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. They are at war for the control of Floor but little do they know there is something much bigger that could mean the end of their civilisation. Finally, this novel would work as an example material to scaffold pupils work: the dual narrative nature of the book would be highly useful to explore with a class.

MAX AND THE MILLIONS | Kirkus Reviews

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 story opens with Mr Darrow (the school janitor, a model maker and creator of the miniature world that Max ends up attempting to save). These messages are made very explicit by Max and Luke's attempts to bring together the three floor tribes but, fortunately, the surreal storyline prevents this sounding in any way preachy. While Max and his new friend Sasha fight to protect the Floor from their evil headmaster, Luke must fight to save it from being destroyed by all-out war.Each pack carefully analyses the vocabulary used by authors, chapter by chapter, then provides an explanation of these unfamiliar or meaning-rich words in context. I would recommend the book to someone who likes sculptures and appreciates that the smallest person should still get a second chance. Max, a hard of hearing boy attends a boarding school where he feels none of the pupils or staff understand him.

Max and the Millions by Ross Montgomery | Waterstones

Max and the Millions by Ross Montgomery begins by introducing one of the unlikely heroes of the story - a school caretaker with more than just a knack for building intricate models of anything and everything. It was fun, imaginative and, at moments, deeply touching, covering themes such as the value of paying attention to detail, seeing things from other perspectives to build shared understanding, finding friendship and comraderie in unlikely places and being courageous enough to follow your heart. I enjoyed the story for what it is, a silly, light hearted children's book; but for a story all about looking at the little things and the importance of detail, I hoped there would be more of just that. He’s also clearly neglected to ensure Max’s peers understand how to foster normal, meaningful relationships with someone who happens to be deaf. Darrow fixes one of Max’s aids so that he hears better in that ear (including things he’s never heard before) and can pick up radio.

This is the story of Max, who is deaf and attends a boarding school, as he discovers an incredible miniature civilisation (created by his school caretaker) who are desperately in need of his help (which I think is such a cool concept! Max's size gives him a new stature to the Floor people, their world is seen as something tiny and insignificant by some full-size characters. The historical documents of the Floor are great satire, the story of the warring factions and their place within Max's world gives a new perspective on his own problems. The power goes to his head and, despite his friend Ivy's warnings, he forgets the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you - with disastrous consequences.

Max and the Millions | BookTrust

While some of the details are inconsistently presented, much of the worldbuilding is deliciously clever.I especially loved how receptive Sasha was to some of these things and the little nods to how the two boys adapted their communication to ensure both understood each other. Summary: A totally off-the-wall story that combines a fast moving plot with some great characterisation and truly wonderful scenes. There is lots of action, both in Max’s world and in the land of Floor, as the story switches between the points of view.

Max and the Millions by Ross Montgomery Max and the Millions by Ross Montgomery

It introduces an amzing storyline right from the beginning to keep any reader carrying on and shows all the fantastic elements every story needs to make you carry on. I read this as a librarian but would try it with my 7-year-old in a year or two, I think some of the humour is a little old for him just yet. Find out about the latest book in the 'Girl, Missing' series, Secret Sister, in this short video by author Sophie McKenzie. Once the magic comes into play, the deafness remains realistic, but the hearing aids take on magical qualities through the ministrations of 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.If you enjoyed this, I'd strongly recommend that you check out Ross Montgomery's other mad cap stories.