Middle Grade Monday: Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

Image: Penguin Random House

Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce. 282 p. Crown Books for Young Readers/ Random House Children's Books, January, 2019. 9781101931080. (Review of purchased copy.)

Max is apprenticed to an uncle who is an untalented bard. Max would rather be apprenticed to a knight but this is the Middle Ages (presumably) and children are destined to follow in the family line of work. When Uncle Budrick is captured by an evil king, Max gathers a posse of helpers interested in doing good and plans a rescue.

This humorous adventure moves apace and has a few cool surprises in store for readers. Fans of the author/ cartoonist won't be disappointed. 

Just last week, as I surveyed my collection of nearly destroyed Big Nate books, I wondered if Peirce had anything new. Low and behold, I missed this January release. More and more of my students are asking for graphic novel hybrids, so it's great to have something new to add to the shelf. If it's the beginning of a series, even better. Max and the Midknights should have wide appeal. Definitely worth adding to any school, public and classroom library.