Diary of a Maxed-Out Kid by Max Candee

Maxim has a crush on an impossible girl and suddenly becomes the target of the local bully.  Why can't school be simple?

The author of this book shared it with me for review (thank you).  It has been published so you can get a copy now.

I liked how the story was presented and how Max overcame his challenges.  He doesn't want to get in a fight with Tolik but he also doesn't want him bullying his friend Alex or his crush Tanya.  It's his good luck that Tanya wants him to do volunteer work and donate the funds to those in need.  Alex is almost bad luck because he comes up with all these off the wall ideas and talks him into them.

This is about growing up and dealing with adversity and first love.  Max finds out he's stronger than he thinks he is because he doesn't back down and he doesn't give up.  I especially liked his Grandpa.  He listens to the boy and gives him a bit of advice here and there.  He doesn't tell him what to do and he doesn't mention anything they talked about to his parents.  He's Max's safe place.

Max is on his journey to adulthood and the trip has just started.  There will be more in this series.  I could relate to the story and I'm sure most school children will recognize the problems.  This is great for middle grades.