Name: The Book of Lost Things
Author: Cynthia Voigt

Category: Review

Max Starling's theatrical father likes to say that at twelve a boy is independent. He also likes to boast (about his acting skills, his wife's acting skills, a fortune only his family knows is metaphorical), but more than anything he likes to have adventures. Max Starling's equally theatrical mother is not a boaster but she enjoys a good adventure as much as her husband. When these two disappear, what can sort-of-theatrical Max and his not-at-all theatrical grandmother do? They have to wait to find out something, anything, and to worry, and, in Max's case, to figure out how to earn a living at the same time as he maintains his independence. This is the first of three books, all featuring the mysterious Mister Max.

I found The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1) by Cynthia Voigt to be an interesting and entertaining read after I got past the beginning. I may just not be used to Middle Grade (MG) books with such a high and full vocabulary, but after it got going, I saw it worked.

Voigt was able to paint quite a full picture of young Max’s efforts to be independent after his parents left (went missing). Max helped a lot of other people along his journey which was nice to see.

While not being able to recommend the book to a reluctant reader, average or experienced readers will enjoy it. The story was well written, and each chapter’s end almost demanded further exploration of the next chapter and the next and so on.

I look forward to reading book 2 and 3 of the trilogy.

The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1)

The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1)

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