His Name Was Max
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A gripping tale of resilience and the power of friendship, 'His Name Was Max' follows the journey of a young boy, Matthew Aloysius Xavier, who overcomes adversity with the help of his loyal dog, Max. After losing his parents, Max goes to live with his aunt and uncle in the Connecticut countryside during the early 20th century. Throughout the story, Max faces growing pains, memorable events, and significant life decisions with the guidance of mystical Irish characters. Themes of loss, courage, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between a child and his pet are explored as Max navigates through trials and tribulations, proving to be more than just a companion but a hero in his own right. Stephanie A. Brady weaves a heartwarming narrative filled with laughter, empathy, life lessons, and surprises, sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
Age
4-12
Length
72 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did you feel when Max faced challenges? What would you do in his situation?
What do you think makes Max special? How do you see those qualities in yourself or others?
Max meets many characters in the book. Who was your favorite and why?
If you could give Max one piece of advice, what would it be?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our hometown?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, altering your voice for different characters to maintain your child's interest.
Pause at pivotal moments in the story to ask predictive questions, like 'What do you think will happen next?'
After reading, connect the story to your child’s experiences by relating themes or events in the book to their personal life.
Encourage your child to draw a scene from the book. This can help them express their understanding and perspective of the story visually.
Discuss the morals and lessons learned from Max’s adventures to reinforce understanding and application to real-world scenarios.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Through the protagonist Max's interactions and adventures with peers, the story illustrates the importance of building and maintaining friendships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to nurture their relationships with their peers at school and in extracurricular activities, understanding the mutual benefits of companionship.
Example Lesson: Courage in Adversity
Explanation: Max faces numerous challenges throughout the book, and his brave responses provide a model for handling difficult situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children in confronting their own fears and obstacles, be it during performances, exams, or in tackling new experiences.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Max often solves problems by thinking outside the box, which shows the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to apply imaginative solutions to their daily challenges, fostering innovation and creative thinking from a young age.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As Max takes on tasks that require him to care for others, the theme of responsibility is highlighted.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of being reliable and taking ownership of their duties at home or school.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story portrays Max's ability to understand and share the feelings of others, demonstrating empathy.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with their friends and family, improving their emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships.