Weekends with Max and His Dad
Max and His Dad Series
What’s inside...
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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Max
Dad
Discussion points
How do you think Max felt about the changes in his life and spending weekends with his dad? Can you relate to his feelings?
What activities did Max and his dad do that you found exciting or fun? Why?
How did Max and his dad resolve conflicts throughout the story? What can we learn from their resolutions?
How do you think the relationship between Max and his dad changed from the beginning to the end of the book?
If you could suggest another weekend activity for Max and his dad, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life, changing your voice for different characters to keep your child engaged.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story to encourage critical thinking and active participation.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s personal experiences to help deepen their understanding and connection to the book.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book and discuss why it stood out to them, fostering emotional intelligence and reflective thinking.
Create a mini-project based on the book, like drawing a scene from the story or planning a fun weekend activity, to make the reading experience interactive and memorable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Adaptability
Explanation: Max adjusts to spending weekends at his dad's new apartment and learns to navigate the changes in his family dynamics.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to embrace changes in their own lives, such as moving to a new place or adjusting to new family situations.
Example Lesson: Value of Creativity
Explanation: Max and his dad use their imagination to turn mundane activities into fun adventures.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination to transform simple moments into memorable experiences, fostering creativity in problem-solving and play.
Example Lesson: Building Strong Relationships
Explanation: Through their weekend activities, Max and his dad strengthen their bond, highlighting the importance of quality time.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of spending quality time with family members, which can strengthen relationships and create lasting memories.
Example Lesson: Coping with Emotional Challenges
Explanation: Max expresses his feelings about his parents' separation and learns to cope with his emotions.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that it's okay to express their emotions and seek comfort from loved ones during challenging times.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Teamwork
Explanation: Max and his father tackle tasks and solve problems together during their weekends.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to take on responsibilities at home and work collaboratively with family members or friends.