Maxi's Secrets by Lynn Plourde

Maxi's Secrets by Lynn Plourde

Expected Release Date: August 2016

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books 

Advanced Review Copy provided by publisher, Nancy Paulsen

Excited is an understatement when I received an advanced copy of Maxi's Secrets by Lynn Plourde in the mail.   Nancy Paulsen published two of my favorite books by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys, so I knew this one was also going to be good! This book lived up to all of my expectations and more.  

Maxi's Secrets is middle grade novel that would be a perfect read aloud or book club book during a social issues or character unit.  Timminy is a 5th grade boy who is moving to a new town where 5th grade is at the middle school. For some kids, that would be exciting, but not for Timminy because he is shorter than most kids his age, is teased about his name, and his dad is going to be the AP at his new school.  To help Timminy feel better about the move, his parents agree to get him a Great Pyrenees puppy who he calls Maxi.  As Timminy is acclimating to his new school and neighborhood, he learns that Maxi is deaf and has her own challenges.  He also becomes close friends with Abby, a neighbor and classmate, who was born blind.  With the help of his friendship with Abby and Maxi, Timminy learns many helpful life lessons and the importance of perseverance, confidence, optimism, and true friendship.  

This book is a page turner and will make you laugh, cry, and everything else in between! Although this book doesn't hit shelves until August, definitely add it to your TBR list!

Happy Reading!