The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride 1) by James Patterson

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Description edit see section history

In James Patterson's blockbuster series, fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world.

She and the other 5 members of the "Flock" -- Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel -- are just like ordinary kids -- only they have wings and can... read more

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

The Angel Experiment is about 6 kids with wings. They are all 98% human and 2% avian hybrid, in other words bird. The "flock" was raised in a horrid place called "The School". Eventually, they escape only to be hunted down by horrible creatures, called erasers. These six kids show remarkable... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Characters edit see section history

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Maximum Ride (a.k.a. Max): The leader of the Flock due to her seniority over the others, Max is a 14-year-old girl who is just trying to keep her famliy together. Strong, sarcastic, and very loving towards her Flock.
Fang: Part of the flock, the second in command after Max.
Iggy (a.k.a. Ig): Part of the flock, is also blind.
Nudge: A talkative eleven-year-old girl with a cute, bubbly personality.
The Gasman (a.k.a. Gazzy): Part of the Flock. Angel's brother.
Angel: Part of the Flock. The youngest in the group and can read other peoples minds.
"The Voice": A mysterious voice that Max hears inside her head. It claims to love her more than anyone else.It tends to give her massive, pain filled headaches. Gender and age unknown. Usually gives pretty good advice though.
Ari: Jeb Batchelder's son, a forlorn seven-year-old who was genetically enhanced to become an Eraser (part human, part wolf) at the age of three. He always felt that Max was his father's favorite, generating hurt feelings, so he enjoys taking those emotions out on Max and her flock whenever he gets the chance.
Jeb Batchelder: A former Whitecoat who broke Max and her flock out of The School and brought them to a safe haven. He was like the father they never had, but disappeared after a few years and was assumed as dead.
Ella Martinez: Ella is a girl that Max saved from a group of armed boys after Max saw them while flying. Max likes being with Ella and her mother because they make her feel wanted by people outside the flock.
Celeste: Angel's stuffed bear that she persuaded a stranger to get for her. It means the world to her; she will do anything to get it back.
Dr. Martinez: A kindly vet and mother of Ella, and a pro at making chocolate chip cookies. She is one of the few humans whom Max likes.
Total: A dog that befriends Angel.
Erasers: Mutants. Part wolf and part human.
The Whitecoats: Workers at The School

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Quotes edit see section history

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“WARNING:If you dare to read this story, you become part of the Experiment. I know that sounds a little mysterious-but it's all I can say right now.”
Max
“Popcorn for breakfast! Why not? It's a grain. It's like, like grits, but with higher self-esteem.”
Max, in her own thoughts
“Can you giggle while running for your life and protecting a six year old? I can.”
Max in her own thoughts
“Yes, those do appear to be either rats or mice on steroids.”
Max
“She made Bambi eyes at me. You know I can't resist the Bambi eyes.”
Fang
“Let's throw all their stuff in the cannon.”
Iggy
“Was Ari's hair green?”
Max
“Yes. Freaks rule!”
Fang
“That'd be just what I need: a rash of car thefts across America, committed by dedicated readers.”
Max in her own thoughts
“Coke. It's not just for breakfast anymore.”
Fang
“The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.”
Max in her own thoughts
“Can I interest you in a bit of raw desert rat?”
Fang
“Hitchhiking was out of the question -- we'd end up murdered in a ditch or something”
Max in her own thoughts
“Is she punching the steering wheel?”
Iggy
“Man, you weigh a freaking ton. What've you been eating, rocks?”
Fang . . . holding Max . . . flying
“Why? Is your head missing some?”
Max back to Fang
“I still wish you'd let me get 'Bite Me' shaved into the back of my head”
The Gasman (Gazzy)
“All Nudge, all the time.”
Max
“Angel's hand was ripped out of mine and she screamed bloody murder. You think you understand those words--bloody murder? Trust me; you don't.”
Max, in her thoughts
“Max, I'm starving.”
Nudge
“Quit what? Breathing?”
Fang
“Besides, I love you best too.”
Angel
“I feel, like, like pudding! Like pudding with nerve endings! Pudding in GREAT PAIN!”
Iggy
“I must have cookies!”
Max
“Bombs are good. I love bombs.”
Iggy
“We could make traps! Do sabotage! Bombs!”
The Gasman (Gazzy)
“Oh, no - years of Max influence are taking their toll. You sound just like her. You're, like, a Maxlet. A Maxketeer.”
Iggy to Gazzy
“I love Nudge, Nudge is a good kid, but that motormouth of hers could have turned Mother Teresa into an axe murderer”
Max thinking to herself
“Clear vanilla notes, too-sweet chocolate chips, distinct flavor of brown sugar. A decent cookie, not spectacular. Still, a good hearted cookie, not pretentious.”
Max
“Crazy drug addict!!!!”
Fang
“Yes, those do appear to be either rats or mice on steroids.”
Maximum Ridw
“Knowledge is a terrible burden, Max. It's a two-edged sword, it might help you, but it might put you in danger greater than anything you've faced so far.”
the Voice- quite wise!
“you know, Voice, my friends are my world...”
Max
“That's more than 3 questions, Max. And sometimes weather someone is your friend or enemy is all in how you look at it. But if you must know, I consider myself your friend, a good friend who loves you very much. No one loves you more than I do, Maximum. Now listen. I ask the questions, not you. You're just here, for the ride. For the incredible, indescribable Maximum Ride.”
Voice
“Note to self: Stop punching inanimate objects.”
Max
“Holy <insert a swear word of your choice here>.”
Fang
“Will you quit that!?”
Max to Fang
“Remember what I said in the very beginning? now, i'm giving you a choice: you can put the book down now- but you'll just have some of the story. Look other places for more of it. Dig even deeper, and you could become part of it. The web of answers is out there. If you can find the portal. Be careful. And don't say I didn't warn you.”
Max

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Setting & Locations edit see section history

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Various places in the US. Present day.

The School: The lab where Max's flock was genetically modified, though it can refer to any of the White coats' (scientists) institutions across the world.
New York City: The flock flees to New York City to find the Institute for Higher learning, a branch of The School.
Central Park: Where the flock tended to sleep in trees when they arrived in New York City.
Manhattan: New York
Death Valley: This is where the "Institute" is located.
Tipisco: Where Nudge believes her real parents live.
The Institute: An underground place in New York City, connected to The School.

Organizations edit see section history

The Flock: The group of Max, Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, Nudge, and Angel.
The School: A labratory where "mad" scientists ganetically mutate or attempt to enhance humans and other creatures.
Erasers: The nickname for the only successful mutation other than the Flock. These creatures look human, but can morph into a wolfman like state.
The Whitecoats: The scientists who work at The School

First Sentence edit see section history

The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Prologue
Part 1: Flock Fright
Part 2: Hotel California
Part 3: School -- What Could Be Scarier Than That?
Part 4: New Yawk, New Yawk
Part 5: The Voice-Make That My Voice
Part 6: Who's Your Daddy, Who's Your Mama?
Epilogue

Glossary edit see section history

Whitecoats: The scientists that work in the lab known as The School.
Erasers: Half-man half-wolf hybrids that are the minions of the school

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

Theme: Responsibility,Importance of family,Trust,Discovering your true power & Finding yourself.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 8 in Maximum Ride. (standard series)

Followed by School's Out — Forever.

This is book 1 of 3 in Maximum Ride: the Fugitives. (standard series)

Followed by School's Out — Forever.

This is book 192 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2011). (authoritative list)

Preceded by Pretties, and followed by Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

James Patterson (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Little Brown
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2005
ISBN: 0316067954
Page Count: 464

Awards edit see section history

Iowa High School Award (2008, #1)
Gateway Readers Award (2008: Grades 9-12)
ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2005, #6)

Classification edit see section history

Library of Congress: PZ7.P27653 Max 2005
Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Some violence, though this book isn't too bad at all.Ages 9 and above would probably enjoy this book, too. Great themes about loving who you are even with all of your "quirks" strong family and friend bonding.