Max Explains Everything: Soccer Expert

In his second story (following Max Explains Everything: Grocery Store Expert), Max—a boy with hair like brown yarn—thinks he’s a soccer aficionado. Readers will observe that Max actually prefers finding insects and four-leaf clovers in the field over playing the game. But Max’s disinterest is no big deal; at the sidelines, the kind, gray-haired coach offers him an orange wedge and the “thousands of fans” (really only a handful) watch from the sidelines. A moment arrives for Max to show he’s got skills after all—but, refreshingly, he’s more interested in the promise of after-game snacks than in making the goal. Max is a relatable hero for readers who like being on the field but whose minds might not be entirely in the game. Ages 4–8. [em](Feb.) [/em]