Parents' Guide to

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1: Locker Hero

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Fun middle school adventure perfect for reluctant readers.

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1: Locker Hero Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 9+

If you could give it zero stars...I would...Really, don't bother.... EVER....

What a horrible book! First, it is tedious and taps into every canned stereotype and riddled with the main character's horrible decision making. Bully crams kid into locker, kid won't tell b/c he doesn't want grandmother to be his homeschooling teacher b/c she has not advanced past kindergarten ways, kid has to escape out of his locker when he was locked in there over a three day weekend... at EVERY opportunity to get out, he makes a poor choice. THEN, b/c the story line isn't bad enough, he finally escapes and doesn't leave the school b/c he encounters robbers and a heist of the computer lab equipment -- and then he decides he needs to rescue his dad's comic book...instead of calling the police or leaving the school. We listened to it as a book on tape. AND THERE IS NO END.... seriously.... the story doesn't wrap up with a resolution, it just stops. He is in the school, the buglers are still around, he has a CELL PHONE to call a number of people to help, and then it ends... no resolution and there is NO WAY I would ever have my kids read a book two, if there is a book two, b/c it robs you of brain cells. Just walk away from this book.... poorly written, really bad role model and an absurd story line.
age 13+

Max Crummy (pun intended)

My daughter was scared and cried for days because she didn't know what happened to Max and if the burglars hurt him or not. I'm begging you Rachel, please resolve the situation or my daughter will stop reading your series. She'd like some books where Max is at home and dealing with Oliver and all of that stuff. Or a Brianna crossover.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (3):

This book is an easy read about some funny and not-so-funny misadventures of an eighth-grader who's trying to find his way. He's more vulnerable than many male leads in children's literature, as he has panic attacks and asthma -- a nice touch by author Rachel Renee Russell. It's perfect for fans of the Dork Diaries and reluctant readers, and it ends on a cliffhanger, so readers will be eager to find out how Max's adventure ends.

Book Details

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