Shout out to Emma K. at the Norwich Bookstore for recommending Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz in one of their newsletters. Written for middle grade readers, I was thoroughly engaged with this novel, set in Berlin and London during World War II.
The plot is based in history and is plausibly fantastic, an odd yet pleasing combination. Max, a twelve-year-old Jewish boy, is sent to London for safety from his home in Berlin, which Hitler’s policies are making more dangerous by the day. He finds himself accompanied by a dybbuk (a spirit) named Stein on one shoulder and a kobold (a different kind of spirit) named Berg on the other. It is from these two immortal beings that he learns about history and politics, along with personal courage and confidence. They also add an occasional welcome touch of hilarity to an otherwise dark backstory.
Miserable in his new British school and missing his parents, Max desperately wants to return home. He discovers that if he trains and qualifies as a British spy, he can. He is determined, and imaginative adventures ensue.
Max in the Land of Lies picks up where the first volume leaves off. Even higher adventures as Max enters enemy territory and more heart-wrenching (and sadly true) wartime stories are tempered with caring friendships, amazing successes, and heartwarming reconnections in this sequel.
As an “elder” reading children’s literature, I was impressed with how the author presents the cultural and political settings to a younger audience, bringing a challenging time in history to life. I wonder how today’s fifth graders react when learning about 1940s Germany and the Holocaust. Do they draw connections to current times?
Note: The masterful Euan Morton reads both of these novels on audiobook.
Liza Bernard is a voracious reader who enjoys both printed volumes and audiobooks. Formerly co-owner of the Norwich Bookstore, she maintains her connections with readers and writers as the Programming and Marketing Librarian at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vermont.