Max for President

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Max thinks that he would like to be class president.

So does Kelly.

But there can only be one president!

Who will the class elect?

Full of laughs and suspense, Max for President is a lively story of good sportsmanship—and a great way for kids to learn a little about elections, too!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Politics, School

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 13, 2004

About the author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

Reviews

[Emily Towne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Max and Kelly because it shared how it can still be ok if you don’t win. Max is super excited about running for class president and he is the main character in the book. But it is nice to find out that even though he doesn’t win, him and Kelly are still friends and max can still be apart of the fun!

[Jessica Lewers]

This book may be relatable for students because their school may have class presidents too. It could also inspire them to run for classroom president because it is a fun book about two individuals running to be president. It also can inform students how election processes can work.
Age level: 3-7
Lexile level: 990

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute art

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to a group of first graders as an "election" unit book. My pre-read told me this was an instructive and straight-forward, "here's how we vote" book. I was delighted but unprepared for how much the children loved this little story.

Max is running for class president but Kelly also decides to run. Both children make posters and hand out buttons and campaign with their plans to improve the school.

What touched my heart while I read was the little voice that softly said, "I wish they both could win." When is was clear that Max had NOT won, another voice suggested, "He could be vice president," anticipating the direction of the story.

I was honestly moved when the children all clapped and cheered as I finished, when both Max and Kelly work together to make their school a better place. The children are very engaged by Krosoczka's expressive yet simple illustrations. They were clearly drawn to these characters and identified with them.

What a little treasure. This was the first Krosoczka book I've had the honor to read aloud to a class. I cannot wait to read another. Clever lad, that Jarrett.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's time for Max’s class to elect a class president. Max runs for president. So does Kelly. Both of them make posters, and buttons for their classmates to wear, and they both give speeches in which they make promises. Kelly wins. Max is sad. The teacher tells Kelly her first job is to pick a vice president who can help her. She asks Max to be her vice president and he agrees. They begin doing things to help the class.

"Max for president" could be read aloud to the youngest children, but the language is basic enough that slightly older children can read the book for themselves.

As Kelly and Max begin working together at the end of the book, there's an important message about working with the former opposition to bring about a better class environment. Wouldn’t it be nice if real life politicians worked together as Kelly and Max did!

The illustrations are integral to the story. Blue is the predominant color, with highlights of red and white.

This simple story provides a good introduction to how the election process works.

[Cherina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Both Max and Kelly wish to be their class's next president. They both campaign vigorously, making signs, passing out buttons, and making promises. The class votes and selects Kelly to be their new president. Kelly is happy. Max is sad. When it comes time for Kelly to pick a vice president, she chooses Max and the two work very hard together to make their school a better place.

Uses: independent reading for early readers; read-aloud for primary grades (perhaps if students complain about their assigned classroom jobs or close to election time)

Literary Devices: repetition (easy to predict)

Social issues: handling defeat and victory graciously; choosing leaders; working together

Other: Great to use during the fall while the election is going on. This picture book is a good resource to use for demonstrating the strategy of predicting text. Author does a good job at keeping readers in suspense.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max thinks that he would like to be class president. So does Kelly. But there can only be one president! Who will the class elect? Full of laughs and suspense, Max for President is a lively story of good sportsmanship, and a great way for kids to learn a little about elections, too!




Subjects


Elections -- Juvenile fiction.


Sportsmanship -- Juvenile fiction


Schools -- Juvenile fiction

[Kristi Hovington · Rating 4 out of 5]

i got this book because it's about a boy, and with oliver and esme being raised by two women, i think it's important to have men/boys in many of the books we read. Plus, this book is about politics, which i love. anywho. imagine my (happy) surprise when max loses and kelly, the girl, wins the presidency! cute book.

[Danielle Desmarais · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Simple story about a class election.
-Max would love to be class president, but so would Kelly.
-They both try very hard, but Kelly wins. She then asks him to be her Vice President.
-Good story about winning and losing, and also class elections!
-Interesting illustrations

-1st grade reading level.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max for President: embodies a loyal committment to serve the student body. I was impressed by his firm attitude and clear vision; however very few people run unopposed.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Timely for election. Good message about cooperation.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a cute book about not being dissapointed. Max is running for class president but Kelly wins. She then makes him Vice President and everyone is happy.

[Kelly]

I like the big simple illustrations and how the text size changes depending on the number of words on the page and excitement. The hair on the teacher is very "Lunch Lady."

[Bridget]

Personalized to Holden

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max and Kelly are both running for class president. They campaign and make promises. Kelly wins and selects Max as her vice-president.

Cute. Simplistic. Get from library.; don't order.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too simple nothing to really help teach

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the compassion developed through this book... growing beyond competition.