Maximum Boy #02
Dan Greenburg
Maximum Boy #02
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Day Everything Tasted Like Brocolli (Maximum Boy)
by Dan Greenburg
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Max zips through the bustling city streets, cape fluttering behind him, as the Tastemaker's latest scheme spreads a strange flavor that nobody can stand! Tortoise Man hobbles beside him, clutching a mysterious gadget that might just save dinner time everywhere. But will their plan work before the entire world turns its nose up at food forever?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early chapter book follows Max Silver, an 11-year-old superhero known as Maximum Boy, and his elderly companion Tortoise Man as they try to stop a villain who wants to control how all food tastes. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, the story combines humor and action without intense violence or mature themes. Parents can expect light peril and adventure with a focus on friendship and problem-solving.
Why we rated Maximum Boy #02 8LP
Maximum Boy #02 is written at a Level 3 reading level across 96 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Maximum Boy #02 works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Maximum Boy #02 as 8LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Maximum Boy #02 explores adventure, friendship, and humor — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780439219457
- Pages
- 96
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- May 1, 2001
- Type
- Fiction