BookPath
Home/Authors/James Patterson/Max Einstein Series

Max Einstein Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby James Patterson
4 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Max Einstein Series by James Patterson with "Max Einstein", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Follows Max Einstein, an orphaned genius, who teams up with a group of other gifted kids to solve global problems.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 4 main titles released between 2018 and 2021. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

Is this helpful?
Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Max Einstein"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Begin Reading Path →
Audible VersionBest for commuting

Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The overwhelming consensus points to foundational epic fantasy being the essential starting point and recommended reading order. J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is consistently cited as the 'grand-daddy' and the necessary beginning for anyone serious about the genre. Following this, the next recommended step is often a sprawling epic like The Wheel of Time. Memory, Sorrow and Thorn is also heavily recommended for understanding the transition from Tolkien to modern fantasy (Grimdark/ASOIAF influence)."

Key Reddit Advice

The mandatory starting point is J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (or The Hobbit), as it is the undisputed founder of the genre. After this foundation, the recommended sequence often progresses to The Wheel of Time or Earthsea, followed by modern essentials like The First Law (as a counterpoint to classic epic) or The Broken Earth Trilogy. Malazan is recommended, but with the caveat that it is difficult and highly unique.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Max Einstein Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Max Einstein Series. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Max Einstein" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Max Einstein Series" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Max Einstein"Explore all by James Patterson

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order4 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Max Einstein

Pub: 2018★ 4.5

A genius orphan assembles a team of brilliant young scientists to solve global problems and thwart a shadowy organization bent on world domination.

2

Max Einstein Saves The Future

Pub: 2020★ 5

Plot details hidden until you finish "Max Einstein".

The world's #1 bestselling author has teamed up with the world's most famous genius to entertain, educate and inspire a generation of kids--with the first and only kids' book series officially approved by the Albert Einstein Archives. Albert Einstein + James Patterson = A Must Read! Max is back with a thrilling new adventure that involves time travel, creepy bad guys, killer drones, and a shocking mystery about her past that she will stop at nothing to solve! Under constant danger of being kidnapped by the shadowy Corporation, Max is on the run from New York to London and beyond. But soon the call comes for the Change Maker kids' next mission: make sure no kid ever goes hungry again! If anyone can tackle a problem this big, Max and her genius friends can. But mysterious clues about her past keep distracting Max's focus. She always wanted to know who her parents were and why they abandoned her as a baby. If she manages to build a time machine, she could find them and get all the answers! What's more important - her past, or the future of the Change Makers?

3

Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports

Pub: 2007

Plot details hidden until you finish "Max Einstein Saves The Future".

In Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, the time has arrived for Max and her winged "Flock" to face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of "Re-evolution", a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race...and to terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have always worked together to defeat the forces working against them--but can they save the world when they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, halfway across the globe from one another?

4

Max Einstein 4

Pub: 2021

Plot details hidden until you finish "Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports".

Max finally meets her hero, Albert Einstein, as she dashes across glaciers, visits the Great Barrier Reef, and flies a solar-powered jet in a race to stop Global Warming—before it’s too late for Planet Earth.World Champions . . .GET OUTDOORSFrom racing across glaciers in Greenland and flying in a super fancy solar-powered jet to Hawaii, to visiting the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia and hanging out with a robot named Leo, twelve-year-old genius Max and her friends live for adventure.TAKE ACTIONWhenever there's a problem to solve, the kids work better together. So does an evil group of the rich and powerful, who will do whatever it takes to split the kids up—even as the planet is changing before their eyes.NEVER GIVE UPMax has one more surprise in her playbook, and if she's going to pull it off, she needs her team around her. Whoever said that kids can't save the world?

Prefer Listening?

Best if you commute

Get the professional narration of "Max Einstein" free with an Audible trial.

Try Audible →

Own the Physical Copy

Best value option

Add "Max Einstein" to your library. Curated links ensure you get the correct edition.

View on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Max Einstein Series series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Max Einstein Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Max Einstein" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.

Can I read Max Einstein Series books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Max Einstein Series universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.