Max Tried book cover: an illustrated boy in a green jersey balancing on sports balls in a burst of stars

A picture book for ages 4-9

MAX TRIED

Written by Dr. Jodi Mahoney · Illustrated by Ally Toye

⭐ Now available on Amazon!

Max tried soccer. Max tried basketball. Max tried T-ball, baseball, and wrestling. And then Max kept trying, until all of that trying led him to the one thing that was his alone.

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It's not about winning, it's about TRYING...

The Story

From the time he was three years old, all Max wanted was to be part of a team.

Season after season, sport after sport, he showed up, worked hard, and cheered on his teammates, even when the baskets didn't fall, the pitches came too fast, and the other kids seemed to have it all figured out. But Max never stopped trying.

Max Tried is a warm, funny, and deeply encouraging picture book about perseverance, resilience, and the courage to keep showing up. It celebrates every kid who didn't make the podium, didn't win the medal, and was brave enough to be part of something anyway.

Based on the true story of the author's own son, this is a story for every child still searching for their lane. Perfect for young athletes ages 4-9 and for reading aloud at home, in classrooms, and on team benches everywhere.

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Back cover of Max Tried on a desk, showing the tagline and illustrated sports gear
Dr. Jodi Mahoney, author of Max Tried

About the Author

Dr. Jodi Mahoney is a writer, poet, and educator, and Max Tried is her first picture book. She believes deeply in the power of perseverance and grit, because trying will teach you more than simply succeeding ever will.

  • More than 30 years in public education
  • Veteran New Jersey school principal
  • Doctorate in Education, University of Pennsylvania
  • Advocate for children with learning differences

Beyond working in schools, Jodi loves writing, traveling, taking pictures, and making photo books that tell stories. She is married to Kevin and has two amazing children, Max and Olivia, who often inspire her writing.

Also by Jodi Mahoney

Joyful Ways to Teach Poetry to Young Children Scholastic, 2001 Introducing Nonfiction Writing in the Early Grades Scholastic, 2002

Bring Jodi to your school

Author visits, assemblies, and half-day or full-day writing workshops for students and teachers, led by a 30-year educator and the author of Max Tried. Poetry, writing a book, and helping every young writer find the subjects that are theirs alone.

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Occasional news from Jodi: school visit availability, events, and what's next after Max Tried. No spam, ever.