Sally J. K. Davies (Children's Literature)
As the title suggests, this chapter book is written as a series of letters sent between a nine-year-old boy named Max and a famous children’s book author, D. J. Lucas. Max has a big imagination but he is also having trouble at school, trouble with his health, trouble with his friends, and trouble writing a story. Max would like to be a writer and his struggles to work on his own story parallels D. J. Lucas’s writing life. Within the touching and humorous letters, they discuss plot, character, elements of a good story, and share important events in each other’s lives. What starts as fan mail evolves into a true friendship. The many illustrations that fill the pages add to the feel of a real correspondence. Some of the letters are handwritten and others look like they were written on a postcard. The story is set in Britain, so some of the language used by the characters might sound a bit strange to an American ear. However, the story of a young boy’s struggle to find his place in the world and his struggle to find his own voice is universal. The same characters appear in Sally Grindley’s book entitled Bravo Max, which is a sequel to Dear Max. 2006, Margaret K. McElderry Book, $14.95. Ages 7 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 11))
Nine-year-old Max strikes up a friendship with his favorite author, D.J. Lucas in this epistolary novel. The letters fly, from January to December, as Max shares his school challenges, family sadness and medical woes. D.J. is a good listener and knows how to respond to a little boy's concerns. And she has her own worries-from her fears over sky-diving to the challenges of writing a novel that does not want to be written. Ross's childlike illustrations dot many of the letters and are a perfect light touch. Grindley stays true to the letter format, asking few probing questions, which let D.J. (and the reader) fill in the unspoken spaces. This should inspire children to write letters to authors-and others in their lives. The friendship that develops is real and honest and sustaining to both child and adult. A tribute to the power of letter-writing and imagination. 2006, McElderry, 144p, $14.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 6 to 9. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Betsy Ruffin (Library Media Connection, February 2007)
While physical problems and bully issues plague Max, he begins a correspondence with author D.J. Lucas. As the letters continue, readers learn of Max's life and problems, which include an unnamed physical ailment that has stunted his growth and his dealings with the class bully. He and Lucas also discuss their writing, with the author giving guidance to Max as he writes a story. Max responds with suggestions as Lucas works on her next book. In the end, Max has an operation, which will allow him to grow more normally, and he stands up to the bully with help from a scene in the first book he had read by Lucas. Both authors finish their stories and share them with each other. Reminiscent of Dear Mr. Henshaw (Morrow (HarperCollins), 1983), the letters between the boy and the author tell the story. Pictures and cards from the two are also included. Though set in England, the themes are universal and no particular Briticisms are used that would interfere with comprehension. The writing tips included could be used as part of a reading-writing connection for the story. The elements of bullying also would be a good discussion starter. Recommended. 2006, Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 144pp., $14.95 hc. Ages 7 to 10.