Muddy Max

Gr 2–6—Despite living in a marsh, Max's parents are obsessed with cleanliness. Only when he is pushed into mud by a bully and discovers that mud gives him superpowers does he understand his soil scientist parents' reasoning. As he learns to use his new abilities, he has some predictable but fun adventures: saving a school bus full of his classmates, defeating a bully, and winning a soccer game. What shines in this engaging graphic novel is the relationships, especially the development of Max's family relationships. The full-color artwork is laid out in a traditional style with a variety of sized panels and page layouts. Similarly, the art itself is not groundbreaking, but very well done and appealing for an elementary school audience. An afterword further elaborates on some of the science of mud and encourages children to try their own experiments. The mix of adventure, humor, likable characters, and strong family dynamics will resonate with kids. Readers will be happy to see the obvious setup for a sequel.—Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK