Reviewer: Sharon Brunner
Debbie Nellis’ Max’s Fudgy Friends: Island Adventures with Mackinac Max offers a delightful story about a journey involving friends and delicious fudge. The story took place on Mackinac Island, which is known for its fudge. Max, Louie, Bob, Sam, Allie, Buddy, Benny, and Hank, the main characters, wanted to satisfy their taste buds with a scrumptious treat. The friends walked, bounced, darted, rode, scurried, and fluttered down the trail to town.
A common theme was the benefit of doing things with friends. While on his adventure, various friends joined Max along the way. They saw the Grand Hotel, an airplane and colorful gardens. They were rewarded for their efforts when the fudge shop owner passed out delicious pieces of fudge to Max and his friends.
I have had the good fortune of visiting Mackinac Island on many occasions. The minute I stepped off the boat and onto the island, I smelled the various flavors of fudge. Horse drawn carriages were seen carrying passengers. Hank, a horse, was one of the characters in this book, I am familiar with Murdick’s Fudge Shop. This shop was used for the fudge shop location photo.
The movie “Somewhere in Time” came to mind while reading this book. It’s a 1980 romantic fantasy that took place at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island which was about an obsessed playwright who becomes deeply infatuated with a picture of a beautiful actress. The iconic symbol of the Grand Hotel in this book and the movie portrays an enchanting piece of history that so richly portrays the island.
Max’s Fudgy Friends: Island Adventures with Mackinac Max provides an endearing story of fudgy friends. The term fudgy has been used to describe tourists who visit places like Mackinac Island and St. Ignace. The fudge shops do quite well as a business. It’s interesting to watch the shops make the fudge. That is also part of the attraction of the island. We also have a fudge shop in Sault Ste. Marie part of my family, and I watched a young man make fudge this summer. Nellis brings to life how adventures with friends can be much sweeter.
Title: Max’s Fudgy Friends: Island Adventures with Mackinac Max
Author: Debbie Nellis
