Dear Max [Paperback]

Sally Grindley (Author), Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Book Description

Dear D.J. Lucas,

My uncle bought me one of your books for Christmas. It's called Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Boy? I want to be a writer. I want to write a story now. Please will you help me?

Love from Max

And so begins Max's funny correspondence with his favorite author, the world-famous D.J. Lucas. What follows is a touching tale about imagination, friendship, storytelling, and sharing secrets.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 2-4–A nine-year-old boy and his favorite author forge a bond in this heartwarming tale. Though they never meet in person, young Max and D.J. Lucas slowly reveal themselves through a year's worth of letters, postcards, and drawings. Over time, Lucas learns that Max is the smallest kid in his class and the target of a school bully; that he and his mother are on their own, since his father died several years before; and that he suffers from a serious medical issue. Despite all of this, Max uses his fantastic imagination to create stories in which the bad guys always get their just rewards. Max discovers that Lucas is more famous than he thought, making her correspondence even more special. She coaches him as he writes his story, thus illuminating the author's craft for readers by simply explaining topics such as character and plot development. Max helps Lucas write her new book by serving as a model for her main character. The author's voice comes through loud and clear. Clever line drawings, attributed to Max, appear throughout. Teachers looking for a good launch point for writers' workshops will appreciate this book. Children will enjoy the subtle way the story unfolds and the unique relationship it portrays.–Nicki Clausen-Grace, Carillon Elementary School, Oviedo, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Nine-year-old Max, an only child who lives with his widowed mother, corresponds with his favorite author, D. J. Lucas. In short, mostly humorous letters and postcards, the two trade personal experiences and writing suggestions (Max wants to become an author; D. J. is agonizing over her latest book). Max shares his troubles with bullies and illness, and D. J. describes her school visits, book signings, and fears about parachuting. The result is a charming story full of likable, multidimensional characters that will inspire young writers and satisfy readers who always wanted Beverly Cleary's character Leigh Botts to get an answer from his favorite author in Dear Mr. Henshaw (1983). Ross' line drawings add to the fun. This will be a popular choice with first chapter-book readers, especially those with an interest in writing. The author's Web site indicates a sequel is in the works. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141693443X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416934431
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its quick and enjoyable, April 7, 2008

By 

Just Joe "Eragon sucks and C. Paolini is a ta... (Anti-Shurtugal.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Max (Hardcover)

This book is written in the form of letters, postcards and greeting cards! It is the correspondence of a little boy, named Max and his favorite author D.J. Lucas (Dorothy Jane Lucas, that is :)) and you get to see as the two come to have a bond and a relationship through the advice and the help they give to each other through their written words. All in all, its a nice book. It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to read alone for a child if they can make out the words okay. If read aloud in a group, then I would reccomend pausing every 5-7 letters to make sure everyone is keeping up with what is happening.

4.0 out of 5 stars A gentle read..., December 18, 2009

By 

EssieGee (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Max (Paperback)

Dear Max is a story made up of letters between Max and his favorite author D.J. Lucas. Max starts writing to D.J. after he reads one of her books and falls in love with it. When D.J. answers his letter, Max writes back to her, and soon a friendly pen-pal relationship forms.

Max writes to D.J. about the troubles he's having in school, issues with his doctor, and ideas for a story he's writing, while D.J. writes about her struggles with writing a new book and about other events that happen in her own life (like jumping out of a plane!). Max is always sure to add drawings to his letters that reflect what he writes about, which make reading them even more fun!

This is a charming book that reads quickly. Max is a delightful character with whom the reader will identify because the troubles he faces are those that nearly all children face. D.J. is also a very nice character who gently offers Max advice and supports him as he writes his own story. The exchange continues in the second book Bravo, Max! Suggest these titles to children not quite old enough for the Wimpy Kid series.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars WRONG reading level, October 1, 2010

By 

Mom to 6 "jrazvan" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dear Max (Paperback)

The information on Amazon says the reading level is for a 9-12 year old. The book clearly states it is for a 6-9 year old.