Max's log book of observations, drawings, experiments, and inventions reveals the rich world of his imagination and his feelings about his parents' divorce. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Hand-lettered on graph paper, infused with childlike drawings and collages, Moss's (the Amelia's Notebook series) paper-over-board facsimile of a boy's journal ostensibly spotlights his experiments and inventions (these range from classroom exercises to microwaving marshmallows in order to create "Godzilla Puff" in his kitchen and devising an alarm that will sound when someone enters his bedroom). But the underpinnings of Max's musings are more emotional than scientific (despite the periodic table of elements on the inside front cover). Upset by his parents' frequent arguments, Max fears they are headed toward divorce. He imagines inventing such solutions as a "Prevent-a-Divorce Machine," an "Instant Happiness Robot" and "Hypnodisks" that will force his mother and father to behave as he wishes. There are some silly, irrelevant asides here, e.g., Max's comic strips featuring "Alien Eraser," which imagine the exploits of a pencil-top eraser confiscated by Max's teacher, and Moss doesn't always trust readers to interpret Max's behavior ("I can make my army and alien erasers do whatever I want, but not my parents," Max explains). Even so, the boy's anguish and anxiety will resonate with kids who have faced similar situations, and his gradual acceptance of his parents' eventual separation may well provide solace. Ages 7-10. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 3-5-Like Moss's "Amelia" (Pleasant Co.), Max keeps a notebook. He records some of his inventions and experiments, but mostly he writes about his life, both at school and at home. His parents' constant fighting is troubling to him. He fears that their arguing will lead to a divorce and tries to invent a way for his mother and father to get along better. He illustrates his logbook with pictures of his "perfect family" that he drew on pencil-top erasers. The clever artwork also includes the adventures of "Alien Eraser," a comic strip that he and his friend Omar devise. There are some funny one-liners among the humorous, color illustrations. In the end, Max's folks separate, and he realizes that he doesn't have to choose one over the other. An additional purchase where Moss's books are popular.-Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 3-5. Max's parents are both scientists, so he decides to create a record of the happenings in his life on graph paper. Max doesn't have a scientific mind, however, and his logbook is filled with scribbled pictures and a comic strip about an invented character, Alien Eraser, as well as his thoughts, which often focus on the disintegration of his parents' marriage. Moss, well known for her similarly formatted books about Amelia, effectively captures the workings of a young boy's mind through seemingly hand-lettered text and boisterous watercolor-and-ink illustrations that are frequently funny. At times, the rather sad story of a confused boy observing his parents' failing marriage doesn't blend well with the manic, humorous activity on the pages, but there's no doubting the energy of this unconventional novel, which comes packaged in a format that is sure to appeal to kids. ToddMorning. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.