Max in the House of Spies
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  • Published: 23 April 2025
  • ISBN: 9780593112106
  • Imprint: Dutton
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $23.00

Max in the House of Spies

A Tale of World War II

Formats & editions
Paperback
23 Apr 2025
EBook
27 Feb 2024
Audiobook
27 Feb 2024
Hardback
2 Apr 2024
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“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

Fast-paced and hilarious, with a dash of magic and a lot of heart, the first book Adam Gidwitz's thought-provoking World War II duology is now available in paperback!

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.
  • Published: 23 April 2025
  • ISBN: 9780593112106
  • Imprint: Dutton
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $23.00
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About the author

Adam Gidwitz

Bestselling author Adam Gidwitz was a teacher for eight years. He told countless stories to his students, who then demanded he write his first book, A Tale Dark & Grimm. Adam has since written two companion novels, In a Glass Grimmly and The Grimm Conclusion. He is also the author of The Inquisitor’s Tale, which won the Newbery Honor, and The Unicorn Rescue Society series. Adam still tells creepy, funny fairy tales live to kids on his podcast Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest—and at schools around the world. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, daughter, and dog, Lucy Goosey.

Also by Adam Gidwitz

Max in the Land of Lies
The Madre de Aguas of Cuba
The Secret of the Himalayas
The Madre de Aguas of Cuba
The Chupacabras of the Río Grande
Sasquatch and the Muckleshoot
The Creature of the Pines
See all

Praise for Max in the House of Spies

Praise for Max in the House of Spies

“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

“Clever Max plays the long game with determination, and his agency is refreshing…. This heartfelt historical novel explores big questions of autonomy and allegiance with an admirable protagonist readers will respect and adore.” —Booklist, starred review

“Gidwitz imbues Max’s first-person voice with plentiful charm and intellect, making him an irresistible and irrepressible protagonist…. An exciting mixture of triumphs and perils, leading up to a cliffhanger ending that will have readers clamoring for the sequel.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A duology opener with a truly likable hero and clever puzzling. Max in the House of Spies—packed with sideways thinking, sociopolitical insights, and a Marmite-eating kangaroo named Kathy—delights.″ —Kirkus