"David and Max"by Gary Provost and Gail Provost Stockwell

Reviews

“David and Max gives insight into Jewish-American culture, history, values and humor. The book is full of rich characters whether they are warm, wise, playful or eccentric. I most enjoyed Max with his colorful dialect and admonition that, "Your heart must be filled with only good things." Max's mischevious natrue and life-affirming fascination with people is particularly appealing as horrific events in his past are revealed. This book was right up my alley. I recommend it to readers with a wide variety of interests: basketball, mystery, history, travel, art, self-discovery, and more!”
— C. Black, Skipping Stones - A Multicultural Magazine

“DAVID AND MAX sets a new standard for young fiction. A charming and funny story of a grandfather and grandson woven deftly around a deeper and darker tale. Its treatment of Holocaust issues is sensitive, honest, and all the more powerful for its brave simplicity. This book is a treasure for any middle grade classroom.”
— Mary R. Motew, English Department, Worcester State College

“Radiating through the fast-paced mystery and softening its sharp-edged realities is the warm relationship between David and Max, whose mutual affection reads with refreshing naturalness in this age of long distance, extended families, and generation gaps. Intriguing... humorous... lively.”
– Starred Review, Booklist

“Against a multifaceted backdrop of basketball, Jewish-Christian relationships, first crush, a mystery, death and even the plight of the homeless, David eventually learns the details of Max Levene's Holocaust tragedies and that his grandmother is really his step-grandmother. He becomes a catalyst for truth-telling and catharsis, but equally crucial is his discovery that while truth is important, a person's way of handling difficulties must be respected, for it may be the best solution in a world that is not black and white, but gray... Readers will remain interested because of the chatty, humorous ways of the title duo.”
— Publisher's Weekly

“The relationship between an aging grandfather and a twelve year old grandson is the setting for defining the Holocaust in terms a pre-teen can understand... explored on many levels of sharing and communicating. There are all too few books of this type and this one is a gem.”
— Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)

“. . . eloquently and thoughtfully portrays the relationship between a modern, ‘regular kind of kid,’ named David, and his aging grandfather Max. Brilliantly interwoven by this husband and wife team of authors is the Holocaust, especially as grandfather Max and his friend B.B. lived through it... this novel also serves to gently and supportively help children deal with the death of loved ones, especially older grandparents.”
— Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

“As young David slowly learns the full meaning behind the numbers tattooed on his grandfather’s arm, he also learns a great deal about himself, love, and friendship. Touching and well-written, this book makes the tragedy of World War II real for middle school students and early teens.”
— New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)

“...a credit to the authors, who balance seriousness with fun and lace tragedy with meaning. They do not flinch from the Holocaust’s terror as Max shares his past with his grandson, nor do they trivialize David’s reaction. David and Max tells the story of a rare friendship even as it answers questions that many young readers are too timorous to ask.”
— Hadassah Magazine

“This beautiful book, originally published in 1988, has been newly updated and revised... None of the compelling style of the original has been lost... repleat with wonderful values of friendship and family and honesty, and serves as an introduction for preteens to this horrific period in Jewish history. The revised edition has several updates, which succeed in making the story more appealing to contemporary readers... Highly recommended for ages 10-13.”
— Jewish Book World

“David and Max, updated for a new generation and now available through the Jewish Publication Society in a new edition, will grace anyone’s library, regardless of age, creed, color or culture. It is a call for awareness, for justice and decency. Stark sometimes, often whimsically humorous yet bold in its purpose, the story of David and Max will resonate in the hearts and minds of readers long after they close the book.”
— James M. Bellarosa, Author