Max Tilt: Fire the Depths (Max Tilt, 1)

very interesting bookhas a bunch of adventure and is totally clean fit for ages 9 and above.i love this book so much

Twelve-year-old Max Tilt’s life is slowly falling apart. His mother’s cancer has returned and his father can’t work because of her condition. When Max’s parents leave to start her treatments, they put Max’s older, Canadian cousin, Alex, in charge. But as soon as Alex arrives, she and Max uncover a mountain of unpaid bills that will lead to their eviction. Desperately searching the house for items to sell, Alex and Max find a lost manuscript left by their famous ancestor, Jules Verne. Verne’s manuscript reveals that his science-fiction tales were based on Verne’s own experiences and that he left a treasure for his descendants if they can decipher the clues he left behind.Lerangis proves he is a master of middle-grade fantasy with his heart-racing, new series based on the works of Jules Verne. Lerangis weaves a unique twist to his tantalizing tale by bringing up the fact that the fantastical technology Verne described in his stories was eventually invented. In other words, science-fiction became reality. So why not apply it to Verne’s personal life? Lerangis plunges Verne’s legends into a modern story to prove that Verne’s fiction was fact. Lerangis’ adventure is told through the synesthesia-suffering, intelligent tween, Max, and his spunky, courageous cousin, Alex. Readers will cheer on the cousins as they piece together the Verne’s puzzles while avoiding doom, gloom, and bad smells. A great series for newbie or seasoned Verne fans, ages 12 and up.(Review found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)

Although a little derivative, it's all Lerangis. Keeps moving, down right silly at places, but if you're not familiar with Jules Verne it will make you want to know more.

When thirteen year old Max (great great great grandson of Jules Verne) and his cousin, Alex, stumble upon one of Jules unfinished works while cleaning the attic looking for things to sell, Max's family needed help to save their house and fast. Well Max and Alex decide to follow the clues in the book, but they need money and help, is this guy Spencer Niemand the one to help them or the one to hurt them the most, and who is he?I have read all kinds of books where authors take the reader on trips back in time, historical fiction. Or they write a book in a way to teach the reader one thing or another, but I believe this is the first book I have read that had been written, at least for middle graders, to teach them about a classic book, and it was a really fun awesome book. (Hint: Libraries if you don't have it now stock up on a few 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, you are going to need them.) Peter Lerangis does not disappoint with this awesome race against time, nature, and humans, the action is non stop and the suspense is thick, but you will always find yourself rooting for the underdogs on this the ultimate race.

Everybody should read this it really is an excellent important novel of Jules Verne on and does anybody know how to get rid of face eczemaI've had it for ten going on eleven years and I hate it

I love intelligent, fast-paced adventure stories for any age, but particularly middle grade fiction, and this is right up there with the best. A mystery with clues to solve from Jules Verne himself; a terrific pair of questers--Max who is "on the spectrum" and loathe to step out of routine, and his older cousin Amy who is, well, an adorable and indomitable flake; a wild-ride of adventure including a submarine city, an ice-cave in Greenland, a giant squid attack, and a desert island; and a villain who is at times funny, brave, and yet ultimately brutal. A great start to what promises to be a marvelous series.

I listened to the audio version of this book....the narrator Jonathan McClain does a fantastic job of bringing it to life. A great adventure for YA and a charming read for adults. As an adult I loved this book and found it gave me the same cozy feeling I got while reading Harry Potter. I suppose the author wouldn't care for the comparison, but I need some sort of measurement to relay how good this novel is. It stands tall on it's own merit. Can't wait for the next in the series. Highly recommend.

This is an enchanting, captivating book -- great for kids, fun even for adults... along the lines of Harry Potter. The tale is an exciting and convincing sequel to "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." If Jules Verne were alive today, he would be proud to see this book on the shelf alongside his masterpiece.