Max in the House of Spies, Adam Gidwitz
Max in the House of Spies, Adam Gidwitz
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Max in the House of Spies
A Tale of World War II

Author: Adam Gidwitz

Narrator: Euan Morton

Unabridged: 7 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/27/2024

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

“Max in the House of Spies is everything you could hope for in a book,” -R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder, White Bird, and Pony

“Espionage! Secrets! Suspense! If you’ve ever dreamed of being a spy, this book is for you.” -Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Projekt 1065

Max Bretzfeld doesn’t want to move to London.

Leaving home is hard and Max is alone for the first time in his life. But not for long. Max is surprised to discover that he’s been joined by two unexpected traveling companions, one on each shoulder, a kobold and a dybbuk named Berg and Stein.

Germany is becoming more and more dangerous for Jewish families, but Max is determined to find a way back home, and back to his parents. He has a plan to return to Berlin. It merely involves accomplishing the impossible: becoming a British spy.

The first book in a duology, Max in the House of Spies is a thought-provoking World War II story as only acclaimed storyteller Adam Gidwitz can tell it—fast-paced and hilarious, with a dash of magic and a lot of heart.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF that contains photos and an annotated bibliography from the book.

About The Author

Bestselling author Adam Gidwitz was a teacher for eight years. He told countless stories to his students, who then demanded he write his first book, A Tale Dark & Grimm. Adam has since written two companion novels, In a Glass Grimmly and The Grimm Conclusion. He is also the author of The Inquisitor’s Tale, which won the Newbery Honor, and The Unicorn Rescue Society series. Adam still tells creepy, funny fairy tales live to kids on his podcast Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest—and at schools around the world. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, daughter, and dog, Lucy Goosey.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Betsy

A lot of children’s librarians started out as English majors. I’m not surprising anyone with this information, of course. And I’m no different than anyone else. When I was in college I dutifully went through my paces, learning such extraordinary new English terms as phallocentric patriarchy, post-co......more

Goodreads review by RachelAnne

4.5 Reviewed from ARC. The letter at the beginning of this book is key to framing it. This is an attempt to explore two questions: Why do Antisemites hate Jews? and How can a nation give itself over to a lie? Gidwitz does an amazing job of putting his investigation into a plot that is more adventuro......more

Goodreads review by Beth Anne

I went into this book pretty blind because I love spy stories and middle grade books and this sounded like the perfect combination. Very early on we find out that the main character, Max, while being transported to England in 1939 against his wishes (because he's Jewish and his family's business has......more

Goodreads review by DaNae

My earlier review disappeared. Suffice it to say, I'm on pins and needles waiting for the next book in the series. Belief needs to be suspended a bit that a twelve-year-old would be trained for a spy, but at some point I was all in, crazy kangaroos and all. The pages couldn't turn fast enough. Popsu......more

Goodreads review by Lee

"But Ewen is a slave to the stories he tells himself. I suppose everyone is, really." Max said, "Huh?" (...) "We Brits tell ourselves stories like 'We are bringing Christian brotherhood to the world' while we enslave other human beings. We tell ourselves stories like 'We are bringing the masses freedom......more

Quotes

Instant New York Times bestseller • Wall Street Journal Best Books of the Year • Booklist Editors’ Choice • Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year • School Library Journal Best Books of the Year • Common Sense Best Books of the Year • Imagination Soup Best Books of the Year • Tablet Magazine Best Books of the Year

“A cracking adventure story…. Readers will seethe with Max at the teasing, pine with him as he longs for home, and cheer as he trounces his adversaries to the point of being taken on by British espionage.″ —Wall Street Journal

“Absolutely everything a reader could want in a World War II spy novel.″ —School Library Journal, starred review

“Clever Max plays the long game with determination, and his agency is refreshing…. This heartfelt historical novel explores big questions of autonomy and allegiance with an admirable protagonist readers will respect and adore.” —Booklist, starred review

“Max’s training as a spy is described in riveting detail, with readers rooting for the determined boy even as we know the dangers awaiting him if he passes the test.” —The Horn Book, starred review

“Gidwitz imbues Max’s first-person voice with plentiful charm and intellect, making him an irresistible and irrepressible protagonist…. An exciting mixture of triumphs and perils, leading up to a cliffhanger ending that will have readers clamoring for the sequel.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Newbery Honor winner Adam Gidwitz uses historical events to build this inspiring and exciting tale of one boy′s determination in the face of extreme prejudice and violence.... The novel is never heavy or sorrowful; instead, Max in the House of Spies is filled with humor, hope, and tenacity.″ —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Funny, fraught, magical… A thrilling tale, irresistible characters, and many hilarious moments sit atop a lot of dark history and ethical issues in Adam Gidwitz′s WWII tale of a radio-whiz Kindertransport kid in spy school.” –Common Sense Media, five stars

“A duology opener with a truly likable hero and clever puzzling. Max in the House of Spies—packed with sideways thinking, sociopolitical insights, and a Marmite-eating kangaroo named Kathy—delights.″ —Kirkus

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