Although distant in age, Max and Liesel share a tendency for nightmares and an affinity for books.

FORBES: Reading: The Book Thief

Max Shatto, adopted from a Russian orphanage, died in January age three, soon after Russia banned US adoptions.

BBC: Max Shatto: Texas prosecutor declines charges in death

Max and Yves hooked up (by e-mail) after Max completed his first book, Macromedia Flash: Super Samurai--at age 15.

FORBES: Flash Kid

His accomplice, who was also white, was described as being of a similar age, wearing a dark hooded top, jeans and white Nike Air Max trainers.

BBC: Police probe two RS McColl robberies in Glasgow

Haddie, their teen-age daughter, was pressured into babysitting, and everyone was resentful, particularly Max, who struggles with any changes to his routine.

NEWYORKER: Warming Trend

Update: Max, partner Yves Darbouze and their global team of ten Web designers--average age 23, none of whom has ever met the others--have signed up a new client: Stevie Wonder. (This in addition to Bad Boy Records and Microsoft.) Max and Yves are picking up clients like crazy.

FORBES: The Cheap Decade