The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt

I have read blog posts from several reviewers who wonder about the audience for this book suggesting it might appeal more to adults than children but I disagree. The Homecoming and Dicey's Song are the books that, in my early days of working in a school library, convinced me I wanted to read children's books for the rest of my life! In past posts I have talked about her Tillerman series. Cynthia Voigt is a very famous, a very skilled and a much loved author. I somehow stumbled on this book perhaps on a book list? It was first published in 2013 but the Mister Max series are completely new to me. It is Pia who gives Max his new job title - Solutioneer! Needless to say he really needs Pia and her fearless determination to find the truth. She wants to be his friend and his assistant but Max is sure he wants to work alone. In turn this spoon has an important connection with the story of Gabrielle and also Ari. A wealthy Baroness has lost a valuable silver spoon. Max then finds he has a part to play as a detective or finder of lost things. His grandmother employs a young tutor to teach Max mathematics and Max invites this poor student, Ari, to live in his family home paying a small rent and providing maths lessons. He tastes her delicious cakes and discovers she has a tragic past. This mother is in a cafe and there he meets a young pastry chef called Gabrielle. Max finds a lost toddler and returns him to his mother. Each of these are part of a bigger puzzle. There are a series of coincidences which allow Max to make the much needed money. The school will assume Max has gone away with his parents.

In return his grandmother will provide some lessons. Max is only twelve years hold but he agrees to leave school and find employment. She is delighted to help Max and she expects him to stay in her house but she tells Max he will need to find a job because money is short. She is a librarian so she has terrific information seeking skills but she doesn't have very much money.

The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt