Review: The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1), Cynthia Voigt

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
The Book of Lost Things Cynthia Voigt cover
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.

Cynthia Voigt is an American author of books for young adults dealing with various topics such as adventure, mystery, racism and child abuse.

I have to get this of my chest. This book has an open end and I HATED IT, the open end that is. I read a lot of books by Cynthia Voigt when I was younger and seeing this book pop up I was wondering if it would still be the same magic and it is. I enjoyed reading this book so much. The boyish adventure, the imagination, the simple solutions to world problems. Well at least in Max his world.
Max is an adventurous boy who had a very interesting youth for sure. In the way he makes decisions and the things he does it is clear he did not have your average parents guiding him. It is really funny to read about a boy of twelve just doing thing as Max does. I only see them sitting with phones and lap tops in my mind and wish there are still boys out there with such vivid imagination.
The story line itself is a bit weird. In Max his situation I guess I would have done other things and Grandma is not always making adult decisions either. Still it does make all the adventures fun and unexpected. I will definitely be on the look out for the following books in the series.

The Book of Lost Things
Author: Cynthia Voigt
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
Format: eGalley
ISBN-10: 0307976815
ISBN-13: 9780307976819
Series: Mister Max #1
Publisher: various
The Book of Lost Things

4 star review

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13 September, 2013 delete

Is the ending open ended because it will be continued with the series? Most times I love ambiguous endings but sometimes they're so irritating! And it really bugs me how attached to devices kids can be! What happened to play time?

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Ciska
AUTHOR
15 September, 2013 delete

It was indeed left open as an "to be continued" which is not forcefully bothersome but I was really engaged and would have loved to continue reading :)

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Melinda
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16 September, 2013 delete

Maybe there will be another book :)

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Isi
AUTHOR
19 September, 2013 delete

I didn't know this author, but the books seems like a great read for young people!
I'm sorry for that open end, it is very disappointing when it happens, I agree.

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