"At lunch, Maxine saw cool T-shirts
and jeans ripped just right.
Her super cape hung listless as a sail.
Blushing, she tried to hide it.
Garth was no help.
He just walked up walls."
Fans of Max (Candlewick, 2001) will be pleased to meet up with his family once again, and to delight in the new addition to their superhero family. The story opens with the family (Mom obviously pregnant) flying their way to the hospital. There, a sonogram shows that the baby has a fully formed mask. All are impressed.
Once delivered, her new name is chosen. Max is thrilled. Maxine is welcomed home with appropriate gifts from her grandparents, also caped superheroes. Everyone at the office (police station) is happy to meet her as well. Maxine grows quickly and is soon flying. She is young when she is enrolled at school, and anxious to be like the others in her class. They wear ripped jeans and swell T-shirts.
Maxine talks to her parents about it. When told that no one in the family has ever worn such things, Maxine explains her need for change. Off the family goes to find what Maxine wants so badly. Apprehensive, she returns to school to answer questions about her abilities without her cape. She is determined to be herself, and even gives her mask to a little boy who needs it more than she does.
Will she still be able to fly?
I am a devoted fan of Bob Graham and his books. They are often humorous, and always empathetic. His cartoon-like artwork appeals at every level, offering kids warm looks at family life and so much more.
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