Max Character Analysis in Fish in a Tree

A popular and sporty boy in Ally's class. He loves parties and wants to throw one at school at every opportunity. Though he hangs out with Shay, Jessica, and the other popular girls, Ally implies that Max is nicer than they are and doesn't bully people. He'll play with Oliver at times and, when he discovers that Shay staged a love letter from him to Ally, he's very upset with her and with Jessica.

Max Character Timeline in Fish in a Tree

The timeline below shows where the character Max appears in Fish in a Tree. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Jessica brings a huge bouquet of flowers for Mrs. Hall's baby shower, while Max gives her a package of diapers. Ally thinks that her card, which has a picture... (full context)

Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust Theme Icon

...tells Shay to mind her own business and the two argue for a few minutes. Max roots for a fight, Mrs. Hall tries to calm the room, and Suki takes out... (full context)

...each of her classmates. They contain two Japanese foods that she says might be spicy. Max, Keisha, and Jessica run to the sink for water after eating the wasabi pea, while... (full context)

Max and Oliver ask clarifying questions and Ally receives a yellow notebook. They all begin to... (full context)

...on Star Trek who wears a red shirt never appears again. This makes everyone laugh. Max says Start Trek isn't a good TV show, which stops Albert in his tracks. (full context)

...without opening the box. Everyone looks excited. Ally is put in a group with Jessica, Max, Oliver, and Suki. Ally considers asking to go to the nurse when she sees all... (full context)

Max shakes the box and says the object is heavy. Oliver shouts that it might be... (full context)

...marker, and Mr. Daniels stays to observe Ally's group with the fourth box. Jessica compliments Max as he turns the box around, and Oliver guesses the box contains a quarter as... (full context)

...but Keisha snags Ally at the door and gives her a cupcake. She snaps at Max when he seems jealous, and Oliver flails and says, "Me want cupcake!" Shay calls Oliver... (full context)

...be a silver dollar day as Albert starts filling his pockets with acorns. Oliver and Max throw acorns at a tree, Ally picks one up too, and Shay laughs at Albert... (full context)

...little while, Ally solves the puzzle. Mr. Daniels lets her help her classmates and though Max asks for help and Jessica smiles, Shay calls Ally a loser again. (full context)

...when she wins—she thought everyone loved Shay. Shay is quiet and glares at Ally, and Max suggests they throw a party. (full context)

...on her desk at school. It's not from Mr. Daniels; it's in cursive and has Max's name at the bottom. Ally can't read it, so she slides it away and decides... (full context)

...her head. She asks what letter, and Shay impatiently whispers that the letter was from Max, asking Ally to meet him for lunch. She says Max is disappointed. Ally says nothing... (full context)

Max walks over to see what's going on, and Shay points out that Ally is making... (full context)