The Book of Lost Things

This exuberant story, set in the 1890s, features the indomitable 12-year-old Mister Max, who solves mysteries to earn money after his parents go missing. Narrator Paul Boehmer depicts multiple characters of varying ages, classes, and accents, including Max's Grammie--a feisty librarian. Taking a cue from his parents, who are actors, Max dons various disguises and voices to solve his cases, which range from a lost child to a missing valuable spoon and stolen library books. Boehmer also enhances Voigt's superlative text, particularly the adjectives, which Boehmer makes sound just like they should, greatly adding to one's listening pleasure. The conclusion leaves Max and listeners ready for the next installment in the search for his missing parents. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine