Maxi's Secrets
(or what you can learn from a dog)
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
When a BIG, lovable, does-it-her-way dog wiggles her way into the heart of a loudmouth pipsqueak of a boy, wonderful things happen that help him become a bigger, better person. With its diverse cast, authentic narrator, and perfect blend of spot-on middle-grade humor, drama, and wisdom, this powerful debut is relatable, funny, bittersweet, and full of heart.
Timminy knows that moving to a new town just in time to start middle school when you are perfect bully bait is less than ideal. But he gets a great consolation prize in Maxi—a gentle giant of a dog who the family quickly discovers is deaf. Timminy is determined to do all he can to help Maxi—after all, his parents didn't return him because he was a runt. But when the going gets rough for Timminy, who spends a little too much time getting shoved into lockers at school, Maxi ends up being the one to help him—along with their neighbor, Abby, who doesn’t let her blindness define her and bristles at Timminy’s “poor-me” attitude. It turns out there’s more to everyone than what’s on the surface, whether it comes to Abby, Maxi, or even Timminy himself.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Really, really short" for his age, Timminy knows that he'll be the perfect target for bullies at his new school. The only upside to his family's recent move is Maxi, a Great Pyrenees puppy. She immediately wins the fifth-grader's heart, and nothing not her strong will, smelly accidents, or deafness lessens his devotion to her. Maxi's endearing personality and outgoing nature help Timminy develop relationships with two neighbors: gruff and imposing Rory, who surprises Timminy with unexpected kindness and complexity; and visually impaired Abby, who has little patience for Timminy's self-pity and challenges his defeatist attitude. The story opens with Timminy telling readers that Maxi dies, but this information fades to the background as they watch Timminy come into his own and Maxi become a hero in ways both big and small. In her first middle grade novel, picture book author Plourde (Merry Moosey Christmas) clearly shows Maxi's remarkable influence on the lives of Timminy, his family, and his friends. This story is a tender reminder that perceived shortcomings don't define us and that the power of friendship can't be underestimated. Ages 10 up.
