Summary:
This book was about how animals communicate and work together for the betterment of the group they live in.
Personal Reaction:
I had 3 prairie dogs for pets and they loved to play and talk, but what like liked about them the most is they were very protective of the pack, which included me. Whenever someone came into the house they would give the danger alarm to warn me and the others of the pack.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children tell of a time when they saw animals working together.
2. Ask the kids if they have pets do they think their pet is a team player.
This book was about how animals communicate and work together for the betterment of the group they live in.
Personal Reaction:
I had 3 prairie dogs for pets and they loved to play and talk, but what like liked about them the most is they were very protective of the pack, which included me. Whenever someone came into the house they would give the danger alarm to warn me and the others of the pack.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children tell of a time when they saw animals working together.
2. Ask the kids if they have pets do they think their pet is a team player.
Summary:
This book was dinosaurs, it showed how to pronounce the names of the dinosaurs correctly, and told what they ate.
Personal Reaction:
I think every little boy has a fascination with dinosaurs. I haven’t proved my theory but I believe it’s genetic.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the class draw their favorite dinosaur.
2. Have the children write a story about the dinosaur they drew.
This book was dinosaurs, it showed how to pronounce the names of the dinosaurs correctly, and told what they ate.
Personal Reaction:
I think every little boy has a fascination with dinosaurs. I haven’t proved my theory but I believe it’s genetic.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the class draw their favorite dinosaur.
2. Have the children write a story about the dinosaur they drew.
Summary:
This book was about a baseball team made up of 12 brothers in the 1920s. The Acerras brothers loved to play baseball and ultimately made history when their team was inducted in The Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.
Personal Reaction:
I loved playing baseball when I was a child and to my recollection it was the only sport I was good at.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Ask the children to name some of their favorite baseball players.
2. Have the children play catch with a waffle ball in the classroom.
This book was about a baseball team made up of 12 brothers in the 1920s. The Acerras brothers loved to play baseball and ultimately made history when their team was inducted in The Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.
Personal Reaction:
I loved playing baseball when I was a child and to my recollection it was the only sport I was good at.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Ask the children to name some of their favorite baseball players.
2. Have the children play catch with a waffle ball in the classroom.
Summary:
This book was of a Thai lullaby about a mother going through her village trying to get all of the animals to stop making noise because her baby was sleeping, but after she had gotten all the animals to stop making noise and she fell asleep her baby woke up.
Personal Reaction:
I’m sure any mother that has worked hard to get her baby to sleep and relate to the frustration this mother must have been facing.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children make the sound each animal was making when the mother was trying to get them to be quiet.
This book was of a Thai lullaby about a mother going through her village trying to get all of the animals to stop making noise because her baby was sleeping, but after she had gotten all the animals to stop making noise and she fell asleep her baby woke up.
Personal Reaction:
I’m sure any mother that has worked hard to get her baby to sleep and relate to the frustration this mother must have been facing.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children make the sound each animal was making when the mother was trying to get them to be quiet.
Summary:
This book was about a librarian in Iraq who loved books so much that during a time of war she and her friends risk their lives to save the books from destruction.
Personal Reaction:
I was moved that a person could feel so strongly about anything that they were willing to die to save it. This book showed me that we need to hold on tightly to our history, stories, and ideas that are in written form for the generations that will come after we are gone.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children tell their classmates about a book they enjoy reading or have read to them.
2. Ask the children if they understand what war is and how it can change the lives of the people involved.
This book was about a librarian in Iraq who loved books so much that during a time of war she and her friends risk their lives to save the books from destruction.
Personal Reaction:
I was moved that a person could feel so strongly about anything that they were willing to die to save it. This book showed me that we need to hold on tightly to our history, stories, and ideas that are in written form for the generations that will come after we are gone.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children tell their classmates about a book they enjoy reading or have read to them.
2. Ask the children if they understand what war is and how it can change the lives of the people involved.
Summary:
This was a book of poems that described everyday occurrences in a small African American neighborhood.
Personal Reaction:
Being that I’m African American and grew up in a similar neighborhood I could relate on a personal level with all the poems in this book.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children write poems about their neighborhood.
2. Have the children view the illustrations in the book and write what they see happening in the drawings.
This was a book of poems that described everyday occurrences in a small African American neighborhood.
Personal Reaction:
Being that I’m African American and grew up in a similar neighborhood I could relate on a personal level with all the poems in this book.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children write poems about their neighborhood.
2. Have the children view the illustrations in the book and write what they see happening in the drawings.
Summary:
This was the story of a young boy whose whole life revolved around looking out the window of his parent’s brownstone apartment window people watching. One day he noticed a man moving into an apartment that had been vacant. The man turned out to be a Jazz musician. The boy loved to hear the man play music with his friends. Shortly after the man moved into the apartment the boy’s mother left home and his father vanished leaving the boy alone. The neighbors brought food to the boy but he would not open the door to let them in. The boy became scared and lonely after a while and left the apartment in search of food and his parents. When all looked loss the boy a woke in his bed and realized it had all been a dream.
Personal Reaction:
This book was real confusing to me I’m assuming that the boy woke up in his bed to see his parents because that’s where the story ends, but it also seem like he could’ve died and the vision of his parents was just that a vision.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Play Jazz music for the class.
2. Have the children make cutouts of windows and tell the rest of the class what they see through their windows.
This was the story of a young boy whose whole life revolved around looking out the window of his parent’s brownstone apartment window people watching. One day he noticed a man moving into an apartment that had been vacant. The man turned out to be a Jazz musician. The boy loved to hear the man play music with his friends. Shortly after the man moved into the apartment the boy’s mother left home and his father vanished leaving the boy alone. The neighbors brought food to the boy but he would not open the door to let them in. The boy became scared and lonely after a while and left the apartment in search of food and his parents. When all looked loss the boy a woke in his bed and realized it had all been a dream.
Personal Reaction:
This book was real confusing to me I’m assuming that the boy woke up in his bed to see his parents because that’s where the story ends, but it also seem like he could’ve died and the vision of his parents was just that a vision.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Play Jazz music for the class.
2. Have the children make cutouts of windows and tell the rest of the class what they see through their windows.
Summary
This was the story of a young man’s desire to become a great pearl diver, face his fears of a great sea beast, and come to terms over the loss of his father. By the end of the story Ramon Salazar had found the Pearl of Heaven, came face to face with Manta Diablo, and learned the truth about how his father lost his life.
Personal Reaction:
We all have fears and goals we would like to achieve but as sad as it is to say we all do not have the drive Ramon Salazar had to achieve those goals or face our fears.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the class tell what they are fearful of.
2. Have the children share what they do to live with those fears.
This was the story of a young man’s desire to become a great pearl diver, face his fears of a great sea beast, and come to terms over the loss of his father. By the end of the story Ramon Salazar had found the Pearl of Heaven, came face to face with Manta Diablo, and learned the truth about how his father lost his life.
Personal Reaction:
We all have fears and goals we would like to achieve but as sad as it is to say we all do not have the drive Ramon Salazar had to achieve those goals or face our fears.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the class tell what they are fearful of.
2. Have the children share what they do to live with those fears.
Summary:
This is a picturebook of a rhyme about a little girl and her aunt who both seen to be of black or Hispanic heritage. Each verse of the rhyme tells of a different place the aunt has visited and the gift she brought the little girl from that place. The last verse tells of the next place the aunt will visit but this time she will take the little girl with her.
Personal Reaction:
This book reminded me of my travels and how my nieces and nephews reacted when I would came home with gifts for them.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Point out the different places the aunt visited on a globe to the children.
2. Show the children pictures of the types of gifts the aunt brought her niece.
3. Ask the children to tell about the different places they have visited.
This is a picturebook of a rhyme about a little girl and her aunt who both seen to be of black or Hispanic heritage. Each verse of the rhyme tells of a different place the aunt has visited and the gift she brought the little girl from that place. The last verse tells of the next place the aunt will visit but this time she will take the little girl with her.
Personal Reaction:
This book reminded me of my travels and how my nieces and nephews reacted when I would came home with gifts for them.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Point out the different places the aunt visited on a globe to the children.
2. Show the children pictures of the types of gifts the aunt brought her niece.
3. Ask the children to tell about the different places they have visited.
Summary:
This book is a simple explanation of how our country’s flag came about and why there is 50 stars and thirteen stripes.
Personal Reaction:
I guess because most of my life up to this point was spent serving our country as a soldier I believe every child should have to read this book as soon as they are able to read.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Bring examples of the different designs for the flag.
2. Have the children put together puzzles of the flag.
3. Ask the children what they think of when they see the flag.
This book is a simple explanation of how our country’s flag came about and why there is 50 stars and thirteen stripes.
Personal Reaction:
I guess because most of my life up to this point was spent serving our country as a soldier I believe every child should have to read this book as soon as they are able to read.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Bring examples of the different designs for the flag.
2. Have the children put together puzzles of the flag.
3. Ask the children what they think of when they see the flag.
Summary:
This was an outstanding classic book. I can’t believe I’ve never read it before. This story start off on Christmas morning and a young boy who received a stuffed rabbit. He played with the rabbit for a time but soon forgot about it. One day he needed a sleeping companion and his nanny brought the rabbit in to keep him company and from that point he and the Rabbit became very close. The boy became sick and the family believed they had to burn everything that was in the bed with the boy. A fairy came down and turn the stuffed Rabbit into a real rabbit on day after the boy was well he was the rabbit and believed the real rabbit looked like the stuffed rabbit he once had.
Personal Reaction:
This is a wonderful story that makes a person believe if you wish and pray hard enough anything is possible.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Bring some rabbits to the class and let the kids name them.
2. Have the children draw their own special rabbit.
This was an outstanding classic book. I can’t believe I’ve never read it before. This story start off on Christmas morning and a young boy who received a stuffed rabbit. He played with the rabbit for a time but soon forgot about it. One day he needed a sleeping companion and his nanny brought the rabbit in to keep him company and from that point he and the Rabbit became very close. The boy became sick and the family believed they had to burn everything that was in the bed with the boy. A fairy came down and turn the stuffed Rabbit into a real rabbit on day after the boy was well he was the rabbit and believed the real rabbit looked like the stuffed rabbit he once had.
Personal Reaction:
This is a wonderful story that makes a person believe if you wish and pray hard enough anything is possible.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Bring some rabbits to the class and let the kids name them.
2. Have the children draw their own special rabbit.
Summary:
This book gave great visuals of the journey Noah, his family, and all the animals endured to ensure we would be here today.
Personal Reaction:
I love to believe that all the animals we see today or dissidents of Noah’s cargo.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children cutout small animals and place them on a ship.
2. Ask the children to name some of the animals that they believe were on the ship.
This book gave great visuals of the journey Noah, his family, and all the animals endured to ensure we would be here today.
Personal Reaction:
I love to believe that all the animals we see today or dissidents of Noah’s cargo.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children cutout small animals and place them on a ship.
2. Ask the children to name some of the animals that they believe were on the ship.
Summary:
The story was of a young Caucasian boy living in Africa where his parents worked. He loved Africa and felt like it was the only home he’d known, his nanny and all his friends were there. When his parents told him they were moving back to America and leavening the land he called home he was sad. They were in America for a short time and the boy missed Africa and his friends very much when he father told him he found another job in Africa he was happy once again to the land he called home.
Personal Reaction:
I loved that this little boy loved Africa and he wanted to do and live as his friends and nanny. Even when he was back in America his life was easier but he wanted to return to Africa any way.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Present a globe to the class and show them where Africa is located.
2. Show the class picture of an African village and how the people live day to day.
The story was of a young Caucasian boy living in Africa where his parents worked. He loved Africa and felt like it was the only home he’d known, his nanny and all his friends were there. When his parents told him they were moving back to America and leavening the land he called home he was sad. They were in America for a short time and the boy missed Africa and his friends very much when he father told him he found another job in Africa he was happy once again to the land he called home.
Personal Reaction:
I loved that this little boy loved Africa and he wanted to do and live as his friends and nanny. Even when he was back in America his life was easier but he wanted to return to Africa any way.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Present a globe to the class and show them where Africa is located.
2. Show the class picture of an African village and how the people live day to day.
Summary:
This book is about a small world inhabited by a group of furry creatures called Wumps. The Wumps lived in peace on their small garden planet until one day they heard a loud noise coming from the sky. They all ran out to see what it was and some strange ships were landing on their planet. The Wumps were scared so they ran and hid in a cave. From the ships emerged a race of people called the Pollutians who were in search of a new planet to inhabit because they destroyed theirs though excessive wasteful living. The leader of the Pollutians looked around and saw that the planet was a good place to settle so he called out his big machines to begin building. They started building and building until the planet was covered with highways, factories, skyscrapers, cars, and homes. Before they knew it the Pollutians had fouled the air polluted the water and was unhappy in their new home. The leader sent out ships to look for a new planet. One returned with good news for the Pollutians so they all boarded theirs ship and took off into the sky. After a while the Wumps realized they were gone and came out of hiding. They looked around and were shocked at what they saw. They could not find any clean water or the grasses they use to enjoy eating, so they began to walk and search finally they found a patch of the sweet grass they loved and some clean water. They knew after a while the grasses would grow back, the water would become clean again, and the building would crumble was show more long as the Pollutians stayed away.
Personal Reaction:
Destruction of our own planet is the worst thing we’ve ever done and continue to do as a people.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children recycle for a week and tell the class what they done.
2. Show a short video of how recycling can help the planet. show less
This book is about a small world inhabited by a group of furry creatures called Wumps. The Wumps lived in peace on their small garden planet until one day they heard a loud noise coming from the sky. They all ran out to see what it was and some strange ships were landing on their planet. The Wumps were scared so they ran and hid in a cave. From the ships emerged a race of people called the Pollutians who were in search of a new planet to inhabit because they destroyed theirs though excessive wasteful living. The leader of the Pollutians looked around and saw that the planet was a good place to settle so he called out his big machines to begin building. They started building and building until the planet was covered with highways, factories, skyscrapers, cars, and homes. Before they knew it the Pollutians had fouled the air polluted the water and was unhappy in their new home. The leader sent out ships to look for a new planet. One returned with good news for the Pollutians so they all boarded theirs ship and took off into the sky. After a while the Wumps realized they were gone and came out of hiding. They looked around and were shocked at what they saw. They could not find any clean water or the grasses they use to enjoy eating, so they began to walk and search finally they found a patch of the sweet grass they loved and some clean water. They knew after a while the grasses would grow back, the water would become clean again, and the building would crumble was show more long as the Pollutians stayed away.
Personal Reaction:
Destruction of our own planet is the worst thing we’ve ever done and continue to do as a people.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children recycle for a week and tell the class what they done.
2. Show a short video of how recycling can help the planet. show less
Summary
This book is the story of a boy who found himself feeling like an outcast, none of the kids would play with him even his own parents thought he was a little odd. After completing a summer project where he created his own society, language, crop, and clothing he finally felt comfortable in his own skin and all the people around him began to realize what a creatively special person he was.
Personal Reaction:
I know exactly how Wesley felt. When I was in school I was a strangely awkward young man and had very few friends. Once I joined the Army and met different people I realized there were more people in the world that enjoyed the same things I did and were just as awkward.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the class create their own language.
2. Have the children make paper dolls with clothing they would be wearing in their own society.
This book is the story of a boy who found himself feeling like an outcast, none of the kids would play with him even his own parents thought he was a little odd. After completing a summer project where he created his own society, language, crop, and clothing he finally felt comfortable in his own skin and all the people around him began to realize what a creatively special person he was.
Personal Reaction:
I know exactly how Wesley felt. When I was in school I was a strangely awkward young man and had very few friends. Once I joined the Army and met different people I realized there were more people in the world that enjoyed the same things I did and were just as awkward.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the class create their own language.
2. Have the children make paper dolls with clothing they would be wearing in their own society.
Summary
Little Rabbit ask his mother a number of questions about if she had a wish what would she change about him. In the end she tells him “I wish for you to be yourself” “because I love you just the way you are.”
Personal Reaction
I remember being a child and trying so hard to be the son I thought my mother wanted me to be. Little did I know at the time she accepted me just as I was.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Ask the children if they had a wish what would they change about their parents or siblings.
2. Have the children to explain why they believe Rabbit thought his mom wanted to change something about him.
Little Rabbit ask his mother a number of questions about if she had a wish what would she change about him. In the end she tells him “I wish for you to be yourself” “because I love you just the way you are.”
Personal Reaction
I remember being a child and trying so hard to be the son I thought my mother wanted me to be. Little did I know at the time she accepted me just as I was.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Ask the children if they had a wish what would they change about their parents or siblings.
2. Have the children to explain why they believe Rabbit thought his mom wanted to change something about him.
Summary
The Emperor held a contest to choose his successor. The contest was to see who could grow the best flower in 1 year with seeds provided by the Emperor. All the children of the province were assembled and given their seeds. 1 year later they all returned with pots containing beautiful flowers all except Ping, his pot was empty. When the Emperor asked him what happen he said as hard as he tried he couldn’t get the plan to grow. The Emperor then announced that the seeds he had given each child had been cooked and could not have grown and because of his honesty the Emperor made Ping his successor.
Personal Reaction
I enjoyed this book because any child reading it would take away the understanding that telling the hard truth is more rewarding than telling an easy lie.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the kids tell a story about a similar situation they were in.
2. Have the children bring in plants from home and tell their fellow class mates about the plant.
The Emperor held a contest to choose his successor. The contest was to see who could grow the best flower in 1 year with seeds provided by the Emperor. All the children of the province were assembled and given their seeds. 1 year later they all returned with pots containing beautiful flowers all except Ping, his pot was empty. When the Emperor asked him what happen he said as hard as he tried he couldn’t get the plan to grow. The Emperor then announced that the seeds he had given each child had been cooked and could not have grown and because of his honesty the Emperor made Ping his successor.
Personal Reaction
I enjoyed this book because any child reading it would take away the understanding that telling the hard truth is more rewarding than telling an easy lie.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the kids tell a story about a similar situation they were in.
2. Have the children bring in plants from home and tell their fellow class mates about the plant.
Summary
This book was a tale of the Ciguapas a magical people who lived under the water. The Ciguapas looked just like the people who lived on the land except that their feet pointed to the rear. This was so the land people couldn’t follow their tracks to find out where they lived. One day a young adventurous Ciguapas and was caught by a family that thought she had hurt herself and twisted her ankles badly. The people were nice to her and she realized that all the land dwellers were not all bad.
Personal Reaction
I enjoyed he story I seemed strange to me that they wouldn’t just go on land and introduce themselves and see what would happen.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children tell what they would do if they met a Ciguapas.
2. Have the children tell what would they have done if they were a Ciguapas.
This book was a tale of the Ciguapas a magical people who lived under the water. The Ciguapas looked just like the people who lived on the land except that their feet pointed to the rear. This was so the land people couldn’t follow their tracks to find out where they lived. One day a young adventurous Ciguapas and was caught by a family that thought she had hurt herself and twisted her ankles badly. The people were nice to her and she realized that all the land dwellers were not all bad.
Personal Reaction
I enjoyed he story I seemed strange to me that they wouldn’t just go on land and introduce themselves and see what would happen.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children tell what they would do if they met a Ciguapas.
2. Have the children tell what would they have done if they were a Ciguapas.
Summary
This book was the story of a man’s grandfather and his travels to the United States. He met lots of different people, saw landscapes, and grew to love California where he decided to live for a while.
Personal Reaction
This story reminds me of my father when he was a young man he joined the Navy and traveled the world and met many different types of people.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children bring in a picture of someone they admire in their family and have them tell the class a little about that person.
2. Have the children tell the class about places they’ve visited.
This book was the story of a man’s grandfather and his travels to the United States. He met lots of different people, saw landscapes, and grew to love California where he decided to live for a while.
Personal Reaction
This story reminds me of my father when he was a young man he joined the Navy and traveled the world and met many different types of people.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children bring in a picture of someone they admire in their family and have them tell the class a little about that person.
2. Have the children tell the class about places they’ve visited.
Summary
This was a great book it compared our relationship with God with that of the family pet and showed how regardless of what we do in life both will love us anyway.
Personal Reaction
I had a Boxer mix he died young from a disease I’ve never heard of but he loved my unconditionally. Whenever I came home from work he would jump up on me and lick me until his tongue couldn’t move anymore.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the kids tell a story about their family pet.
2. Have the children draw a picture of how the book made them feel.
This was a great book it compared our relationship with God with that of the family pet and showed how regardless of what we do in life both will love us anyway.
Personal Reaction
I had a Boxer mix he died young from a disease I’ve never heard of but he loved my unconditionally. Whenever I came home from work he would jump up on me and lick me until his tongue couldn’t move anymore.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the kids tell a story about their family pet.
2. Have the children draw a picture of how the book made them feel.
Summary
This was a story of friendship and the extent one friend would go for another. Despite the outcome and dilemma the help Rabbit gave caused Mouse knew it came from a place of caring.
Personal Reaction
I understand Rabbit’s desire to help his friend when I watch my own son playing with his friends if one starts crying or loses a toy he goes out of his way to try to make things better. Most of the time his going out of his way is getting me involved, but at least he thinks about what he’s going to do unlike Rabbit.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Bring a rabbit and a mouse to the class to represent the characters in the book.
2. Ask the class to come up with alternate ideas on how they would’ve helped Mouse get his plane out of the tree.
3. Have the class come up with dialog of what they think the other animals might have been thinking or might have said to Mouse and Rabbit if giving the chance.
This was a story of friendship and the extent one friend would go for another. Despite the outcome and dilemma the help Rabbit gave caused Mouse knew it came from a place of caring.
Personal Reaction
I understand Rabbit’s desire to help his friend when I watch my own son playing with his friends if one starts crying or loses a toy he goes out of his way to try to make things better. Most of the time his going out of his way is getting me involved, but at least he thinks about what he’s going to do unlike Rabbit.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Bring a rabbit and a mouse to the class to represent the characters in the book.
2. Ask the class to come up with alternate ideas on how they would’ve helped Mouse get his plane out of the tree.
3. Have the class come up with dialog of what they think the other animals might have been thinking or might have said to Mouse and Rabbit if giving the chance.
Summary
Max took on the persona of a wolf running wild free when he put on his costume. When his mom called him Wild Thing he snapped at her and found himself in his room without dinner. Despite his situation his situation he still felt in charge like a king until he became hungry and lonely.
Personal Reaction
I have my own little 3 year old wild thing at home. He’s not a wolf though he’s Spiderman the destroyer of anything breakable.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children dress up in costumes and play the role of the Wild Things.
2. Help come up with ideas of things Max could’ve done during his long boat rides.
3. Help solve the mystery of why Max’s dinner was still warm after years away from home.
Max took on the persona of a wolf running wild free when he put on his costume. When his mom called him Wild Thing he snapped at her and found himself in his room without dinner. Despite his situation his situation he still felt in charge like a king until he became hungry and lonely.
Personal Reaction
I have my own little 3 year old wild thing at home. He’s not a wolf though he’s Spiderman the destroyer of anything breakable.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have the children dress up in costumes and play the role of the Wild Things.
2. Help come up with ideas of things Max could’ve done during his long boat rides.
3. Help solve the mystery of why Max’s dinner was still warm after years away from home.