Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt

Max and his parents are going to India to set up a theater for the Maharaja.  The whole family is excited, packs their bags, and gets ready to head to sea.  Max goes for one last painting lesson, then bicycles down to the dock.  When he can't find the ship, he gets concerned and checks with the harbormaster.  He's told the ship he's seeking was never in port, nor are any of them going to India.  But they do have a message from his parents.  Apparently his parents have left without him!

Alfred A Knopf and Net Galley allowed me to read this ebook for review (thank you).  It will be published September 10th, so watch for it at your local bookstore.

Max is lucky enough to have his grandmother living next door, so he returns home to surprise her with the news.  Part of the reason he was being allowed to go on this trip is because he is twelve and is learning to be independent, but being independent isn't much fun when you have no earnings.  Max's first goal is to find a job.  He's having no luck in his search when a job finds him.  A young lost child who doesn't talk much finds him and wants him to take him to his Mom.

This is an easy tale with various twists and turns.  Max doesn't locate his parents (another book is coming, I'm sure), but he makes new friends, solves problems, and generally has a good time doing it.  He has a theatrical background and dresses for the various parts:  a dogcatcher, a British gentleman, and even a female maid.  It's all in good fun and everyone is satisfied with his solutions.  Now if he could just find his parents...

Happy reading.