Patterson's next series marks 'most important work he's ever done'

Penguin Random House has bought a new children’s series, about a girl genius called Max Einstein, by James Patterson.

Patterson teamed up with the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to create the series, which follows the adventures of Max and a group of children who solve problems using STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills.

“These books are the most important work I’ve ever done,” said Patterson. “They’re an accessible, fun way to engage kids – particularly girls, who are too often dissuaded from pursuing their interest in science – in an adventure that weaves science, technology and history. Max is a heroine for the modern age, and I’m honoured to have been selected by the Einstein Archives to bring her story to young readers everywhere.”

Susan Sandon, m.d. of Cornerstone, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Robert Barnett at Williams & Connolly and will publish the series as part of the Young Arrow imprint.

The first book, Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment, will be published in October this year with the second in the series coming in October 2019.

Dr Roni Grosz, curator of the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: “Armed with just a pencil and paper, Einstein changed the world forever. His true genius lay in his unbridled curiosity about the universe around him and his concern and empathy for all of its inhabitants. The Hebrew University is excited to have gifted storyteller James Patterson pen an adventure series that will thrill a new generation of Einstein fans throughout the world.”