Absolutely loved this - almost threw my kindle across the room when it ended. Max is a precocious, loyal, confident, out of the box-thinking pre-teen that I would have wanted to be.

Full of magical realism - a kobold and a dybbuk. I didn't like it at first but it grows on you - think of them as a Greek chorus - adding background, insight into Max's personal thoughts, conflict, and humor.

Not big on the cover - I'll have to tell kids not to pay attention to it when I promote the book.

Wished it weren't written as a series but rather as a single volume....perhaps it will be republished some day in one. I'll have a long wait to find out.

I loved it! I wouldn't usually go for something with magical creatures in an otherwise normal world but I like historical fiction and we are learning about WWII at school so it's good to have some new books to recommend to the class. I'm so glad I did! I loved the familiar names from history that kept popping up and the characters were so well written. I was reminded, at times, of the nuns in Daisy May Johnson's How to Be Brave/True series, I think because, like the adults in this book, they don't underestimate children or treat them as any less intelligent, just because they're younger. I also loved Berg and Stein and the history of their characters and how well they try to hide that they do like Max really, despite how rude they are to him at times.

Middle grade + historical fiction + magical realism + Jewish rep + spy novel

Fantastic read about a German boy, Max, who is sent on Kindertransport to London. He finds any way possible to get back to his parents, leading to him becoming a spy.

Full of history, mystery, excitement and a great addition to any middle grade library!

World War II has officially begun, and eleven-year-old Max Bretzfeld has been shipped from his home in Berlin, Germany to the presumably safe residence of distant relatives outside of London, England. Interestingly, Max has not been dispatched alone; he now has two supernatural beings accompanying him that nobody else can see. Being Jewish, Max has honed the skills necessary to survive in an increasingly antisemitic world, but when he discovers the true identities of the family members that have taken him in, he learns that his skills may prove even more valuable than he initially realized.

This intriguing middle grade novel has much of the feeling of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in that the narrative is told from the perspective of an omniscient narrator who often inserts humor in unexpected places. The pacing of the book moves quickly, and readers will be intrigued to experience World War II from the unique angle used in this novel. Max is the focus of the story, and though he is not the one to tell the tale, he is a curious character to examine from a distance. He has many observational skills, and his love for his parents and his heritage are palpable throughout the novel.

While Max’s story could easily be one of heartbreak and despair, this book has turned the status quo in a different direction by incorporating humor and supernatural creatures into an otherwise difficult situation. These additions give readers more to contemplate, especially as they consider the true events of World War II in a fresh light. As in other middle grade novels, bullying runs rampant in this book as well, but Max is an excellent role model as he uses his intellect and unique skill set to best others without the use of violence. Engaging, humorous, and uniquely told, this is a fun addition to World War II historical fiction collections for middle grade readers, and it is poised for a sequel.

As incredible as sending as 12-year-old child as a spy into enemy territory seems, I found myself willingly going along with the premise. And more than that, I was cheering for Max to succeed. Charming characters, and plenty action make this a story that you don't want to put down. The ending caught me off guard--like like falling off a cliff (or jumping out a plane)--but it also left me thinking about possibilities.

Max in the House of Spies, A Tale of World War II, by Adam Gidwitz, is a historical fiction story about a Jewish boy named Max, who as a child, flees Nazi Germany and is taken in by a wealthy family in England. It takes on a realistic viewpoint of what might happen during times of war with those who are ridiculed, harassed, and even hated because of their religion. Max doesn’t want to leave Germany because, even as a single child of almost 12, he knows he’s the only one who can help his parents through this rough time. But being forced to leave, he experiences a new family and a new life in England. But his thoughts are ever directed homeward.
Although the story is a serious one, there are two comic sidekicks introduced, giving a fantasy touch: Berg and Stein, who are little more than ephemeral voices speaking to him, each sitting on one of his shoulders throughout all of his ordeals. They help to make the story light-hearted and fun.

The tale is part one of a series yet to come, and though I generally don’t necessarily like cliffhangers, this story is so well written and thought out that I don’t mind. I found myself immersed in the story, wondering what would happen to Max. Would he return to his home in Germany? Could he help with the war effort? And so on. Max in the House of Spies, A Tale of World War II, is a well-told tale that young readers are sure to enjoy, as well as learn some of the history of the past. Highly recommended.