I just finished a fairly new children’s book titled Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt, a Newbery award winning author. The plot concerns a 12 year old boy, Max, who is supposed to join his parents, owners of a successful theatre company, on a sea voyage to India in the early 1900’s.. Once there, they have been invited to stay with the maharajah of Kashmir and develop the first acting troupe in his country. However, when Max attempts to meet his parents at the docks, he discovers that there is no ship with the name Flower of Cashmir, no ship leaving for India, and no parents to be found. And so the mystery begins. Fortunately for Max, his Grammie lives next door, (and her occupation is enough to immediately prompt one to order the book!), she is the City Librarian, of course. While Grammie helps Max with research, he realizes, to his amazement, that he is quite adept at finding things, like a lost dog, a valuable spoon, a grand-nephew to name a few. With the help of a friend, he officially becomes a “Solutioneer” to make his way in the world as an independent youth. I enjoyed the story; it is the first of a trilogy, so of course it leaves the reader hanging at the end and waiting for the next title. It’s recommended for grades 4 to 7.
