Max and Moe is the coming of age story of an east Texas teen, and her mule, Moe. Living with her sister and family after the passing of her father, Max (Maxine) is striving desperately to not only grow up in troubled times, but to hang onto what she perceives as her one true friend, the mule Moe, who may need to be sold in order to cut living expenses after her brother-in-law looses his job. Along the way, Max runs afoul of some dog-nappers, loses her mule, and fights her way through a Texas ice storm in order to save her sick cousin's life. As the story progresses, she learns not only what it means to be grown-up, but also just how many friends she truly does have. A good read for the whole family. Recommended for adolescent to pre-teen readers.