Hanging On to Max by Margaret Bechard

Bechard, Margaret. Hanging On to Max. Brookfield CT: Roaring Brook Press, 2002. ISBN-10: 0761325743

Summary 
Sam decides to keep the baby-- his baby. At first the mother was going to keep him. She was sure: no abortion, no adoption. But things weren't how she expected and she changed her mind. That's how Max ends up at the alternative high school where they have a day care and most of his classmates are mothers. Max is surprised to see Claire, his old crush, at school with her daughter Emily. The four of them are spending time together taking the kids on outings. When they run into some of their old classmates at the mall, Sam gets a glimpse of how his life could have been. Now Max is considering college and reconsidering his choices.

Evaluation 
A realistic portrayal of teenage fatherhood, Sam is exhausted by the time he sits down to do his homework. Sam's family has excepted his decision to keep his son Max, but they're not making it easier. Interestingly, Claire, the teenage mother has a different experience. Her family has showered the child with toys and clothes. They babysit so much  that Claire doesn't even feel like the mother. Also, the surprise ending (I don't want to spoil it, but Sam has a change of heart) drives home the difficulty of Sam's decisions.

Reader's Annotation 
When Sam's girlfriend says she changed her mind and wants to give their child up for adoption, Sam hears himself say he would take the baby. Now Sam spends his days feeding, bathing, diapering and playing baby games.  Sam feels like he did the right thing but when he sees some of his old classmates at the mall he starts thinking about how his life could have been.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness 
 Realistic representation of teenage parenthood.

Genre and Subject 
Teenage fathers

Why I read it
I enjoyed Slam by Nick Hornby and Heaven which are also about teen fathers. Also, my classmates said that the ending is a real surprise (which is true) but refused to give it away. I wanted to know what was so surprising!