Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend?
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend? Read Less Description
Max and the Talent Show (Max and Friends 2) Trade Book (Hardcover)
Written ByKyle Lukoff
Illustrated byLuciano Lozano
Written ByKyle Lukoff
Illustrated byLuciano Lozano
Critically Reviewed
Critically Reviewed
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend?
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend? Read Less Description
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend?
Kyle Lukoff has worked at the intersection of books and people for over half his life, first as a bookseller, then as a school librarian, and now as a writer. He is transgender, like Max, and lives in a small Brooklyn apartment with six overflowing bookshelves.
Luciano Lozano
Luciano Lozano was born the same year Man traveled to the Moon. That may be the reason why he has traveled a lot since childhood. When not traveling, he lives in Barcelona. His illustrations reflect his strong sense of color and texture, as well as his subtle sense of humor.
In this second book featuring Max, a white transgender boy, the spotlight shines on his black male friend, Steven, who wears frilly dresses. Imaginative Steven is eager for the upcoming talent show and wants to find the perfect gown, shoes, cape, and tiara. Every encounter with a salesperson requires Steven to spin a fictional story about why he needs the feminine items. Max and Steven’s mom support Steven’s quest for stardom, but Max prefers to stay in the background as his assistant. As in the first book, the text is simple, with short sentences and episodic chapters. Despite its picture book format, this series title is an excellent choice as an early reader with an LGBTQIA+ theme. VERDICT: A worthy title for classrooms, libraries, and PFLAG and other support organizations’ collections.
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend?
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend? Read Less Description
Max's friend Steven is great at many things. But more than anything else, Steven can tell a story. When Steven signs up for the school's talent show, Max signs up to be his assistant. After selecting that just-right dress and those just-right shoes for the show, the moment arrives. Stephen steps onto the stage. The lights shine brightly in his face. He looks out into the crowd realizing he has prepared everything, except the one thing that matters-his performance. What will Max, standing in the wings, do to help his friend?
Author & Illustrator
Kyle Lukoff
Kyle Lukoff has worked at the intersection of books and people for over half his life, first as a bookseller, then as a school librarian, and now as a writer. He is transgender, like Max, and lives in a small Brooklyn apartment with six overflowing bookshelves.
Luciano Lozano
Luciano Lozano was born the same year Man traveled to the Moon. That may be the reason why he has traveled a lot since childhood. When not traveling, he lives in Barcelona. His illustrations reflect his strong sense of color and texture, as well as his subtle sense of humor.
Reviews
In this second book featuring Max, a white transgender boy, the spotlight shines on his black male friend, Steven, who wears frilly dresses. Imaginative Steven is eager for the upcoming talent show and wants to find the perfect gown, shoes, cape, and tiara. Every encounter with a salesperson requires Steven to spin a fictional story about why he needs the feminine items. Max and Steven’s mom support Steven’s quest for stardom, but Max prefers to stay in the background as his assistant. As in the first book, the text is simple, with short sentences and episodic chapters. Despite its picture book format, this series title is an excellent choice as an early reader with an LGBTQIA+ theme. VERDICT: A worthy title for classrooms, libraries, and PFLAG and other support organizations’ collections.
