Reviews

Gr 6-10-James Patterson's third installment (Little, Brown, 2007) in the "Maximum Ride" series soars in the capable hands of narrators Nancy Wu and James Jenner. Wu is the voice of the bold and feisty Max, a DNA mutated combination of human and bird. She and her winged cohorts have escaped from Itex, the diabolical company that created and then experimented on the mutant creatures. Itex plans to create a master race and reduce the world's population by half. Max and her clan must save themselves, and then the world. Those familiar with the first two books in the series will thoroughly enjoy this one, although each book can stand alone. The novel, with its short chapters, fast-paced action, and focus on futuristic science and technology, will appeal to reluctant readers. The excellent characterizations by Wu and Jenner help listeners keep the cast of characters straight. A great choice for school and public libraries.-Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

The third and final chapter in James Patterson's Maximum Ride series, Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, finds Max and the rest of the gang gearing up for their final battle against the agents of the "Re-Evolution" experiment-evil scientists working to genetically engineer a "superior" race of humans. (Little, Brown, $16.99 416p Ages 9-12 ISBN 978-0316155601; May) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.