About the Book
Twelve-year-old David takes his basketball along on summer vacation, hoping to find a court and some friends at the beach community. Whatever happens, he knows that he can count on Max, his grandfather, for good times and lots of laughs. He finds much more. Unexpectedly, David and Max, along with David’s new friend Candy, become caught up in a search for a man Max thought had died in the Holocaust. Slowly, David learns about Max’s terrible years during World War II, information that Max had never intended to tell. As he comes to terms with Max’s horrific memories, David grows to understand more about the meaning of honesty—and about himself.
Awards
A 2007 Skipping Stones Honor Award title in the category of Multicultural & International Awareness Books.
Praise
A good book for all children . . . to gain more understanding of the Holocaust and how it affected their grandparents’ generation.
—Philadelphia Inquirer
Intriguing . . . humorous and lively.
—ALA Booklist
This beautiful book, originally published in 1988, has been newly updated and revised. None of the compelling style of the original edition has been lost . . . . This book is replete with wonderful values of friendship and family and honesty.
—Jewish Book World
David and Max sets a new standard for young fiction. A charming and funny story of a grandfather and grandson woven deftly around a deeper and darker tale . . . sensitive, honest, and all the more powerful for its brave simplicity. This book is a treasure for any middle grade. . . English, social studies or civics classes. Its treatment of poignant and topical issues such as homelessness, divorce, and especially the Holocaust is unparalleled in its age group.
—Mary R. Motew, Adjunct Professor, Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
Gail Provost Stockwell
Gail Provost Stockwell is the National Jewish Book Award and 2007 Skipping Stones Honor Award winning author of David and Max.
She and her late husband, Gary Provost, are the authors of three award-winning novels for children, including Good If It Goes, a winner of the National Jewish Book Award. They created and have taught at nationwide writing seminars and founded the Writers Retreat Workshop.
Gary Provost
