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Maxi's Secrets
Maxi's Secrets: (or what you can learn from a dog) | Lynn Plourde
10 posts | 8 read | 2 to read
When a BIG, lovable, does-it-her-way dog wiggles her way into the heart of a loudmouth pipsqueak of a boy, wonderful things happen that help him become a bigger, better person. With its diverse cast, authentic narrator, and perfect blend of spot-on middle-grade humor, drama, and wisdom, this powerful debut is relatable, funny, bittersweet, and full of heart. Timminy knows that moving to a new town just in time to start middle school when you are perfect bully bait is less than ideal. But he gets a great consolation prize in Maxia gentle giant of a dog who the family quickly discovers is deaf. Timminy is determined to do all he can to help Maxiafter all, his parents didn't return him because he was a runt. But when the going gets rough for Timminy, who spends a little too much time getting shoved into lockers at school, Maxi ends up being the one to help himalong with their neighbor, Abby, who doesnt let her blindness define her and bristles at Timminys poor-me attitude. It turns out theres more to everyone than whats on the surface, whether it comes to Abby, Maxi, or even Timminy himself.
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review
collin-toppins
Pickpick

Maxi‘s secrets is such a good book. It‘s a book about a boy named Timminny, who has to move away, but in return he gets a dog, that he will love forever. This book made me cry, laugh, and so much more emotions. I recommend this book to everyone!

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Bshelton27
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This MF read is great to use in your classroom to show social and physical differences. Maxi, a Great Pyrenees, is a great companion for Timminy, who shows him about many life lessons. Maxi is actually deaf but teaches Timminy all about understanding and being perceptive in this cruel world. At the end of each Chapter there is a “Maxi Secret” read to find them all out! I would actually use this in a LC to have students pitch this book to others.

Bshelton27 I would use UDL strategy 8.3(Foster collaboration and community) and EL strategy 13(Use preview/review activities) This website is straight from the authors site with great in depth questions that I think would be great for discussions amongst a group. https://www.lynnplourde.com/uploads/35/Documents/MAXI'S%20SECRETS%20ACTIVITIES.p... #ucflae3414su19 5y
Estradan Including books about children with disabilities is awesome and I‘m glad this is a book you were able to share with us because now I‘ll definitely be picking it up. The resource provide has a mixture of great HOT questions and activities 👍🏽 5y
DrSpalding I made text to text connections with El Deacon after reading your summary! I believe this was a sunshine state reader award choice a couple of years ago. Excellent book selection and wise to use the author‘s website as your resource. 5y
Apeacock12 Such a cute picture!!! I had never heard of this book but it's now on my future library list. I love the discussion prompts in the link you posted - so useful for your future classroom! 5y
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Bklover
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@JoScho Thank you so much for this wonderful surprise! I love the book- it was so much fun to get a package in the mail with a book! (And it looks great!). I‘m not doing any swaps this year so it was a lovely thing to get in the mail. You are so kind! I may read it aloud to my dogs! ❤️❤️❤️

Trashcanman Thank you for your kindness. 6y
JoScho I thought it looked very cute! I hope you and your pups enjoy it 😊❤️ 6y
77 likes2 comments
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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

Timminy is very short, moving to a new town, and starting a new school where his Dad will be the Assistant Principle. Then he meets Maxi, a Great Pyrenees and Maxi teaches him important lessons. He also meets other kids facing their own challenges with bravery and persistence. Expect to be a snotty mess at the end of this one.

gradcat 😭😭😭 6y
47 likes1 comment
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BriannaR
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Pickpick

This RF story follows a boy name Timminy and how he moves to a new town; where he gets bullied and teased all throughout most of the story. Nevertheless, he does makes it through with the help of Maxi, the lovable, big, deaf dog. This would be a wonderful book in the classroom for students to read about who maybe going through the same thing. This book won the FL Sunshine State Award #UCFLAE3414SP18

BriannaR I would use this story as a LC, SR, and GR. UDL Strategy 9.1 and ESOL Strategy #6. This is a link from Lynn Plourder's website that offers a variety of activities to go with each content area http://www.lynnplourde.com/uploads/35/Documents/MAXI'S%20SECRETS%20ACTIVITIES.pd... (edited) 7y
paulettevp I definitely agree with sharing this with students so they can relate to the book. Maybe even recommend to new students right away. I love the word search! (edited) 7y
4 likes2 comments
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kkidwell
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This is an amazing RF novel that became a Sunshine State Young Readers Award finalist. Lynn Plourde creates an exceptional text for IR. This story touches on many topics, including bullying and disabilities. It takes important topics that many middle schoolers deal with and addresses it through humor and its main characters.

kkidwell Maxi‘s Secrets will leave you with mixed feeling. It is perfect for students that are having a difficult time coping with loss, change, or everyday life situations. It easily allows for students to relate to the story and its characters. #UCFLAE3414F17 7y
kkidwell Link: http://www.lynnplourde.com/uploads/35/Documents/MAXI'S%20SECRETS%20ACTIVITIES.pd...
The link includes well developed discussion questions that could be answered during or after the IR. It also includes activities that require researching the disabilities that are discussed in the text.
UDL: 7.2 Optimize relevance, value, and authenticity
ESOL: 36 Ask numerous questions which require higher level thinking responses
7y
JocelynNolton Sounds like an excellent book for middle schoolers with all the bullying going on nowadays. The discussion questions look like they could also be used in a LC so that there could be a healthy discussion amongst the students about the events that took place in the story. 7y
1 like3 comments
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karenna
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I purchased these today to celebrate National Dog Day.

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Rlweasley
Pickpick

This is such a sweet book! I may have cried a bit at the end (yes the dog dies) but it was such a heartwarming story I didn't mind. It did make me miss my fantastic cat, Robbie, though.

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Rlweasley
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Spending a delightful afternoon reading this gem.

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Professornana
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Professornana Must read. Great MG book 8y
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