Dear James Patterson,
Thank you for writing your book, Maximum Ride. It captivated me, and made me realize
the joy of flying.
Before I read your book, I felt like all of my problems were very big and important, but I
realized that my problems are mere ripples in the ocean. Suddenly the annoying sister, the slow
computer, and the dog hair on my bed seem minute and unimportant. For example, Max has to
put up with the realization that people are tracking her down and she may be killed that day. I
would probably go live under a rock if that were happening to me. It made me feel appalled that
people were just categorized as experiments, and then deemed useless and killed. The brutality of
the Director and the Flyboys terrified me.
Yet, at the same time, I felt a small desire to be like Max, and soar above the clouds with
the flock. I felt like nothing could overshadow the thrill of flying above forests with hawks, even
the fear.
The book really made me appreciate having a family and people I can trust. Max would
give anything for someone she could completely trust. She can’t even trust all the members of
her own flock. I feel grateful for people close to me that I can trust with secrets and information.
Your book has given me wings, and I have a bird’s eye view of life.