Big Game Jitters

by L. M. Nicodemo

illustrated by Graham Ross

The Super Fidgets leave Max jumping up and down during the championship soccer game against the school bully's team.

Meet Maximus Todd! He's the kid who can't sit still! It's the soccer championship and Max's team is playing the school bully's team. Of course, as soon as the match starts, Max gets a case of the Super Fidgets. If Max can't invent a secret game to calm them, it might cost his team the championship.

Max finds that while it's not always easy being a kid — especially if you're a bit different — there is often humour, kindness and love in the most unexpected places.

About the Authors

L. M. Nicodemo
L. M. Nicodemo
Graham Ross
Graham Ross

L. M. NICODEMO is a school teacher who hopes that this series will mark the beginning of a long and joyful career in writing. She lives with her family in southwestern Ontario

GRAHAM ROSS is an illustrator and designer who has illustrated many books for a wide range of Canadian childrens book publishers. He lives in a log home in the woods with his family just outside of Merrickville, Ontario.

Reviews

"With a quirky main character and a relatable plot of childhood mishaps, Big Game Jitters is a pleasing read for young readers who are moving away from picture books and into short novels with chapters.

Featuring fun artwork and typography, this engaging early chapter book is sure to please. The simple yet effective black and white illustrations by Graham Ross help bring the characters and major plot points to life. Although some readers may yearn for a colour edition, the simplicity of the drawings allows the story to be the standout and helps emphasize that Maximus Todd could be any student, of any race or ethnic background, in any school.

Part of a larger series, Big Game Jitters offers not only a glimpse into being the kid who is a little bit different, but it also exemplifies authentic friendships offering compassion, kindness and understanding. Readers are certain to not only like Maximus Todd but also develop a genuine empathy for those who struggle in ways that aren't always apparent at first glance.

Recommended."

Amy Westbury,, CM Magazine

"The target audience will surely have no trouble relating to the storylines. The blend of fun graphics by Graham Ross, with varying sizes and designs of text in the quickly paced 96 pages, will be appealing to both beginning and reluctant readers.

The series is written by a teacher who clearly has insight into the mind of a child who feels the type of anxiety that Max does, presumably because she has encountered some throughout her career. While it may be rare to have a child as young as Max display the self-awareness and strength of will that he does, perhaps these books will serve as inspiration to children facing the same difficulties with their own Super Fidgets.

The four books were published concurrently for Formac's First Novels Series, in a format that should prove to be attractive to young readers."

Resource Links

Awards

Best Books for Kids & Teens -- Canadian Children's Book Centre
2017

Subjects (BISAC)

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