D.J. Dawson · Book 1

MAX&LAX

Name: Max & Lax
Author: D.J. Dawson
ISBN: 9798186849032

He almost died, but he doesn’t remember. He’s wanted by the FBI, but he doesn’t know why. And now a wisecracking voice in his head is telling him to run and his body is doing acrobatics without his permission. Just another day in the life of a boy named Max and his new built-in best buddy, Lax.

For fans of Percy Jackson, Spy School, and Michael Vey.

Start reading free

Coming August 2026 Ages 10–14 One-sitting page-turner Free discussion guide Squeaky clean

Coming Soon

What you're getting into

Two minds. One body. Zero chill.

There's a voice in his head

Meet Lax: a spark of pure electric attitude in a superhero suit, and only Max can see him. He cracks jokes. He gives orders nobody asked for. He swears he saved Max's life, but he's fuzzy on the details. He is not good at being imaginary.

Who's driving this thing?

Max says duck. Lax says backflip off the roof. Max wants answers, a nap, and a very low profile. Lax wants dramatic entrances, sound effects, and possibly a cape. Whoever's driving wins, and they almost never agree.

Everyone wants in

A crooked FBI agent chasing a payday. A shadowy crew picking through the ashes of a burned-out warehouse, hunting whatever walked out of it alive. And Max, who just wants to remember his own name.

Built to be finished

The book your reluctant reader actually finishes.

Short chapters that end on cliff-hangers. Banter on every page. Movie-sized action: a hospital breakout, a superhero landing nobody planned, a chase across the whole city. It reads fast because it moves fast. And it's fun for the whole family: the grown-ups reading along get just as hooked as the kids.

29 short chapters Read in a weekend Laugh-out-loud funny Fun for the whole family

“I loved it! Where’s book two?”

— Gabe, age 12

“I really enjoyed this book!”

— Cathy, beta reader

The Clean Pledge

Nothing in here you'll regret handing over.

I'm D.J. Dawson, a dad of five and the guy who wrote this. Every book I publish is written to be clean, with no profanity and no sexual content. Real stakes, real danger, real courage, but nothing I wouldn't share with my own kids.

If you ever feel something crosses the line, tell me. Keeping that promise matters more to me than any single scene.

— D.J. Dawson

Reading it together?

Free discussion & activity guide.

Conversation questions for every part of the book, big-theme starters, and six activities. Built for book clubs, homeschool groups, classrooms, and family read-alouds. Print it, photocopy it, share it. No signup needed.

Download the guide (PDF)

Spoiler-safe sections, no wrong answers, and one activity where keeping a straight face is required.

3 pages · free to copy for home & classroom use

Teacher, librarian, or co-op leader? Start here →

Join the launch list

Coming August 2026. Be first in line.

Join the launch list and you'll be the first to read Max & Lax the day it goes live. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

We email about new books. That's it.

Say hi

Got something to say?

Loved a character? Caught a typo? Just want to say hello? Leave D.J. a note, no email-address hunting required.