Maxi's Secrets: (Or, What You Can Learn from a Dog)

by Lynn Plourde Narrated by Maxwell Glick

Overview

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.
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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.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

08/15/2016
"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. Agent: Susan Cohen, Writers House. (Aug.)

From the Publisher

The secrets are little gems, providing food for thought . . . The characters are fully developed, and the delicate subjects of bullying and disabilities are dealt with deftly and with humor. The story would make a great read-aloud, as Plourde has created humorous and believable characters that readers will be cheering for . . . Will have wide appeal to dog lovers and those looking for a feel-good tale of overcoming adversity.”—School Library Journal

“Plourde’s skillful blend of humor, pathos, and wisdom creates a story that begs to be shared with middle-grade students, who will fall in love with a deaf dog, her steadfast owner, and the rest of the characters who populate the novel . . . A story of love and friendship that deserves to join the ranks of other unforgettable canines and their owners.”—Booklist

“Timminy is a funny, personable narrator . . . A hopeful, satisfying conclusion. Bullying and disabilities are handled honestly . . . Perfect for reading aloud, any middle-level or younger student, especially dog lovers, will adore this humorous, heartwarming story of overcoming adversity.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

“Timminy’s coping strategies could help readers dealing with the loss of a pet . . . This earnest boy-and-his-dog tale makes a strong case for Secret No. 11: ‘There’s nothing so bad in the world that dog kisses won’t make it better.’”—Kirkus Reviews

“Plourde 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.”—Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

06/01/2016
Gr 4–6—Extra short fifth grader Timminy doesn't beat around the bush when he notifies readers upfront that the canine heroine of the story will meet a similar fate as beloved dogs like Old Yeller and Sounder. Maxi, a Great Pyrenees puppy, is the bribe Timminy's parents dangled when they moved the family from Portland, ME, to middle of nowhere, Skenago. Timminy is terrified of starting middle school, fearing he will be the target of bullies, and having his dad as the vice principal surely can't help matters any. Timminy's fears are validated, as he soon faces relentless bullying and is frequently trapped in the lockers. He looks forward each day to returning home to Maxi, who the family soon discovers is deaf. Timminy's neighbor, fellow middle schooler Abby, is blind, and the two quickly form a friendship. Timminy is amazed that Abby doesn't let her blindness slow her down, and he eventually develops a shift in his own thinking about his shortcomings. Each chapter ends with one of Maxi's "secrets," such as "A new friend is like a present—you're not sure what's inside, but you can't wait to find out." The secrets are little gems, providing food for thought. Timminy's ability to make fun of himself backfires when he and Abby have a misunderstanding, which leads to a falling-out. When Abby gets lost in the woods during a horrible snowstorm, it's up to the small boy and his dog to find her. The characters are fully developed, and the delicate subjects of bullying and disabilities are dealt with deftly and with humor. The story would make a great read-aloud, as Plourde has created humorous and believable characters that readers will be cheering for. Knowing Maxi's fate from the outset makes for a heartbreaking, yet satisfying, ending. VERDICT A novel that will have wide appeal to dog lovers and those looking for a feel-good tale of overcoming adversity.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Kirkus Reviews

2016-05-14
"My dog, Maxi, dies," warns Timminy at the start of this friendship tale set in small-town Maine. After preparing readers for the inevitable, the white boy comforts them (and himself) with memories of how Maxi—a huge, deaf Great Pyrenees—helped him to make friends and cope with a bully after starting middle school in a new town as a "shrimpy kid." Walking with Maxi, he meets Abby: the "blindest" and "blackest" kid in school, who has no patience for his troubles. The old trope of sassy disabled and/or black characters dispensing tough love is mitigated here by explanations of blindness and "blind talk": funny, surprising, and gross ways to describe particular qualities of what Abby can't see. Maxi—"a marshmallow in the middle of a big bowl of broccoli"—ultimately reveals similar qualities in her humans, finally coaxing sympathy from Abby and exposing a bully Timminy calls "the Beast of the East" as a nice guy, while Timminy learns to laugh at himself. Maxi's death may prompt a few sniffles, but Timminy's coping strategies could help readers dealing with the loss of a pet. A short subplot mentions MIRA, a real organization that provides guide dogs to kids. Each chapter is summarized by a "secret": an aphorism that applies to life in general. Though purposive, this earnest boy-and-his-dog tale makes a strong case for Secret No. 11: "There's nothing so bad in the world that dog kisses won't make it better." (Fiction. 9-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172139598
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	11/13/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Maxi's Secrets"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Lynn Plourde.
Excerpted by permission of Penguin Young Readers Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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