Built to be read together.
Max & Lax is a fast, funny, clean adventure for ages 10–14 — written by a homeschool dad of five for exactly the settings you run: classrooms, libraries, co-ops, book clubs, and family read-alouds.
The free discussion & activity guide.
Three printable pages: discussion questions grouped by reading section (spoiler-safe for groups mid-book), whole-book theme questions — friendship, mercy, trust, identity — and six activities from writing prompts to an improv game. Licensed for photocopying in homes, classrooms, and libraries.
No signup needed. Chapter 1 makes a great read-aloud — it ends on a question your group will argue about.
“I am a retired teacher and always had to pre-read and screen anything I used in the classroom. Max and Lax is squeaky clean and I would have loved to have this available to share with my students!”
— Rod, retired teacher
“I loved it! Where’s book two?”
— Gabe, age 12
Check the content yourself.
Every Dauntless Books title carries the Clean Pledge: no profanity, no sexual content — real stakes, real danger, real courage. Don't take the label's word for it: the first three chapters are free to read on this site, and the author answers content questions directly through the contact page.
Class sets, visits & review copies.
Planning a group read? Use the form below about bulk copies, a virtual or in-person author visit (D.J. reads chapter 3 — the escape), or an early review copy for your library or curriculum list.
Talk to D.J. directly.
Teacher, librarian, or co-op leader? Tell D.J. your group and what you're after — class set, author visit, review copy, or a content question. He answers educators himself, usually within a day or two.