Module 8: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

 

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson introduces a new teenage superhero, fourteen year old Max, short for Maximum.  Max and the rest of her family by circumstance- Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel were created as experiments by scientists who combined human and “avian” or bird DNA. The result is each of them has a pair wings.  Before breaking free, Max and the others were kept as prisoners at a scientific facility called the School, where they spent their childhood locked in cages and being experimented on.  For the last few years, Max and her family have remained hidden in the mountains since the scientists at the School are determined to recapture them.  To accomplish this, the scientists have sent out another of their creations, Erasers, to hunt the “birdkids” down.  Erasers are a mix of human and wolf DNA; they appear human, but can morph into werewolf-like creatures.  At the start of the novel, the Erasers have discovered the family’s hideout and captured six year old, Angel.  Max and the others have to plan a rescue mission while dodging the Erasers on their trail.  Meanwhile, it seems that the addition of bird DNA has had other side effects besides the wings, like increased strength, vision, and a few other surprises.

         

APA Reference of Book:

Patterson, J. (2005). Maximum Ride: The angel experiment. New York: Little, Brown and Company. 

Impressions:

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment contains what seems like every possible science fiction cliché: evil scientists, mutations, inhumane experimentation, were-wolves, superhuman strength and speed, mind control, and double-crosses.  It shouldn’t work, but it does, and it’s highly entertaining.  For me, it was Max’s take-charge personality, even as events spiral out of her control and unexpected humorous situations (like Max’s first driving experience in a stolen van) that made this 422 page book a quick read.  There’s plenty of the standard high-action capture and escape scenarios, but there are also a few unexpected elements like the Voice in Max’s head and discovering pictures that indicate the “birdkids” might have parents looking for them.  This novel is sure to appeal to both middle school boys and girls.  It is the first in a series of eight books, so fans can follow the adventures of this winged family for some time to come.           

Professional Review:

School Library Journal

“A group of genetically enhanced kids who can fly and have other unique talents are on the run from part-human, part-wolf predators called Erasers in this exciting SF thriller that's not wholly original but is still a compelling read. Max, 14, and her adopted family--Fang and Iggy, both 13, Nudge, 11, Gazzy, 8, and Angel, 6--were all created as experiments in a lab called the School. Jeb, a sympathetic scientist, helped them escape and, since then, they've been living on their own. The Erasers have orders to kill them so the world will never find out they exist. Max's old childhood friend, Ari, now an Eraser leader, tracks them down, kidnaps Angel, and transports her back to the School to live like a lab rat again. The youngsters are forced to use their special talents to rescue her as they attempt to learn about their pasts and their destinies. The novel ends with the promise that this journey will continue in the sequel. As with Patterson's adult mystery thrillers, in-depth characterization is secondary to the fast-moving plot. The narrative alternates between Max's first-person point-of-view and that of the others in the third person, but readers don't get to know Max very well. The only major flaw is that the children sound like adults most of the time. This novel is reminiscent of David Lubar's Hidden Talents (Tor, 1999) and Ann Halam's Dr. Franklin's Island (Random, 2002).”

Jones, T. E. (2005, May). [Review of the book Maximum Ride: The angel experiment, by J. Patterson].  School Library Journal, (51)5, 135-138. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses:

Middle School Library

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment can be presented by the librarian in a science fiction book talk along with other titles aimed at the middle school audience, like Airhead by Meg Cabot and The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer.  To promote the novel, the school librarian can also provide links to Maximum Ride book trailers on the library website.