Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES • Join Max's quest to become a knight in this laugh-filled, New York Times bestselling adventure from the author of the Big Nate series! "Max is epic fun!" --JEFF KINNEY, New York Times bestselling author of the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series Max wants to be a knight! Too bad that dream is about as likely as finding a friendly dragon. But when Max's uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the cruel King Gastley, Max has to act...and fast! Joined by a band of brave adventurers--the Midknights--Max sets out on a thrilling quest: to save Uncle Budrick and restore the realm of Byjovia to its former high spirits! Magic and (mis)adventures abound in this hilarious illustrated novel from the New York Times bestselling creator of the Big Nate series, Lincoln Peirce. "Fantastic! I loved it!" --DAV PILKEY, New York Times bestselling author of the DOG MAN series