Newbery medalist Cynthia Voigt presents a rollicking mystery in three acts!
Max's parents are missing. They are actors, and thus unpredictable, but sailing away, leaving Max with only a cryptic note, is unusual even for them. Did they intend to leave him behind? Have they been kidnapped?
Until he can figure it out, Max feels it's safer to keep a low profile. Hiding out is no problem for a child of the theater. Max has played many roles, he can be whoever he needs to be to blend in. But finding a job is tricky, no matter what costume he dons.
Ironically, it turns out Max has a talent for finding things. He finds a runaway child, a stray dog, a missing heirloom, a lost love. . . . So is he a finder? A detective? No, it's more. Max finds a way to solve people's problems—he engineers better outcomes for them. He becomes Mister Max, Solutioneer.
Now if only he could find a solution to his own problems . . .
- Used Book in Good Condition
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
Perfect for pre-teen kids who love mystery
By Y. Scott
Grown-ups may think the mysteries Max solve in this book are too simple or too easy, but I disagree with it. I thought they are perfect for children between 9 and 13.In order for young readers to enjoy mysteries, they need to be able to solve problems as the main character does. They need to feel, "I know what happened!", or "I think I can solve it!" as they continue reading. I think Voigt delivered a just right amount of problems and mysteries.I also loved the way 12 year-old Max transferred himself into different personalities to trick grown-ups. That's also fun for young readers.I've already recommend this book to a middle school child. I hope she will enjoy it as much as I did.
32 of 39 people found the following review helpful.
The Not so Mysterious Mister Max
By J. Wiles Parker
Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things introduces middle grade readers to Max Starling, the son of two theater parents. Almost thirteen, Max has grown up playing bit parts in his parents' plays and generally surrounded by the theater. He loves to paint the sky in watercolor and ride his bicycle. When his parents receive a mysterious invitation to travel to India aboard the Flower of Kashmir, Max thinks it is a silly idea, but off his parents go and Max gets left behind setting off a string of misadventures during which Max must put his theater skills to use as well as make a little money to assure his independence.The idea of the book is all right, but Max is rather at an awkward age for what happens to him. He seems younger than his almost thirteen at times, but appears older to everyone (except maybe his grandmother and painting instructor who treat him more or less as an adult anyway) throughout the book. The mystery of what happens to his parents is more or less forgotten as Max tries to make money finding lost things (a dog, a spoon, and some missing library periodicals) in order to convince grandma that he can live on his own. It's all rather a convenient way of getting the parents out of the picture, but they're so absent with so little attempt to locate them that it's almost absurd. Max makes some friends including a few adult folk, but they treat him like an adult to the point that it's easy to forget Max is only twelve going on thirteen until he brings it up or interacts with someone his age. Further, his various deceptions are applauded rather than being frowned upon (the dog plot line in particular is loaded with questionable decisions) in such a way that the author almost is saying that purposeful avoidance of the truth is okay.Anyway, gripes aside, it is a cute idea, but not executed overly well at times in regard to the target age group. There is at least an attempt to set up what is to come as well. This isn't exactly an "I can't wait for the next book" type of read, though. The vocabulary and pacing is somewhat overdone and would frustrate younger readers. Older readers, however, probably wouldn't stick with it for long because of the general lack of consistency in presentation and execution of the mystery elements. The "mysteries" that Max solves are easily solved for the most part (other than that of his parents). Overall, I think it's a lighthearted attempt, but there is so much inconsistency in plotting and characterization that I am unsure what age group it is truly aimed at. Pick up with caution, perhaps.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful.
Potential is There
By Valerie A. Baute
Max's theatrical parents rush out of the country to take a new acting job. Max is supposed to go with them. He misses the boat, because the supposed boat doesn't really exist. Thankfully his grandmother is still nearby to help him. With some odd jobs and his grandmother's help, he is able to somewhat thrive on his own, waiting to hear what has become of his parents.I liked: The writing style, the time period, Max himself and his adventures.I wasn't so sure about: The supposed mystery that took a huge back burner shortly into the story, the way that he seemed so immature yet people treated him like an adult (like they had no idea how old he was.)Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about this book. It was fun to read about his adventures, but I didn't feel like there was really a point to them. There are more books to come, so I hope the story is developed further. The writing was fun, and the character building was great if not confusing (again, people treating Max like they don't realize he is only 12, going on 13) hopefully leading to more answers than questions in the next installment. I cannot think of a specific age or type of child to give this book to, but it was just delightful enough to earn 4 stars to me. I do have high hopes for a 5 star book to follow, but it isn't one I'm desperately waiting to read. I'm kind of worried I will have forgotten it by the time it comes out next year.Free ARC provided through NetGalley
