“Fans of Clementine and Ramona have a reason to rejoice: there’s a new kid on the block … Bighearted, hilarious, and tender. ” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery medalist
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.
“Urban’s 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. ” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Urban excels at credibly presenting this situation from Max’s third-grade point of view … Urban’s writing is both crisply specific (a basset hound ‘sniffed as she walked through puddles, dragging her ears like flat-bottomed boats’) and simple enough to be accessible. ” —The Bulletin (starred review)
“A sweet, empathetic look at a common situation. ” —Kirkus Reviews
“Urban’s touch is light throughout … a story just right for budding chapter-book readers. ” —The Horn Book
“The cast of characters grows throughout, but at the heart of the story is Max’s warm, easygoing relationship with his father. ” —Booklist
