Superhero...or Super Thief
#3 in Maximum Boy Series
on Goodreads (27)
What’s inside...
When someone dressed like Maximum Boy stops time to steal three priceless treasures, eleven-year-old Max Silver, also known as Maximum Boy, must figure out if the villain is an imposter or part of a setup. Meanwhile, time is stopped again and four of the world's most valuable treasures are stolen by a thief wearing a black mask, silver cape, and hat all bearing Maximum Boy's logo.
Discussion points
What do you think makes someone a hero and not a thief?
How did the characters' actions affect their friends and community?
What would you do if you were in the superhero's shoes?
Can you think of a time when you had to make a tough decision between right and wrong? What did you choose?
How do you think the story would change if the superhero made different choices?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading the book together, pause at key moments and ask your child how they feel about the choices the characters are making.
Encourage your child to relate the scenarios in the book to their own experiences, fostering a personal connection to the story.
Discuss the consequences of the characters’ actions, both good and bad, to highlight moral values.
Use examples from the book to explain complex themes like integrity, trust, and consequence.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene and explain why they chose it, deepening their understanding and recall of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: The protagonist faces a dilemma between using his powers for personal gain or doing the right thing. He learns that honesty builds trust and respect.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by understanding the importance of telling the truth and being trustworthy in their daily interactions, such as in schoolwork or with friends.
Example Lesson: Responsibility comes with power
Explanation: As the character grapples with his abilities, he realizes that having power also means being responsible for how it's used.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that their actions, whether big or small, have consequences and that they should think about the impacts of their decisions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Throughout his journey, the character encounters different people who challenge his perspective, teaching him to understand and empathize with others’ situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate of feelings and viewpoints different from their own, helping them to build stronger, empathetic relationships.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The protagonist learns that working together with others can achieve greater results than working alone.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child's life through collaborating with classmates on projects or playing team sports, teaching them the value of cooperation and collective effort.