Mister Max - by Cynthia Voigt (Paperback)

About the Book

In the first of a rollicking mystery series by a Newbery Medalist, Max Starling's parents are missing. Over the course of three books, Max will find them, and embark on a daring rescue. Max lives by his own wits, inventing a job for himself as "the solutioneer." Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

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 . . .

Review Quotes

New York Times Book Review, September 15, 2013:
"The charm, the quirkiness, the quiet originality of The Book of Lost Things are immensely appealing to those of us who love the classic possibilities and styles of children's literature."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, April 10, 2013: "An endearing, memorable protagonist and a clever plot make this a winner."

Review, Publishers Weekly, July 8, 2013:
"Voigt's accomplished writing draws readers into every aspect of [Max's] world."

Review, School Library Journal, July 2013:
"Max displays good sense, a sensitive nature, and winning ingenuity... [a] comedic page-turner."

The Christian Science Monitor:
"A perfect read-aloud, the story will appeal to fans of fantasy, adventure, mystery, and humor."

About the Author

CYNTHIA VOIGT is the acclaimed author of many books, including Dicey's Song, winner of the Newbery Medal, and A Solitary Blue, winner of a Newbery Honor, and Homecoming. For the body of her work, Cynthia Voigt was honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults. She lives with her husband in Maine.