Max in the Land of Lies
Max is back in Berlin. He’s on a dangerous mission that will take every ounce of ingenuity and luck he’s ever had. Lucky for him- he’s got a dybbuk and a kobold on his side(s).
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What the Book is About
Jewish Content and Values
Content Advisory
What the Book is About
In this stand-alone sequel to Max in the House of Spies, Jewish 13-year-old Max Bretzfeld parachutes into Germany during World War II with a mission to infiltrate the Funkhaus, the Nazi radio and propaganda center. His secret goal, however, is to find his missing parents. While in Germany, Max is aided by a kind anti-Nazi pastor, faces off with Nazi sympathizers, learns that a high-ranking Nazi spy hates Hitler, and has a meal with Hitler himself. Max also befriends Freddie, the unpopular son of a Nazi, and is forced to join the Hitler Youth with Freddie in order to maintain his cover. Max is also accompanied by Berg and Stein, magical creatures that assist (and annoy) him throughout his adventure. Eventually, Max’s identity is discovered, and he has just enough time to deliver an important message before escaping back to Britain.
Jewish Content and Values
- There is a reference to Max's family not eating pork but not keeping kosher, and a reference to how Jews used to celebrate Simchat Torah in the streets of the Jewish neighborhood where they were now being killed.
- The Jewish value of pikuah nefesh, or saving a life, is central to the story. Two characters who outwardly support the Nazis secretly oppose them and put themselves at great personal risk in order to help Jews, and Max puts his own life in danger to help defeat the Nazis.
- As with many books set during World War II, most of the Jewish content is focused on antisemitism and the Holocaust.
Content Advisory
Max discovers that his father was murdered, and his mother was forced to bury him. There is a brief and difficult description of the concentration camps, including Jews having to strip naked and a description of different ways in which Nazis killed Jews. Max must hide that he is circumcised, and he is mocked by the Hitler Youth and accused of being a Jew in one scene, followed by a violent fight between the youth. Hitler is portrayed as a character, with dialogue, and discussion as to why ordinary people went along with his evil policies may be confusing for some kids.
What the Book is About
What the Book is About
In this stand-alone sequel to Max in the House of Spies, Jewish 13-year-old Max Bretzfeld parachutes into Germany during World War II with a mission to infiltrate the Funkhaus, the Nazi radio and propaganda center. His secret goal, however, is to find his missing parents. While in Germany, Max is aided by a kind anti-Nazi pastor, faces off with Nazi sympathizers, learns that a high-ranking Nazi spy hates Hitler, and has a meal with Hitler himself. Max also befriends Freddie, the unpopular son of a Nazi, and is forced to join the Hitler Youth with Freddie in order to maintain his cover. Max is also accompanied by Berg and Stein, magical creatures that assist (and annoy) him throughout his adventure. Eventually, Max’s identity is discovered, and he has just enough time to deliver an important message before escaping back to Britain.
Jewish Content and Values
Jewish Content and Values
- There is a reference to Max's family not eating pork but not keeping kosher, and a reference to how Jews used to celebrate Simchat Torah in the streets of the Jewish neighborhood where they were now being killed.
- The Jewish value of pikuah nefesh, or saving a life, is central to the story. Two characters who outwardly support the Nazis secretly oppose them and put themselves at great personal risk in order to help Jews, and Max puts his own life in danger to help defeat the Nazis.
- As with many books set during World War II, most of the Jewish content is focused on antisemitism and the Holocaust.
Content Advisory
Content Advisory
Max discovers that his father was murdered, and his mother was forced to bury him. There is a brief and difficult description of the concentration camps, including Jews having to strip naked and a description of different ways in which Nazis killed Jews. Max must hide that he is circumcised, and he is mocked by the Hitler Youth and accused of being a Jew in one scene, followed by a violent fight between the youth. Hitler is portrayed as a character, with dialogue, and discussion as to why ordinary people went along with his evil policies may be confusing for some kids.
