza! Max was just getting used to being a SECRET SUPER HERO when his and his best friend Mindy's evil look-alikes show up in Kittyopolis! And what's worse, they're determined to take over the world's donut supply--and Max and Mindy are getting blamed! Can Max and Mindy work together to save the day--and the donuts?!
240 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
118 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
John Gallagher
58 books23 followersJohn Gallagher is the art director of the National Wildlife Federation's "Ranger Rick" magazine and has been drawing comics since he was five. John is also the cofounder of "Kids Love Comics" (an organization devoted to using graphic novels to promote literacy) and leads workshops teaching kids how to create their own comics. John lives in Virginia with his wife and their three kids.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 15, 2021
This was ridiculous. The only reason I'm still giving it 3 stars was because my kids liked it but did say the first one was better.
April 14, 2021
Loved it!
May 12, 2021
I really enjoyed the second book of the Max Meow series. This one had a lot of action, and a lot of humor. My ten-year-old sense of humor LOVED it! I work in a library, and I will definitely recommend this to my graphic novel lovers and funny book aficionados.
January 23, 2021
Fans of Hilo and Dog Man, there's a new cat in town.... and it isn't the Cat Crusader.
A portal is opened and a multiverse lets an evil pair into the world who join forces with Big Boss. Everyone believes the pair to be the Cat Crusader and Mindy, but how is that possible? The two of them are filming another episode of Max Meow?
Things get even more confusing when another Big Boss shows up, but is good, not evil?
Will Max and Mindy be able to put the world right? Is Big Boss turning over a new leaf?
A funny, adventurous early graphic novel that will have kids and adults of all ages laughing and guessing what will happen next.
A portal is opened and a multiverse lets an evil pair into the world who join forces with Big Boss. Everyone believes the pair to be the Cat Crusader and Mindy, but how is that possible? The two of them are filming another episode of Max Meow?
Things get even more confusing when another Big Boss shows up, but is good, not evil?
Will Max and Mindy be able to put the world right? Is Big Boss turning over a new leaf?
A funny, adventurous early graphic novel that will have kids and adults of all ages laughing and guessing what will happen next.
December 12, 2020
A fun adventure with Max and Mindy! Plus, donuts. What more do you need? Kids are going to love this one!
December 1, 2020
This book is perfect for young kids that want the adventure and fun and just everything. This author really puts a lot into his books. I just love the way the cat and friends help others and do things in the story to solve issues by being a hero. I love the illustrations , I just cannot say enough goodness about this book. It is adorable and I will sure be getting a couple copies for our library and a personal copy for my grandkids. This is the type of book that young kids need to read especially if they love comics and novels are still too much for them
December 20, 2020
Max is just getting used to having his super powers. The villain looks like Max and wants to take the world's donut supply. Can Max and Mindy save the day with everyone thinking they are the bad guys?
This is like Dog Man for cat people. This book has everything my middle schoolers are looking for in a book. It is ridiculously fun. I love this series so much and told my local comic shop that they needed to order the entire series.
It is witty and perfect for students. The teacher in me loves that the larger vocabulary words are defined and the attention to detail. For example, on page 17 you see a giant penguin and you learn that there are people in the eyes controlling the it. If you go back to the first time you see the robot, what I thought were pupils in the eyes are actually penguin shaped people.
I could not stop laughing and will be buying both a copy for me and a copy for my classroom.
Creative Team:
Creator: John Gallagher
Published by Random House
This is like Dog Man for cat people. This book has everything my middle schoolers are looking for in a book. It is ridiculously fun. I love this series so much and told my local comic shop that they needed to order the entire series.
It is witty and perfect for students. The teacher in me loves that the larger vocabulary words are defined and the attention to detail. For example, on page 17 you see a giant penguin and you learn that there are people in the eyes controlling the it. If you go back to the first time you see the robot, what I thought were pupils in the eyes are actually penguin shaped people.
I could not stop laughing and will be buying both a copy for me and a copy for my classroom.
Creative Team:
Creator: John Gallagher
Published by Random House
November 24, 2020
Read an ARC
Super cute!
Super cute!
December 9, 2020
I received an eARC courtesy of Random House & NetGalley, so here is my review.
Max Meow is a fun but silly story about a cat who becomes a superhero. The story is set in a place where animals are like people and Max became a superhero in the first book. Although some of the back story about Max becoming a superhero is missed by not reading the first book, the second book could stand alone. Max Meow Book 2 reminds me of cartoon tv shows like Spongebob Square Pants or older graphic novels like Captian Underpants. I appreciated the diversity Max Meow Book 2 included by having a female villain and female side kick who may be more important than just a side kick. John Gallagher deals with human troubles like jealousy, loyalty, fear, bravery, and friendship well both through the story of the villain and the superheroes. Throw in an enlarging/shrinking gun and an alternate reality and you have a fun story about an evil squirrel and the superheroes who try to stop her from stealing donuts.
The colors and illustrations of the novel match the tone of the novel. As a graphic novel should the illustrations carry the story while also adding humor to the plot.
Each chapter ends with a question that prompts readers to predict what might happen and provide a great stopping point if the book were to be read over multiple days.
Max Meow is a fun but silly story about a cat who becomes a superhero. The story is set in a place where animals are like people and Max became a superhero in the first book. Although some of the back story about Max becoming a superhero is missed by not reading the first book, the second book could stand alone. Max Meow Book 2 reminds me of cartoon tv shows like Spongebob Square Pants or older graphic novels like Captian Underpants. I appreciated the diversity Max Meow Book 2 included by having a female villain and female side kick who may be more important than just a side kick. John Gallagher deals with human troubles like jealousy, loyalty, fear, bravery, and friendship well both through the story of the villain and the superheroes. Throw in an enlarging/shrinking gun and an alternate reality and you have a fun story about an evil squirrel and the superheroes who try to stop her from stealing donuts.
The colors and illustrations of the novel match the tone of the novel. As a graphic novel should the illustrations carry the story while also adding humor to the plot.
Each chapter ends with a question that prompts readers to predict what might happen and provide a great stopping point if the book were to be read over multiple days.
June 1, 2021
The town of Kittyopolis hasn’t been the same since Max Meow bit into a giant space meatball (in the first installment) and gained super powers. His friend Mindy – “Science Kitty” – also has powers, but she is hesitant to go public with her abilities, so she spends a lot of time in her underground laboratory inventing cool stuff. When a bunch of bad actors, lead by a cute evil squirrel, blows up the fireworks factory, with plans to coopt the world’s supply of donuts, you know things are going to get serious. Evil look-alikes the Catinator and Mandy, along with Reggie Robot, Iron Cat, and a bunch of penguin minions, are a mean and sugar-bent lot.
A short one-page prologue is the perfect catch-up to the world of Kittyopolis, and will help prepare readers for the peripatetic fight between the super energetic cat Max Meow and his thoughtful partner Mindy, a brown-skinned girl who is a perfectionist tech wizard, and the bad guys. There are lots of food puns, plus expressive comic book art and fun vocabulary, with occasional definitions. Each chapter ends with questions that will be answered in the next chapter, giving the story a classic comic book feel. There are allusions to the Twilight Zone, Elvis Presley, and more, to keep kids on their toes. A guide for drawing Mindy is at the end. This series is a fun superhero romp with cats for early grades.
A short one-page prologue is the perfect catch-up to the world of Kittyopolis, and will help prepare readers for the peripatetic fight between the super energetic cat Max Meow and his thoughtful partner Mindy, a brown-skinned girl who is a perfectionist tech wizard, and the bad guys. There are lots of food puns, plus expressive comic book art and fun vocabulary, with occasional definitions. Each chapter ends with questions that will be answered in the next chapter, giving the story a classic comic book feel. There are allusions to the Twilight Zone, Elvis Presley, and more, to keep kids on their toes. A guide for drawing Mindy is at the end. This series is a fun superhero romp with cats for early grades.
November 25, 2020
Max Meow, Cat on the Street, is back again with his best friend and scientist Mindy. After having received superhero powers in the previous book he becomes the Cat Crusader and fights crime and defeats evil. In this book, Max must find a way to defeat both Big Boss (the most adorable evil squirrel you've ever seen), while also fighting his evil self from an alternate reality.
I think kids will really like this book for it's bright colors, funny characters, and uplifting story line. Adults will also like it because there are MANY references that would be too old for the intended readers, but still add to the fun of the book. There are also many puns, which I appreciated. I liked the questions at the end of the chapters as it gives the reader something to think about, but because it became a running gag instead of actually being answered, it lost appeal. Definitely something for your 3rd-5th grader who likes superheroes and thinks about becoming one themselves.
Also, Reggie is my favorite and I would like to be his friend.
I think kids will really like this book for it's bright colors, funny characters, and uplifting story line. Adults will also like it because there are MANY references that would be too old for the intended readers, but still add to the fun of the book. There are also many puns, which I appreciated. I liked the questions at the end of the chapters as it gives the reader something to think about, but because it became a running gag instead of actually being answered, it lost appeal. Definitely something for your 3rd-5th grader who likes superheroes and thinks about becoming one themselves.
Also, Reggie is my favorite and I would like to be his friend.
May 4, 2021
In this, the second installment of a feline-themed graphic novel series, Max Meow continues his crusade again crime with some help from his scientific-minded best friend Mindy. Readers of the first book will recall that Max takes on superpowers after nibbling a giant space meatball. Here, he must deal with lookalikes for him and Mindy--Xan and Mandy--and the ever-shrinking and ever-growing (literally!) villains who are tearing the town apart. As the Catinator poses as a hero, Max becomes increasingly concerned that everyone will think he's up to new good. Featuring splashy colors, lots of action, machines that shrink and grow anything in their path, this book will have readers turning its pages quickly to see how everything turns out. With a guest appearance from the golden-voiced Elvis Purrsley who provides support and some sheer determination on the part of Max and some unexpected allies, Max and Mindy sort everything out--just in time for the arrival of visitors from space and even more challenges.
February 9, 2024
Max Meow and his sidekick Science Kitty are likable graphic novel heroes in the same vein as Dog Man-order in the series doesn’t matter, boldly colored panels, dialogue and illustration-driven, comic superheroes, and ridiculous scenarios that will make kids laugh. In this case, Max and Kitty’s evil twins are trying to steal all the donuts in town and they are the only ones who can stop their dastardly deeds. Chapters end with big questions like cartoons of old (“What will our intrepid heroes do next” type) that will spur thinking and led readers onto the next chapter. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the violence is limited to goofy and bloodless battles between heroes and villains. When books like Pilkey’s Dog Man, Captain Underpants and Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady fly off the bookshelves, Max Meow is another choice for that library’s readers.
March 17, 2021
The first sequel in this series of comic adventures about a super-powered cat. It's not essential to have read the first one, for there is a handy recap here, before we're straight into it, with unrealistic fireworks, his friend who's reluctant to join him on the front line against crime, and, well, something or someone dastardly to defeat. It's all brash and exuberant, it's all interrupted (still) by multiple rhetorical questions marking every cliffhanger, as if this was an old kids' serial, or a part-book, when it wasn't. Far better to my mind were the elevator gag, the spoof Danger Room, and most especially "The Twilight Zone". But in the right reader's mind, of course, it's a four-star treat.
August 5, 2021
My Review: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The following is my honest review and opinion. I read the first graphic novel in the Max Meow series and really enjoyed it and could see where young readers would love it. This time around I was anxious to not only read it but to also share it with my son, he is a huge Dog Man and InvestiGators fan. I really enjoyed this one, maybe even more than the first. It is a fun action story with super heroes, a mystery thrown in and (yes this is the parent in me) some really great lessons too! My son did not want to put this one down and neither did I, we both finished it within 2 days and are so excited for another one to come out!
October 24, 2023
Max Meow has to save the city from...himself? Well, his evil twin the Catinator at least. The Catinator is leaving a trail of destruction and giving Max Meow a bad name. Can he rid the town from evil? Can Science Kitty get the confidence to help him fight this evil threat?
I like how the chapter endings hark back to much older cartoons with the questions about how things will play out before commercial or episode breaks. Nice to keep that tradition alive for some young readers. And the author has fun with them. Max and Science Kitty are likable heroes to follow around and don't face anything too crazy. Hand this to lower middle grade readers who love superheroes.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some battles, but no one is seriously hurt.
I like how the chapter endings hark back to much older cartoons with the questions about how things will play out before commercial or episode breaks. Nice to keep that tradition alive for some young readers. And the author has fun with them. Max and Science Kitty are likable heroes to follow around and don't face anything too crazy. Hand this to lower middle grade readers who love superheroes.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some battles, but no one is seriously hurt.
January 7, 2021
After receiving his superpowers in the previous book, Max has become the Cat Crusader. Meanwhile, his alternate reality evil self and the Big Boss are determined to steal the world’s supply of donuts. To make matters worse, Max and Mindy keep getting blamed for the thefts. Can the duo defeat the Big Boss and Max’s evil self? Why do the two evil villains want the donuts? Fun, cute illustrations. The plot is adorable, entertaining, and fun. The characters are well developed. The illustrations and text work well together. Fans of Dog Man, HiLo, and other superhero graphic novels will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
March 30, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Books for Young Readers through NetGalley.
Max and Mindy are back in a new adventure to save their town. This time the Big Boss teams up with a surprise visitor from another universe. The Catinator is the opposite from the Cat Crusader and works with a sidekick called the Iron Cat (Mandy). They use Mindy's new invention and take over the donut market. In the end, despite double crosses and impossible battles, the Cat Crusader and Science Kitty save the day.
Plenty of humor or middle grade readers. The plot will appeal to their sense of the ridiculous and the artwork bring the story to life.
Max and Mindy are back in a new adventure to save their town. This time the Big Boss teams up with a surprise visitor from another universe. The Catinator is the opposite from the Cat Crusader and works with a sidekick called the Iron Cat (Mandy). They use Mindy's new invention and take over the donut market. In the end, despite double crosses and impossible battles, the Cat Crusader and Science Kitty save the day.
Plenty of humor or middle grade readers. The plot will appeal to their sense of the ridiculous and the artwork bring the story to life.
November 16, 2023
The Cat Crusader (aka Max Meow) got his powers from taking a bite out of a space meatball and is now a superhero that saves the day. But when a strange portal has opened, another one of himself from a parallel universe comes through and is the exact opposite of the Cat Crusader. The same goes for his friend and partner Mindy. Instead of a hero, Max's alternate self is a villain and Cat Crusader has to go up against himself! Mindy's alternate self is also a "villain" named Mandy. Will Max and Mindy be able to save the day from themselves?
Superhero fans will love all the good vs. evil, humor, super power antics that go on in this story.
Superhero fans will love all the good vs. evil, humor, super power antics that go on in this story.
October 4, 2020
I'm going to start by saying, I'm not the target audience for these books. Quite honestly, while I like a good graphic novel or comic book, my tastes run more towards Marvel superheroes. That said, these books will be hugely popular with my elementary students who love Dog Man or the Bad Guys series. These books mix humor and action in equal parts. I do love that the superheroes are not perfect and learn from their mistakes. I will definitely be ordering this series for my library.
Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 14, 2020
I received an eARC courtesy of Random House & NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Fans of the first book, as well as books like Dog-Man, Investigators & HiLo, are going to be ecstatic to see Max & Mindy back at it again. This book is not my thing AT ALL, but kids love it. It has a great blend of over-the-top humor, ridiculous plot devices and strange characters-everything that makes a graphic novel beloved by kids.
For libraries: Definitely a great idea for purchase. You might not particularly enjoy it, but your kids certainly will.
Fans of the first book, as well as books like Dog-Man, Investigators & HiLo, are going to be ecstatic to see Max & Mindy back at it again. This book is not my thing AT ALL, but kids love it. It has a great blend of over-the-top humor, ridiculous plot devices and strange characters-everything that makes a graphic novel beloved by kids.
For libraries: Definitely a great idea for purchase. You might not particularly enjoy it, but your kids certainly will.
April 2, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children's for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
This follows a superhero cat and his scientist sidekick when they foil supervillains' weird plans involving donuts.
A weird nitpick, but I really didn't like the font used for the speech bubbles. Perhaps this is because it's an early copy or something, but it felt really off and didn't belong somehow. I hope they smooth it out in the final copy.
Fans of Dog Man will certainly adore this crime-fighting cat series!
This follows a superhero cat and his scientist sidekick when they foil supervillains' weird plans involving donuts.
A weird nitpick, but I really didn't like the font used for the speech bubbles. Perhaps this is because it's an early copy or something, but it felt really off and didn't belong somehow. I hope they smooth it out in the final copy.
Fans of Dog Man will certainly adore this crime-fighting cat series!
February 13, 2022
I still think this series is trying to be a bit of a Dog Man copy-cat and it's missing a little bit of what makes Dog Man so popular but I enjoyed this one more than the first. I think the questions are the end of the chapter are a nice touch. There are definitely some jokes in there for adults (not in the inappropriate way but just in the way that kids won't get the reference). There is actually a little bit of science involved and a great message about how it's okay to not be purfect (sorry couldn't resist).
March 25, 2021
Max Meow is back in another adventure with his sidekick Mindy the scientist. This book brings Big Boss together with two new bad guys, evil versions of Max and Mindy.
Overall, the series is cute. Short, manageable chapters that all end with cliff-hangers so the kids want to keep reading. My boys are 6 and 8. They really enjoyed it. If your child likes Dog Man or InvestiGators, they will like this.
Overall, the series is cute. Short, manageable chapters that all end with cliff-hangers so the kids want to keep reading. My boys are 6 and 8. They really enjoyed it. If your child likes Dog Man or InvestiGators, they will like this.
June 21, 2021
It probably would have helped if I had read the first Max Meow book, but either way this wasn't one of my favorite elementary leveled graphic novels. The characters and illustrations are fine but the story seems a little tired. Almost like a rehashing of Dog Man but with a cat main character and his human sidekick. I know I'll have some students who will probably love this so I'll still be sure to add this series to our graphic novel collection.
October 24, 2021
So Max Meow was at a parade with his friend Mindy. There was a banana float it looked so weird. A super un hero flew out of the eyes of the float. It was so weird. It was a bad guy. The Cat Crusader flew up and fought the bad guy. The super unhero was going to the float in front which was a huge donut from a bakery. They stole the donut and broke it in half. Donuts were stuffed inside the big donut. The Cat Crusader tried to catch as many donuts as he could. Then he destroyed the bad guy.
February 13, 2022
Who will step through from the Multi-verse? Will Mindy find her confidence as Science Kitty? How can a giant robot penguin fit into a banana suit? Can donuts be farmed? These questions and more will be asked in part 2 of Max Meow!
Miss 7 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 7 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
July 20, 2022
Max Meow and his friend Mindy are back in this second volume of this intermediate level graphic novel series. Max and Mindy use their superpowers to take on a gang of havoc seeking penguins and their collaborators including a sinister squirrel trying to corner the donut market. The adventures include opening portals, the emergent of evil twins and a machine that can enlarge and shrink people and things. Readers will enjoy reading and viewing how Max and Mindy overcome all these obstacles.
November 2, 2021
This is a fun and enjoyable read for animal lovers as well as those looking for a good graphic novel. Kids, and adults, too, will love the colorful illustrations and the antics of Max and his fellow crime fighters and enemies. This is the second book in the series. Don’t sleep on it! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
November 22, 2025
Stronger second entry in established illustrated series about a cat and scientist heroic team saving the day while learning life lessons. This one is about choosing - good/evil, friendship/selfishness - and the limitations of perfection-seeking vs just trying your best. Suitable for all ages. Lots of cross-media Easter eggs (wink).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews