Max and the Millions: 1

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Seeing how the ‘floor people’ inhabit the room and survive in it is highly creative, from the models and bins being used as homes and flies being used as war machines. The mythology that is developed in this world, such as the book of the floor, to the janitors clothes being seen like holy temple is also very engaging and adds depth to this world. I loved the summer school group (I won't spoil it, but they are hilarious), and the two best-characterised Floor people have a predictable relationship and story arc but it works alongside other fresh features. Max is lonely. Sent to a boarding school by his Great-Aunt, he has struggled to make friends due to being deaf. His love of small models leads to an unlikely friendship with the school caretaker, Mr Darrow, who nurtures Max's talent in model-making. But when Mr Darrow goes missing, it is up to Max to save the day.

Max and the Millions by Ross Montgomery | Goodreads

And on and on the story goes. Max is helped by his roommate Sasha, who didn't go home for summer break, but is still at school running a summer camp for fifty 5-year-old girls. The girls, fueled by candy, also help Max and Sasha in their attempts to outwit the schoolmaster. Much of the story, though, is about the tiny people and their inability to get along. There is lots of violence and threats of violence, although it doesn't seem like anyone actually gets genuinely hurt. There is also the developing friendship between Max and Sasha, as well as Max's attempts to get him to understand the difficulties he has communicating with others. All and all, it is quite an adventure, and I would only recommend it to children who like adventure stories. In addition, those who like witty type humor certainly may appreciate many of the author's attempts to get laughs. This book is Horton Hears a Who meets Honey I Shrunk the Kids meets MacGyver. It features a deaf boy named Max, who wears bilateral hearing aids. Overall, it's an excellent representation. My only issue has to do with the hearing aids. Let's get into it. Deaf reader reviewing books with deaf characters. This book is listed on my ranked list of books with deaf characters.There on the floor he finds a pile of sand . . . and in the sand is Mr Darrow’s latest creation . . . a tiny boy, no bigger than a raisin, Luke, Prince of the Blues. And behind the tiny boy . . . millions of others – a thriving, bustling, sprawling civilization! Adventure Stories (Children's/Ya) Fantasy & Magical Realism (Children's/Ya) JUVENILE FICTION--Action & Adventure--General JUVENILE FICTION--Fantasy & Magic JUVENILE FICTION--General Children's stories Fiction Juvenile works JUVENILE FICTION -- General JUVENILE FICTION -- Fantasy & Magic JUVENILE FICTION -- Action & Adventure -- General There’s a rich vein of Pythonesque humour on display here but also a keen satirical edge… A marvellously funny and original novel.” Take The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett, Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, and Gregor the Overlander by Suzann Collins, mix them together, and add a surprising twist.

Max and the Millions | BookTrust Max and the Millions | BookTrust

Moreover, Mr. Darrow later manufactures a new pair of hearing aids for Max from scratch, ones that perform better than any aids on the market that are created, fitted, and adjusted by professionals. Given how well done the deafness is, the unrealistic savant MacGyvering HAs (reminiscent of Tony Stark’s “magic” HAs for Clint Barton) is disappointing. Like Kate DiCamillo, Montgomery’s use of miracles enables the deaf character to experience an inexplicable ease of communication access. Without his aids, Max believes that “he would have to rely on lip-reading alone from now on.” This, despite his explicit knowledge that signed languages exist, and the fact he can read and write fluently. He uses gesture and writing multiple times throughout, so he's not clueless or helpless. It's not too difficult to at least come up with a signed system (like a visual Morse code). The melodrama of this statement is, of course, childlike, but again, it becomes a non-issue in that Mr. Darrow is able to create magical hearing aids that practically dissolve all communication barriers. In the vein of The Borrowers and The Indian in the Cupboard, this is an imaginative, irresistible, and incredible exploration into what happens when one boy discovers a kingdom of tiny people. Max is used to spending time alone - it's difficult to make friends in a big, chaotic school when you're deaf. He prefers to give his attention to the little things in life... like making awesome, detailed replica models.In my opinions, this book would be highly effective as a discussion starter in PSHE, when looking at relationships and differences between each and every pupil. Caitlin’s desperation for friendship is palpable, and the book powerfully conveys the longing for connection that drives her to risky actions. This British import is earnest, often quietly thoughtful, and quirky.”— The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books A delightful whiff of Monty Python . . . Ross Montgomery’s writing is often pure Douglas Adams.’ SFX Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry. The day before summer vacation, Max’s closest friend at boarding school disappears, leaving behind his amazing model collection and a handful of sand on his bedroom floor. Like Max, the eccentric janitor Mr. Darrow is a genius at building tiny models. Eight weeks later, Max finds that the sand has magically transformed into a whole desert kingdom–filled with millions of tiny people!