Blog Post #5

Title: Maximum Ride (The Angel Experiment)
Author: James Patterson

   "Maximum Ride (The Angel Experiment)" by James Patterson is about these six kids: Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel who is made up scientists in a place called School. Max and the five others were created by combining human and avian DNA; so, they can fly. They used to live in cages and the scientists would torture them like they were an experiment until two years ago, they escape-all six of them. Now they were living on their own, but that's not the end. The Eraser as they called it, is part human and part wolf, and mostly Max and the five of them are their main prey. Even though they were trained to fight, but the Erasers were much stronger than them. The youngest of the group, Angel is recaptured and the rest fly back to School to rescue her as well as going across the country to find their true parents and identity. Family is an important theme in the book.

 In the beginning of the story, Max and the others were morphed in to a family unit. "The six of us- me, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel-were made on purpose by the sickest, most horrible "scientists" you could possibly imagine. They created us as an experiment. An experiment where we ended up only 98% human and the other 2% had a big impact, let me tell you." (2). in the quotation, Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel were made, and not blood related. Ever since they had escaped from the School, they depend on each other even though they are not related. After Jeb, their supposedly father had die, they were off to themselves. Everyone worked together to make living possible. For example, every morning Max makes the breakfast, and Fang helps him, and Angel picks the strawberries someday to make cakes. Throughout the story, Family came up as an important theme in the story.

 When Angel is recaptured by the Erasers, Max and the others work together to rescue her."But actually, Nudge, Fang, and I are going to look after Angel. You and Gasman- I need you to stay here. Hold down the fort. On the off chance Angel escapes and makes her way home" (34). They decided to split up in the benefit for Angel and that was the plan they came up with- Max, Nudge, and Fang was going to find Angel and Iggy and Gasman stay here hold down the fort for when she comes back. The fact that Max is even thinking of saving her shows how much he and the rest of the others care for her. The School is guarded with strong and furious Erasers who if seen, will tear them apart. Even though the quest is dangerous and they might kill themselves, they still want to try because Angel is a part of their family, even if they are not related. Family is an important theme throughout the story.

When they finally rescue Angel and had successfully escaped from the School, they are on a journey to find their parents. Angel had noticed that they were real babies born from real human mothers. "I heard that Nudge and Fang's mom and dad thought she had died. But she hadn't...Iggy's mom was dead when he was born...Angel and Gasman's parents gave them to the School... I didn't hear anything about Max. Nothing." (222-223). As soon as they knew they were not made, they were off set to find their parents, but it's strange that nothing had been heard about Max. Even when in New York City they did not find any files about his parents while the rest of the five did. At that point, Max could have just left and abandon them because they all found their parents and where they are, but he didn't. Max knew that he had to find their parents for them even if it meant dying himself. He was the leaser and nothing could have been more than seeing his family so happy. Family is an important theme throughout the book.

 Throughout the book, family is an important theme throughout the book. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel did not abandon each other. When the youngest Angel was captured, everyone was set to save her even if its danger for themselves. When they found out they had parents, Max did not leave them considering the fact that him, himself did not have any information on his parents. I think that everyone needed each and every one of them. Without one member, it seems like something is missing. They had been together for years and even if they are not related, nothing is going to break them up. Family is an important theme in the book.