The Horn Book Guide

OLDER FICTION

Bechard, Margaret

Hanging On to Max

145 pp. May, 2002 | Trade ISBN 0-7613-1579-9 $$15.95 | Library ISBN 0-7613-2574-3 $$22.90

(2) YA Sam, a single teenage father, stumbles through the fog of new parenthood, determined to take responsibility for his infant son, Max. Bechard effectively conveys Sam's perspective, neither sugarcoating his bond with Max nor using him as a "poster child for the dangers of teenage sex." A brief epilogue hints that everything works out for the best; still, it doesn't negate Sam's bravery when he ultimately decides to give Max up for adoption.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2002