Monday with Maxim
Phylliss DelGreco
Monday with Maxim
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
the amazing Maltese
by Phylliss DelGreco
Illustrated by Smith, Rory, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if a simple handkerchief could turn into a magic scarf? Jessie is trying her best to train Maxim, the mischievous Maltese, to sit — but with magic and a playful pup, nothing goes quite as planned. Will Jessie’s powers be enough to tame Maxim’s wild energy?
Themes
Quick Assessment
"Monday with Maxim" follows Jessie, a young girl with two moms, as she uses her imagination to train her neighbor's dog with a magical scarf. This early reader book is perfect for children ages 5-8 and gently explores themes of family diversity and self-esteem through lighthearted humor and everyday challenges. Parents can expect a fun, inclusive story that celebrates creativity and family bonds without any intense content.
Why we rated Monday with Maxim 7C
Monday with Maxim is written at a Level 2 reading level across 35 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Monday with Maxim works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Monday with Maxim as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Monday with Maxim explores lgbtq+ representation, family, self-esteem, humor, and animals — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about lgbtq+ representation, family, self-esteem.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780615543901
- Pages
- 35
- Publisher
- Jumpskip Productions LLC
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction