Max is a Jewish boy living in Berlin in 1939 when he’s sent to England on a Kindertransport and taken in by the Jewish Montagu family. He appreciates the Montagu’s kindness and warmth, but worries constantly about his parents back in Germany. Ignoring his foster brother David’s advice to stay quiet at school about being Jewish, Max comes up with a funny prank to protest the antisemitism of some of his classmates–a prank that enrages or delights the Montagus, depending on the family member. Uncle Ivan and Uncle Ewen, who works for Naval Intelligence, are particularly thrilled. Willing to do anything to get back to Berlin to help his parents, Max wants to show Uncle Ewen’s boss, the Admiral, that he can be a spy for Britain. Although his plans to impress the Admiral don’t go as planned, Max gets his wish and is sent to a secret training facility at a country estate. It’s already clear Max is brilliant, but he must develop physical strength, learn new skills, and prove he's capable of creative problem-solving. Max’s story is entertaining and completely over-the-top—including the presence of Stein and Berg, two diminutive old men (a German kobold and Jewish dybbuk) often perched on Max’s shoulders and sharing quips and wisdom. While the plot is incredible, Max’s emotional story is authentic and historically grounded in this engaging action-adventure with a cliffhanger ending surely to be continued …

An acclaimed Best Book of 2024!

Instant New York Times bestseller • Wall Street Journal Best Books of the Year • Booklist Editors’ Choice • Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year • School Library Journal Best Books of the Year • Common Sense Best Books of the Year • Imagination Soup Best Books of the Year • Tablet Magazine Best Books of the Year

“Max in the House of Spies is everything you could hope for in a book,” -R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder, White Bird, and Pony

“Espionage! Secrets! Suspense! If you’ve ever dreamed of being a spy, this book is for you.” -Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Projekt 1065

Max Bretzfeld doesn’t want to move to London.

Leaving home is hard and Max is alone for the first time in his life. But not for long. Max is surprised to discover that he’s been joined by two unexpected traveling companions, one on each shoulder, a kobold and a dybbuk named Berg and Stein.

Germany is becoming more and more dangerous for Jewish families, but Max is determined to find a way back home, and back to his parents. He has a plan to return to Berlin. It merely involves accomplishing the impossible: becoming a British spy.

The first book in a duology, Max in the House of Spies is a thought-provoking World War II story as only acclaimed storyteller Adam Gidwitz can tell it—fast-paced and hilarious, with a dash of magic and a lot of heart.