Thursday, September 3, 2015

Max the Brave - a review

Max the Brave
Max the Brave
by Ed Vere
Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky


I had never heard of a book trailer until I met John Schu.  And just like a movie trailer, a book trailer gives that glimpse into the place we're about to travel into, the friends we're about to meet, and the situation we may need to get out of somehow.  Book trailers can make me preorder a book or put a book on hold at the library.  My mind can be made up with a good trailer.

In the case of Max the Brave by Ed Vere, the trailer absolutely made me want to read this book.  Have you seen it?




You want to read the book now, don't you?

I can't wait to read this book with young readers.  They are going to laugh when Max goes on his discovery of what a mouse is.  And they'll laugh when he's sent on a wild goose chase.  And they are going to yell at the book when Max actually finds the mouse.  And go back to laughing when Max thinks he has found the mouse.

I love books that make the reader want to interact with it.  You can't help but yell, and laugh, at Max as he gets, well, slightly confused.

Teachable Moments

* discuss unreliable characters - those that show their true self only to the reader

* cats have natural instincts.  How did Max's instincts stay true to who he is?

* I love books that have inferences just tucked inside of them.  What happened to Max when he woke up the Monster?  By using the illustrations, we have to figure out what happened.

* connect with another book - I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.  Love those unreliable characters!

Find this book now at your local bookstore or library!

No comments:

Post a Comment