How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Assignment Four

Thinking back to grades five and six, I remember one of my favorite teachers setting aside a time to read to us everyday. Normally, it is expected that no one would pay attention to this so-called "story time." However, the novel, Maximum Ride had everyone sitting straight up staring intently at the teacher, listening to the words easily roll off her tongue and out of her mouth.

James Patterson's novel is a story about a "flock" of humans that have been held captive for the majority of their lives, and are held subject to a series of experiments in a secret lab called, The School. However the twist is that they all have been genetically mutated and now possess wings, along with their other human features.

With the help of their father figure, Jeb, the flock escapes from being in cages and fly off in search of a brighter future. This extended metaphor involving their literal flight from the prison illustrates the freedom they now have. I made the connection that the genetic mutations that they have are not curses, but blessings. It gives the family a freedom and openness that no one else has. The flock soon find themselves facing a whole new world on their own and no longer have to be experimented on and trapped by their adversaries.

Max and her family must go on a rescue mission to save their little sister, Angel, without completely showing the world their genetic mutations. However, Max is a strong, open-minded, and highly intelligent girl. She soars throughout the novel in search of her little sister in hopes of saving her and setting her family free for good.