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patriziadc's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
xan_48's review
4.0
This book.was a lovely surprise, it turned out to be so much more than I thought it would be. Max always makes bad choices & finds it hard to be 'good' but when his father disappears, he has to step up and care for his 3 younger siblings. Not an easy task. It was slightly heartbreaking but when the children relocate themselves to a cottage in Wales, the story takes flight. Max finds something in Wales & there are some superb moments in the story. All the way through you are rooting for Max & the end doesn't disappoint.
It's a gorgeous story of siblings, family, friendship & adventure. I would highly recommend it, and will be recommending it to my friends.
It's a gorgeous story of siblings, family, friendship & adventure. I would highly recommend it, and will be recommending it to my friends.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
No matter how hard Max tries and how good the intentions, he always seems to get in trouble. But then with dad not around as much and his three younger sisters in need of care, for learning to navigate through these life changes is a challenge and a climb.
When Max's dad gets into a fix that he casts him in deep trouble with the authorities and into hiding, Max decides to take the girls and run away – to a different country entirely. Knowing that his friend has an empty cottage is deepest North Wales, Max takes his sisters and a handful of money with him. No matter what he will try to protect and raise his sisters whilst giving them the best Christmas that he can.
Max’s story is one of a whole family attempting to cope with the grief of losing a mother and wife. Whilst dad and the girls each have their own way of tackling this loss, Max seeks to find the answer to his pain by searching for a sleeping dragon stop a Welsh mountain.
Neglect, abandonment and grief are key themes throughout this story and yet Day manages these with a gentle honesty. You can’t help but feel for Max and all his terrible decisions – he’s just a young boy thrown into an impossible situation. Yet the kindness and selflessness of others around him are there to catch him when he returns from his quest.
When Max's dad gets into a fix that he casts him in deep trouble with the authorities and into hiding, Max decides to take the girls and run away – to a different country entirely. Knowing that his friend has an empty cottage is deepest North Wales, Max takes his sisters and a handful of money with him. No matter what he will try to protect and raise his sisters whilst giving them the best Christmas that he can.
Max’s story is one of a whole family attempting to cope with the grief of losing a mother and wife. Whilst dad and the girls each have their own way of tackling this loss, Max seeks to find the answer to his pain by searching for a sleeping dragon stop a Welsh mountain.
Neglect, abandonment and grief are key themes throughout this story and yet Day manages these with a gentle honesty. You can’t help but feel for Max and all his terrible decisions – he’s just a young boy thrown into an impossible situation. Yet the kindness and selflessness of others around him are there to catch him when he returns from his quest.
ruthie_the_librarian's review
4.0
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag: http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Max_Kowalski_Didn%27t_Mean_It_by_Susie_Day
leyamay22's review
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
charlottesomewhere's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
I really felt for Max trying to hold his little family together and look after his siblings. Loved the adventure to Wales and the dragon on the mountain. Brilliant story.
admiralsmall's review
5.0
Brilliant. Perfection. It was so realistic, and so frustrating and the characters were so perfectly formed and real. I loved every second of it.
goldenbooksgirl's review
4.0
I`ve been waiting on a new Susie Day book for what feels like ages now, and Max`s story definitely didn`t disappoint- I think it may be my new favourite of her books, in fact. It follows the titular character Max as his dad disappears under rather shady circumstances and he has to look after his younger sisters, which he chooses to do by running away to Wales, where he ends up trying to slay a dragon so he can acquire the riches legends claim it guards. I found Max to be an utterly lovable hero and I also adored the secondary cast/Max`s relationships with them. The bond he shares with his sisters was particularly lovely, and I really enjoyed how he was willing to go to extreme lengths to try and make his family happy. The humour of this was also wonderful and it made me laugh loads- Susie Day`s trademark quirky humour is always so fun to read and this book is no exception. At the same time, though, it`s also full of heart and contains a super important message about toxic masculinity, and the ending made me cry as a result. If you enjoy contemporary MG, make sure to pick up a Susie Day book. 4.5/5
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