Quick Take

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.Then Mr Darrow, the school caretaker and fellow modeller, goes missing. Max must follow his parting instruction: 'Go to my room. You'll know what to do.'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!

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Max and the Millions

Introduction

"Max and the Millions" by Ross Montgomery is a captivating children's book that follows the journey of Max, a deaf boy attending a boarding school. The story revolves around Max's unexpected discovery of a miniature civilization created by his school caretaker, Mr. Darrow. As Max navigates the challenges of making friends and communicating in a chaotic school environment, he embarks on an adventure to save the miniature world from an impending war. This book offers a unique blend of adventure, friendship, and awareness of deafness, making it a recommended read for children in Upper KS2.

About Ross Montgomery

Ross Montgomery, the author of "Max and the Millions," has a diverse background that includes working as a pig farmer, postman, and primary school teacher. His childhood reading habits, which included everything from Jacqueline Wilson to Beano annuals, influenced his writing style and shaped his perspective on life. Montgomery's ability to create relatable characters and incorporate humorous elements into his stories has made him a popular author among children.

Analysis of Views

A Thrilling Adventure: Many readers found "Max and the Millions" to be a thrilling adventure filled with laugh-out-loud moments. The story combines elements of courage, friendship, and doing what is right, making it a captivating read for children.
Courageous and Relatable Characters: The characters in the book, particularly Max and Sasha, were found to be courageous and relatable. Max's struggles with deafness and his journey towards making friends resonated with readers, particularly those who have experienced similar challenges. Sasha's support and understanding of Max's communication needs added depth to their friendship.
Deaf Awareness and Inclusion: The book touches upon the difficulties faced by deaf individuals and provides insight into their experiences. Montgomery's portrayal of Max's hearing aids and his attempts to communicate effectively with Sasha were appreciated by readers who found it important to raise awareness about deafness.
Humor and Pop Culture References: The book's humor and pop culture references added a lighthearted touch to the story. Readers enjoyed the witty dialogue, humorous situations, and references to popular culture, which made the book more enjoyable and engaging.
Imaginative World-Building: The miniature civilization created by Mr. Darrow was praised for its imaginative concept and attention to detail. Montgomery's ability to create a world within a world captivated readers and allowed them to immerse themselves in the story.

Reasons for Recommendation

Engaging Storyline: The engaging storyline, filled with adventure, friendship, and humor, kept readers hooked from start to finish. The fast-paced narrative and rising stakes kept readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what would happen next.
Relatable Characters: The relatable characters, particularly Max and Sasha, resonated with readers. Their struggles with communication, bullying, and self-acceptance made them relatable figures that children could easily connect with. Max's journey towards self-discovery and finding his place in the world was inspiring and uplifting.
Deaf Awareness and Inclusion: The book's portrayal of deafness and inclusion of deaf characters was a significant factor in its recommendation. It provided readers with valuable insights into the challenges faced by deaf individuals and demonstrated the importance of understanding and acceptance. This aspect of the book was praised for its educational value and its ability to raise awareness about deafness.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Unrealistic Elements: Some readers found certain elements of the book unrealistic, particularly Max's lip-reading abilities and his ability to understand Sasha's speech without any alternative communication methods. These aspects were seen as inappropriate or unrealistic, which detracted from the overall authenticity of the story.
Limited Character Development: A few readers felt that Max and Sasha's characters could have been developed further. They wished to have explored more of their personal stories before delving into the miniature adventures. This lack of character development was seen as a drawback that could have enhanced the overall impact of the book.

Conclusion

"Max and the Millions" by Ross Montgomery is a captivating children's book that combines adventure, friendship, and awareness of deafness in an imaginative world-building setting. With relatable characters, humor, and pop culture references, it offers a thrilling reading experience for children in Upper KS2. While some readers found certain elements unrealistic or lacking in character development, the book's engaging storyline, relatable characters, and educational value make it a recommended read for those seeking an adventurous and inclusive children's book.