Max's Reading Academy

Welcome to Max's Reading Academy, where we help parents, grandparents, and teachers inspire their children to tap into the benefits of becoming lifelong readers.

Maxim J. (Max) Sterling
Maxim J. (Max) Sterling

Max, a Chicago native, holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. With over two decades of experience in Human Resources and Marketing, he is an avid reader and dedicated photographer. His mission to inspire curiosity and a love of reading in children is a driving force that he blends with his passion for storytelling, engaging and motivating young minds.

Max grew up during an era when 'High Tech' meant transistor radios and outdoor play was all the rage. So, he is a champion for balanced childhoods amidst today's digital distractions. Through his books, such as The Talking Tree, a whimsical tale of a tree that can speak, and the Wiz Kids Global Adventures series, a collection of thrilling adventures that promote cultural awareness, he encourages imagination, curiosity, and a lifelong sense of wonder in young readers.

Books

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The Talking Tree

Overcoming Your Fears

Embark on a magical adventure with Billy, a cheerful 6-year-old, and his friends as they face the daunting challenges of the first day of school. Fears and doubts loom, but a mysterious Talking Tree in the enchanted Canopy unveils a world of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. Join this heartwarming journey filled with laughter, challenges,...

The Wiz Kids Global Adventures With Professor Klutzhoffer

Book 1: Adventures in France

Embark on a spellbinding journey with Lily, Sam, and Charlie - three siblings whose lives are transformed when they encounter a whimsical professor and his granddaughter, Piper. After aiding the duo in recovering the potent Stardust Crystals required to fuel their spaceship, the children are bestowed with the adventure of a lifetime - a voyage...

The Wiz Kids Global Adventures with Professor Klutzhoffer

Book 2: Exploring Africa

Join Elliot, Chloe, Jamal, Sofia, and the wise Professor Klutzhoffer in the thrilling second book of the Children’s Geography Series! The Wiz Kids adventure to save Tumaini, a lost elephant calf, from poachers in the African savannah.

Along the way, they’ll:

- Explore the Maasai culture and learn useful Swahili words.

- Encounter majestic wildlife...

Series

The Wiz Kids Global Adventures With Professor Klutzhoffer
The Wiz Kids Global Adventures with Professor Klutzhoffer
The Wiz Kids Global Adventures with Professor Klutzhoffer

The Wiz Kids Global Adventures with Professor Klutzhoffer

More Than Just a Book Series

The Wiz Kids Global Adventures were created to spark curiosity, inspire young readers, and remind kids what childhood is truly about—imagination, adventure, and play. These stories are a fun, screen-free way to help children explore the world,...

Blog

July 18, 2025

Turn 'Screen Time' into 'Reading Time'

This might sound like a tall order, but stick with me—it isn't as hard as it sounds.

We all know kids crave...

February 3, 2025

Let’s face it—kids today are glued to screens. Smartphones, tablets, endless streams of content—it’s their world. And while tech has its perks, it’...