As incredible as sending as 12-year-old child as a spy into enemy territory seems, I found myself willingly going along with the premise. And more than that, I was cheering for Max to succeed. Charming characters, and plenty action make this a story that you don't want to put down. The ending caught me off guard--like like falling off a cliff (or jumping out a plane)--but it also left me thinking about possibilities.

Max in the House of Spies, A Tale of World War II, by Adam Gidwitz, is a historical fiction story about a Jewish boy named Max, who as a child, flees Nazi Germany and is taken in by a wealthy family in England. It takes on a realistic viewpoint of what might happen during times of war with those who are ridiculed, harassed, and even hated because of their religion. Max doesn’t want to leave Germany because, even as a single child of almost 12, he knows he’s the only one who can help his parents through this rough time. But being forced to leave, he experiences a new family and a new life in England. But his thoughts are ever directed homeward.
Although the story is a serious one, there are two comic sidekicks introduced, giving a fantasy touch: Berg and Stein, who are little more than ephemeral voices speaking to him, each sitting on one of his shoulders throughout all of his ordeals. They help to make the story light-hearted and fun.

The tale is part one of a series yet to come, and though I generally don’t necessarily like cliffhangers, this story is so well written and thought out that I don’t mind. I found myself immersed in the story, wondering what would happen to Max. Would he return to his home in Germany? Could he help with the war effort? And so on. Max in the House of Spies, A Tale of World War II, is a well-told tale that young readers are sure to enjoy, as well as learn some of the history of the past. Highly recommended.