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

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.