The World According to Max
The World According to Max
I'm Max, and yeah, some kids call me a bully. But they don't get it. They don't see the world the way I do. It's not about being mean; it's about… control.
The Locker Slam
Take yesterday, for example. Little Timmy Thompson was walking down the hall, humming some dumb song. He bumped into me. Didn't even apologize! So, yeah, I slammed his locker shut. Hard. Papers flew everywhere. He yelped. Was it nice? Maybe not. But he learned a lesson: watch where you're going. It's a tough world, and someone's gotta teach these kids how it really is.
The Lunch Table
Lunch is another prime example. That table by the window? That's my table. Always has been. New kid, Emily or something, tried to sit there. She had this… hopeful look on her face. Like she expected a welcome party. I just stared at her. Gave her the look. She got the message. Found another spot. I wasn't being mean; I was maintaining order. Someone has to. If I don't, who will?
Behind the Mask
- Bully:
- Someone who hurts or scares others, often weaker people.
- prime:
- The main or most important example of something.
- scurries:
- Moves quickly with short, hurried steps, often out of fear.
- sickly:
- Often weak, ill, or in poor health.
- maintaining:
- Keeping something in a particular state, condition, or order.
- nonetheless:
- In spite of that; all the same or anyway.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
Identify who presents the text and analyze how perspective shapes what the reader receives.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Language & Tone
Interpret nonliteral language and analyze how word choice shapes tone and meaning.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why does Max think he's not really a bully?
- 2Describe the incident with Timmy Thompson and the locker.
Where this passage belongs
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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary
“The World According to Max” is a fiction reading passage about Bullying, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (302 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.