The frustrations that accompany a young teen having to take on significant family responsibilities are palpable in this realistic novel. Since the sudden death of Max's father, his mother has become too absorbed in her depression to do anything but go to her jobs, sleep, or mourn. Max becomes responsible for grocery shopping, cooking, and st daunting ring for his developmentally disabled older brother, Duncan. Max has to give up being a reliable member of the pickup hockey games he and his best friend, Ian, play and feels crushed by the weight of having no reliable adult guidance for himself as well as for Duncan. Greer tells this story with genuine empathy as Max copes with his mom and brother, protects Duncan from a local bully, and sneaks in some fun with Ian. The resolution may be quick but is not too pat for credibility. Another fine entry in the Orca Currents line that will engage reluctant readers without talking down to them or sounding stilted.

After their father's death, their mom becomes depressed, and twelve-year-old Max finds himself taking care of his older brother Duncan, who has some unspecified special needs. Reluctant readers will be drawn to the sports story (Max plays hockey) and will easily engage with the family's difficulties and the believable bullying conflict in this well-written novel.

GREER, Daphne . Maxed Out . 114p. ISBN 978-1-55469-982-7 ; ISBN 978-1-55469-981-0 . ea vol: (Orca Currents). Orca . 2012. PLB $16.95; pap. $9.95. Gr 510 In the first hi/lo book, Don Hogg's uncle offers $10 an hour to help hand out samples of his new fiber-rich hot dogs at a food fair, and the 15-year-old can't wait to sign up. His dream of popularity becomes endangered, however, when he realizes that he must wear an ugly hot-dog costume. When a beautiful girl named Brooke comes to him for help in getting away from a stalker, Don can't wait to jump in and save the day. Then a ring of pickpockets starts targeting people, and he can't help but wonder if Brooke's problem and the pickpockets are somehow connected. The characters are well developed, and the interesting plot has a lot of twists and turns that are easy to follow. This short, funny story will appeal to reluctant readers. The second book focuses on Max, who loves to play hockey, particularly with his dad. It was their passion, their bonding time, and their stress reliever. Now his dad is dead, and his distant mother won't even talk about his father. Every time he mentions playing with his team again, she makes some vague excuse about why it won't work. Forced to look after his special-needs brother after school, Max wonders if he'll ever be able to play hockey again. Although Max's character is a little one-dimensional, and the singular plot is a little drawn out in places, the boy's relationship with his family will hold readers' attention. This book would make a good purchase for large libraries or those that have heavily used reluctant-reader collections. Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT