Max's+father

//“His father could do anything with a Swiss Army Knife – or any knife, really.” – pg. 43// Make sure to include textual support (examples from the novel).
 * In a paragraph address the following two items**: **1)** Discuss the situation of Max and his father. **2)** Discuss Max’s feelings and opinions about his father.
 * When striving for excellence**: More textual support is always better and you can always mention Max’s other family members: mom, sister, Gary.


 * Team Ira**: Max really believed his dad could do anything. He believed his dad was strong and powerful. Maybe Max needs his dad to be with him and and to protect him, he might even miss him a lot.Max needs someone to understand him and help him and maybe his dad is just that person. Max needs his dad, he probably wishes that his dad could be by his side. Max may also require attention that no one provides for him. Thats probably what Max desires, attention. Max is someone who believes his dad is an all powerful person. I think that is what most children see in their fathers. Max hopes that his father loves him. He says that Max appriciates what his father does because he keeps what his dad makes for him.

Team Katherian : Max really thinks that his dad is the best person around him. Max needs a father figure around him because he feels left out all the time(just not gary)


 * Team Alex**: Max's dad really means alot to him. Max's dad,before his mom and dad got divorced, made Max a bunch of toys that Max really respected.I feel that making these toys is just a hobby for his father, but he really doesn't care for his toys.Thats why Max takes the and cherishes them. Max's dad is strong if he can do anything with a swiss army knife. You would never know if he could cut himself just to make toys for Max,because that would mean alot to Max.

This might be getting off topic, but if I was Max's dad I would understand how he left his mom,because his mom doesn't really have time for her children and when she does she usually is mad at them.She is too self-centered, which gets on my nerves.She needs to spice up a little bit to give attention to her two other children; that's probably why Claire is smoking.


 * bhlspectrum**: You bring up an interesting point Team Alex. One can't help but wonder why Max's parents divorced and your speculations might be right; however, what impact do you think this divorce has had on Max? Additionally, maybe mom is so busy and stressed now because of the divorce and that she is a single mother working and raising two children. Lastly, do you think Max's "father worship" has increased because of the divorce and the fact that he doesn't see his father that much these days? Oh yeah and what about the handful of boyfriends here mom has had, what kind of impact do you think that has on Max and his feelings toward his father (and his feelings of loneliness)? Let's keep it going... I would love to hear from all teams on this one!


 * Team Carol:** **Lakiera's thoughts:** I don't think that we should blame Max's mom for Max feeling alone, or the divorce. Sometimes things just don't work out between people or people get happy and think that they are perfect for each other and are not. Max's father should try to spend more time with Max because he is feeling alone and has no man figure in his life besides Gary who is a major punk and Mr. Beckmann, who he doesn't see on a regular basis. If Max could tell his father how he feels he might come around more often. Another thing is that Max is a little young and kind of immature so he doesn't realize that his mother cant be with him every minute of everyday. She has to help the family to keep going, and being a single mom that can't be easy. Then Gary comes and gives her something she can be happy about, but maybe she is just rushing into a relationship and it will be like her first one with Max's father, which apparently didn't work out.


 * Imani's thoughts:** I think that Max's mom and his sister should both be to blame. I agree with her that Max's father should be more involved in his life because he does really feel lonely and Gary is really not the father figure that Max needs. I disagree about that his should realize that his mother can't be with him every minute because he is a little child and he needs attention.(to be continued)


 * Team Bull:** We think Max is more attached to his father than his mother. Max seems to think his dad is his hero because heros can do anything and by looking at this quote Max thinks his dad can do anything. I wonder if Max went to go live with his dad if he would keep feeling lonely. We agree with Team Alex because instead of his mom spending time with her children she goes on dates with Gary. Max's mom didn't ask for Max's opinion of Gary.


 * Team Judith:** Max and is father(from how he described him) are really close even though his dad doesn't call or visit him very often. Max sees a lot of his dad in his neighbor Mr. Beckmann becuase Max said that they act just alike. Max also likes to brag about how his father used to have a carving knife that he used to use for carving ofcourse