This was recommended to me by the teacher librarian at our school. I'm planning on using this book as a novel study for my grade 7 class sometime after Christmas, so I wanted to read it myself before then. 
 A quick and easy read, I really enjoyed this story. (Though, on a personal level, I could've used more detail... but I know why it wasn't included.) I'm excited to share this story with my class. 
 Update: 2/9/12 
 My students are absolutely loving this book. We try to read one or two chapters every class, but it's never enough for them! They're always demanding we read just one more chapter. 
 As a teacher, I'm thrilled. My class is full of reluctant readers, so for them to be so enthralled by this novel... well, it's awesome. I love that they're fostering an appreciation for reading and that they just can't wait to find out what happens next. I think I'm going to be adding the sequel Max The Mighty to my list and read it to them as well!