Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever, by James Patterson

Bibliographic Information:
Patterson, J. (2006). Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever, by Little, Brown. ISBN-10: 0316155594

Book Awards:
None.

Plot Summary:
In this second book about a group of human-avian genetic hybrids, Max and her group have finally escaped (with the dog, nonetheless) from the scientists who raised them. On the wing, they are pursued by the School's Erasers, which are human-wolf hybrids created as soldiers. Somehow, the Erasers always seem to know where they are, and Max and the kids are getting weary of living a hunted life. When one of the group gets injured and they are forced to take him to a hospital, the FBI steps in, telling Max that they are trying to get the School shut down. Distrustful but hopeful, the kids agree to live with one of the agents on a trial basis. What will happen when the Erasers inevitably show up at their new home?

Critical Evaluation:
Patterson is a master at telling a fast-paced story that is hard to put down, and his forays into YA show this skill. However, although his adult books are skillfully woven complex plots, the YA Max books sacrifice some plot for action. This book feels more like a chapter than a book--it's the running away chapter, with no real conclusion. It doesn't subtract much from the enjoyment factor in reading it, though, because Patterson doesn't skimp on the characters, and the reader is really pulling for Max and her family.

Reader's Annotation:
Will the wolf-men catch the bird-kids? Having escaped from the dog crates in the labs where they were kept, Max and the kids she cares for will have to fly fast and hard to avoid going back.

About the Author:
James Patterson was born in New York in 1947. He received a Master's Degree from Vanderbilt. A former advertising executive (he came up with "Toys R Us Kid"), he retired to write full time after Along Came a Spider became successful. His current project is a website called "ReadKiddoRead.com", which is a tool to help adults find books that kids are sure to love.

Genre:
Science fiction

Curriculum Ties:
Biology

Booktalking Ideas:
Modifications besides wings to fly
All adults untrustworthy

Interest Age:
12+

Challenge Issues:
None
However, if a challenge should occur,
Read the book! Urge parent to do the same. Cite awards and reviews. Refer to collection development policy. If dispute continues, parents' wishes regarding their own children will be respected.

Reason Included:
Maximum Ride was an American Library Association 2005 "Teens Top Ten" pick and was a London Times "Book of the Week" selection and a Book Sense 2007 Children's Pick.