2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Max steps up to save a boy from an abusive social worker. The boy barricades himself in a room, and Max talks him down and arranges for him to stay at the hospital near his brother. The social worker is fired and charged with assault. What were your thoughts on this scene and its purpose within the context of this story? How realistic is it within the social services world?

Max had a quirt authority that reassured the boy. It showed that he truly cared about victims. In reality I don't think the social worker would have been fired. At the worst he would have been reprimanded.

I don't think real social workers behave like that anyway. (I happen to know a social worker and he is a relaxed, down to earth guy.) Like the family, the social worker was a caricature, designed to display Max and Ellie at their best.

I worked in a Children & Youth office for a little while. It would be very rare that a social worker would act like this guy did. They care about the kids which explains why they stick around when they get paid next to nothing.

I loved Max in this scene as it revealed so much about him. Garwood's heroes all seem to have a soft spot for children.