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Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II

max in the house of spies

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Book Review

In Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II, Max’s parents send him to England to escape the Nazis’ violence against Jews. In London, Max grows to love the family hosting him, but he never loses sight of what he truly wants: to see his parents again. When he learns that one member of the family works for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division, he sees his chance. If he can’t get his parents to England, then he’ll find a way to get back into Germany.

Plot Summary

When Max’s parents decide Berlin is no longer safe, Max finds himself on a ship bound for England. The rich Montague family hosts Max in London, and they even buy him his own radio. Max loves his uncles Ivor and Ewen, the latter of whom works for British Naval Intelligence. And he doesn’t mind Mr. and Mrs. Montague or their sons, David and Anthony. However, more than anything, he wants to return to his parents.

Max tries to fit in at St. West’s school, but he endures a great deal of bullying. After about a year in London, the war truly comes to England in the form of the blitz. As bombs rain down on London, the family quickly realizes they must flee to the relative safety of the countryside.

But Max doesn’t want to run. Instead, he wants to be reunited with his parents. On a fishing trip with Admiral Godfrey, Max rigs the car radio to impress the general with his ingenuity. The gamble pays off, and Max find himself at Tring Park training to be a spy.

Max’s training is anything but easy, and because he’s so young, merely passing isn’t an option. In order to return to Germany as a British spy and save his parents, Max has to be exceptional.

Christian Beliefs

God, priests, pastors and angels mentioned.

Other Belief Systems

Max and the Montagues are Jewish, of course—but the story takes a fantastical turn as well. Two tiny, immortal creatures sit on Max’s shoulders.

Those little creatures hopped on Max’s shoulders to get out of Germany, too. Berg is a kobold and the spirit of Germany. Stein is a dybbuk and the spirit of the Jewish people. Max communicates with these two beings, but no one else can see them. Both say they were made by a Holy Hand on the sixth day of creation, but both come with shadowy reputations. That’s especially true of the dybbuk, which is often described as an evil spirit.

Goblins, hobgoblins, gnomes, leprechauns, duendes, jumbies, fairies, river spirits, destiny, hauntings, banshees, possession by evil spirits and dokkaebi are mentioned. Ivor jokingly says an evil god is within him when he plays table tennis. Jean, who’s described as Max’s “mother” in spy school, is compared to a Greek goddess.

Authority Roles

Max’s parents send him away for his safety, and the Montagues take him in. Max’s teachers in both Germany and England are cruel. Uncle Ewen and Uncle Ivor help Max feel like he’s part of the family. Uncle Ewen is worried about Max’s safety but eventually helps him enter spy training.

Profanity & Violence

Mr. Montague says “bloody.” Jean uses a British variation of the word “a–.” Other cursing is mentioned. Offensive targeted at Jews are mentioned in the book, including the title of a “game” at Max’s school in Berlin. (Some boys would chase Jewish classmates around and try to hit them.) At St. West’s in London, classmates accuse Max of being a spy and make “groo, groo” noises at him, making fun of his nose.

Max’s teacher in Germany, Professor Goldenschaft, slaps students, and he beats Max over the head with a ruler until he bleeds. Goldenschaft teaches from the Nazi curriculum, discrediting accomplishments of Jewish people like Einstein.

Max tells Billy he will jab a penknife into his kidney. Boys pummel each other on the rugby field. One bully in England says Hitler isn’t all bad because he knows what to do with Max’s people.

Characters describe communist oppression and Polish citizens being forced from their homes by Nazis and Soviets. The Germans bomb London, and some of the destruction is described.

A rabbi is thrown through the front window of Max’s father’s watch shop, and Max’s father is also beaten. We see other racist, hateful characters: One of them interrogates Max, whom he suspects of being a spy.

Characters smoke pipes and cigarettes throughout. At one point, Berg chokes Stein. England’s colonialism, including killing and enslaving people to build their empire, is discussed. Max plays poker as part of his training. Cyanide pills and suicide are discussed. The admiral calls Max a freak. Major Jameson dies in the parachute jump.

Sexual Content

Berg daydreams about a pretty river spirit. Groin and reproductive organs are mentioned.

Discussion Topics

When you face bullies or mean comments, what do you do? Do you think that’s a good response?

Uncle Ewen says if one loses the truth in the lies of being a spy, then a person is lost. Read John 8:31-32, Psalm 25:5 and Psalm 119:160. Where do we find truth? Why is truth important?

Many people believed Hitler’s lies. What can help you spot lies in the world today?

Additional Comments

Gidwitz paints a vivid picture of 1940s England, helping kids learn about a dark but crucial time in history.  He uses humor and adventure to hold the reader’s interest and keep the heaviness of the story from becoming oppressive. However, the violence and bigotry of the era could be challenging for some younger readers.

You can request a review of a title you can’t find at [email protected].

Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

Review by Rachel Pfeiffer

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