Maximum Ride

In a world where science has advanced so much that human-avain hybrids exist, meet Maximum Ride. She is a girl who is spunky and sassy and rebellious. So basically, your typical 14 year-old. Oh, and she can also fly with the wings that sprout from her back. In the first book of this epic series, meet the Flock, a group of six kids who have all been successfully grafted with bird DNA, giving them abilities we could only dream of. They lived in peace for two years after escaping the nightmarish School, but are now being hunted by the equally as successful half human half wolf hybrids, the Erasers. When one of their own gets kidnapped, the Flock goes on a journey to find their missing member and maybe discover secrets as to who their parents are and why they were taken by the School. So strap in and get ready to take flight with this fast paced, action packed novel.

## Book Reviews

**Personal Review**: "The first time I read this book, it was extremely hard for me to put it down. This tells the story of six kids who seem to be your average group of kids. Except they have the ability to fly, because they have WINGS. But, their story isn't as awesome as it seems. The Flock spent 10 years trapped in The School, a place where they were experimented on every day, experiments so dangerous that it leaves one of the Flock members blind. But one day, the Flock is able to escape, and go out into the mountains where they lived peacefully for two years. Until their past starts to catch up with them. Now they are being hunted relentlessly by The School's hybrid minions, Erasers. One of the Flock gets captured and it is up to Max and the gang to rescue their littlest member. They are set on a high action, fast paced adventure that uncovers a lot of dirty secrets and raises a lot of questions that the Flock may not want answers to. James Patterson is a thrilling author, using vivid and accurate language to really get us inside the head of Maximum Ride. He grabs the reader's attention with humor and gripping action that leaves you on the edge of your seat. All the characters, especially the hybrids, have a very distinct and layered sense of fears and emotional turmoil, making them as complicated and interesting as their DNA. A riveting read, one that you won't be able to put down!"

**Kirkus Reviews:** "Nonstop action carries this page-turner breathlessly from start to finish. Fourteen-year-old Max (full name Maximum Ride) and her “flock” have escaped from a horrific School that kept them in cages and tortured them in the name of scientific research. Max and her flock are genetic experiments: 98% human with 2% avian genes grafted on, they’re super-powerful—and can fly. “Erasers” (violent genetic combinations of men and wolves) pursue them at every turn. Crossing the country first to save their youngest from the School’s scientific sadists and then track down their histories (were they born from parents or test tubes?), they wind up in New York City’s sewers. Max develops shattering headaches and a Voice in her head that crashes nearby computers and tells her to save the world. Is it a friend or the flock’s betrayer? Short chapters and paragraphs are smoothly accessible; Max’s easy-to-read voice alternates between immediate and sardonic. The ending reveals frustratingly few answers, leaving layers of mystery for the sequel. Speed, suspense, excitement."

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/james-patterson/maximum-ride/

## Activities

Create a 6 song soundtrack for the book or for one of the characters. Explain why you chose these songs.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiih42lqcXJAhXouYMKHR-BAUUQFghJMAc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beaver.k12.oh.us%2Fuserfiles%2F114%2FClasses%2F483%2FMaximum%2520Ride%2520The%2520Angel%2520Experiment.docx&usg=AFQjCNHHrj\_HvfmHmtqeirhGp86XM463gg&sig2=AFq7idz3QennqAp52Btktw&bvm=bv.108538919,d.amc

## Other Links

Maximum Ride Wikia: http://maximumride.wikia.com/wiki/The\_Angel\_Experiment

Fan Made Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABJ8Q2-PrUo