9780544598171 |
0544598172 |
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Summary
Summary
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.
Author Notes
Linda Urban 's debut novel, A Crooked Kind of Perfect , was nominated for twenty state awards. She is also the author of Hound Dog True , a Kirkus Best Book; The Center of Everything ; and the funny fantasy-adventure Milo Speck, Accidental Agent . A former bookseller, she lives in East Montpelier, Vermont. Visit her website at www.lindaurbanbooks.com .
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Max's parents are getting a divorce, and his dad has just moved into a new apartment. Third grader Max is starting to become aware of what it means to split time between the house he's always lived in-and where his mom still lives-and his dad's place, which doesn't even have a couch yet. Max's secret spy skills help him observe quite a bit about this new territory, and even though his father is a pretty hopeless spy helper, he manages to learn a few things, too. They explore Dad's building and neighborhood across three chapters, making good friends and self-discoveries along the way. The voice of narrator Chris Henry Coffey is amiable and warm. The characters' voices are minimally distinctive, but with well-paced reading and straightforward text, it is easy to understand who is speaking. VERDICT Gentle story lines and understated narration make this a solid listen for elementary students.-Jennifer Verbrugge, Minnesota Department of Education, State Library Services, Roseville, MN © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this delightfully funny and realistic story, third grader Max Leroy embarks on escapades with his newly divorced father. During their first weekend together, Max decides that he, as Agent Pepperoni, and his father, as "helper spy" Agent Cheese, must dress with fake mustaches and scars, bandanas, fedoras, and sunglasses to uncover suspicious local activity. "This disguise is so good even I don't know who I am," says Dad. The two bond as they surreptitiously take photos, follow unsuspecting characters, and even save the day when a tourist wanders away from his tour group. In subsequent weekends, Max helps his father meet neighbors, face his fear of performing in public, and buy new furniture. Urban's (Milo Speck, Accidental Agent) subtle and perceptive take on divorce will resonate with children facing similar predicaments as she blends Max's worries and "someone-sitting-on-his-chest" feelings with a vivid imagination and good intentions that take father and son on some very entertaining adventures-with future ones planned. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Now that Dad has moved out of the house, Max spends weekends with him in his new apartment. This appealing chapter book tells of their first three weekends together. First, Max imagines himself a spy, Agent Pepperoni, and deputizes Dad as Agent Cheese. Together, they investigate their new neighborhood and get comfortable with each other in their new home. They shop for furniture at the INEEDA store (where even toothbrushes have names), get together with a few neighbors, and invite Max's best friend for a sleepover. Divided into weekend segments, the narrative includes plenty of amusing and lovable moments, while not glossing over the times when Max feels uncomfortable in the new apartment, or the fact that Dad sometimes gets the blues (or a cold). The cast of characters grows throughout, but at the heart of the story is Max's warm, easygoing relationship with his father. Illustrated with pleasing black-and-white drawings, this book opens a three-volume series. Urban, who wrote A Crooked Kind of Perfect (2007), offers an engaging choice for chapter-book readers.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2016 Booklist