"Congratulations! The mere fact that you’re reading this means you are already one giant leap closer to ensuring you make it to your next birthday. Yes, you, seated there with this book in your hands. DO NOT PUT IT DOWN! I’m dead serious. Your life may very well depend on it. This is my story, one of my family, but it could easily be your story, too. We’re ALL IN THIS TOGETHER—you must trust me on that.
I'm Max, a 14-year-old who shares my life with an extraordinary family comprised of five kids who may not share my bloodline, but they are undeniably my family. Honestly, we are... well, kind of amazing! Without wanting to sound too arrogant, we are nothing like you’ve ever encountered before. In essence, we’re pretty cool—nice, sharp, and remarkable in every way. The six of us: Me, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, The Gasman, and Angel, were purposefully engineered by the most disturbing and horrible scientists you can imagine. They created us as part of a twisted experiment resulting in us being 98% human. That other 2%? Let me tell you, it has a HUGE impact on our lives!
We grew up in what can only be described as a science lab masquerading as a prison, known as the School, confined in cages like lab rats. Miraculously, we are capable of thinking and speaking, and so much more. There was one other experiment that managed to survive beyond infancy. Known as Erasers, they are part human and part wolf—ALL PREDATOR. They are tough, intelligent, and difficult to manage, appearing human until they choose to shift into wolf men, complete with fur, fangs, and claws. The School employs them as guards, police, and executioners. To them, we are merely six moving targets, prey that presents a fun challenge. Their goal? To tear us apart and ensure the world never learns about our existence. But I refuse to lie down quietly.
I’m speaking to YOU! This story could be about you or your children—not today, and not ever. So please, I urge you to take this seriously. I risk everything that truly matters by sharing this, but you have to know the truth. Stay with me, and don’t let anyone halt your journey.
'Maximum Ride' unfolds the tale of six remarkable kids: Max, Fang, and Iggy, all aged 14; Nudge, who is 11; The Gasman (don’t ask why) at 8; and little Angel at just 6. They were created by the sickest scientists you'll ever (thankfully) not meet, resulting in beings who are 98% human. What about that other 2%? They are, remarkably, birds. Yes, they can actually fly—with real wings!
Four years ago, a man named Jeb Batchelder rescued them from the School, but two years back, he vanished. Although they believed he was dead, they are on a quest to find their true parents and uncover whether they were test-tube babies, which they indeed weren’t. Along the way, Max must also contend with saving the world while dodging the fearsome Lupine-Humans, also known as Erasers. These wolf-creatures possess the ability to fly and wield razor-sharp fangs and claws. Among them is Ari, Jeb Batchelder’s son, who transformed into an Eraser at the tender age of three and is now just seven. To add to the surprises, Jeb is alive—shocking, right? Now, the flock is darting across the globe, from NYC to LA, Germany to Antarctica, and all the way to Africa. You never know where their journey might take them next!"
