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Lost property
I hoped Michael was all right. I'd bring him back, though, if I could find him. What could be more precious, what could be more valuable to my family than Michael? This was going to be so good. Roll on, bus, I cried in my head.
From the outside, Josh's life looks pretty much perfect. He's in a band, he has a gorgeous girlfriend and he does well at school. But Josh's family has been slowly falling apart since his older brother disappeared two years before.
Then Josh comes across a clue to Michael's whereabouts in the Lost Property Office where he's working for the holidays. Determined to put his family back together, and without a word to anyone, Josh too leaves Sydney in a desperate bid to bring his brother home.
From the outside, Josh's life looks pretty much perfect. He's in a band, he has a gorgeous girlfriend and he does well at school. But Josh's family has been slowly falling apart since his older brother disappeared two years before.
Then Josh comes across a clue to Michael's whereabouts in the Lost Property Office where he's working for the holidays. Determined to put his family back together, and without a word to anyone, Josh too leaves Sydney in a desperate bid to bring his brother home.
268 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2005
7 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
James Moloney
54 books193 followersMy full name is James Francis Moloney and I was born in Sydney, Australia on 20 September, 1954. When I was seven years old, my family moved to Brisbane and except for the odd year or two, I have lived in Brisbane ever since. At school, I was into every sport going - cricket, footy, swimming - you name it. It's hard to believe now but in High School, I was a champion Long Jumper! After University I became a teacher and then a Teacher Librarian. I moved around from school to school and in 1977-8 found myself in Cunnamulla, a little "outback" town where many Indigenous Australians live. These turned out to be important years for my writing.
In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.
1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.
In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.
Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.
In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.
1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.
In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.
Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.
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March 11, 2011i will never read it again
March 11, 2011
pritty good
May 13, 2011
bow chick a wow wow bow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wow bow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wowbow chick a wow wow
March 23, 2014
I can see why a school would want it's students to study this book. There are themes such as independence, the questioning of religion and the dangers of illegal substances; all ideal things to inform students about. However, I think the schools come at it with a slight naivety. Almost every child has experienced those themes into their teenage years,often far more so than what the book itself contains. However, it is a simple enough book to dissect for an essay, so I'm not suggesting it be removed from the curriculum any time soon.
Besides that, the book has a plot which feels like is all one very long introduction. I kept expecting something big to happen, for the story to go somewhere, but it was very much just a simple book dealing with simple, every day things. It was written quite well, I'll give it that much, and I think it would be a great read for someone interested in realistic contemporary fiction.
Really it just wasn't my style of book, so my rating comes mainly from the personal enjoyment factor. A warm pat on the back to Moloney for effort.
Besides that, the book has a plot which feels like is all one very long introduction. I kept expecting something big to happen, for the story to go somewhere, but it was very much just a simple book dealing with simple, every day things. It was written quite well, I'll give it that much, and I think it would be a great read for someone interested in realistic contemporary fiction.
Really it just wasn't my style of book, so my rating comes mainly from the personal enjoyment factor. A warm pat on the back to Moloney for effort.
August 15, 2014
I decided to read this novel because it was recommended to me by the school library.
This novel is set in Sydney, Australia. I liked this novel because usually the books I read are set in Maine, Bangor, New Hampshire or generally the UK. It was a different book and I understood it better because its set in a place I use to live. I enjoyed reading about the hot atmosphere and a few of the Australian wildlife that was described.
‘The best things in life are the ones you go out and grab for yourself’I like this quote from the book because it makes sense and there is sort of a self acceptance or should I say respect that you get from doing things yourself rather than letting others do it.
This novel made me think deeply about nothing. Books dont have to make you think deeply about someting Mr Stewart.
This novel is set in Sydney, Australia. I liked this novel because usually the books I read are set in Maine, Bangor, New Hampshire or generally the UK. It was a different book and I understood it better because its set in a place I use to live. I enjoyed reading about the hot atmosphere and a few of the Australian wildlife that was described.
‘The best things in life are the ones you go out and grab for yourself’I like this quote from the book because it makes sense and there is sort of a self acceptance or should I say respect that you get from doing things yourself rather than letting others do it.
This novel made me think deeply about nothing. Books dont have to make you think deeply about someting Mr Stewart.
March 11, 2011
good book
March 25, 2011
One of the worst books in the history of literature. Major DISAPPOINTMENT :(
December 30, 2019
Do you want to read a book written by a very clearly adult man trying to sound like a teenager, well this is the book for you, can you rate something lower than one star, I despise this.
I had to study this book as part of a course for uni, this isn’t an issue, I was looking forward to reading it, hell yeah studying a book is always a good assignment. But from skimming the other reviews, it seems to be common study material and it hurts me to see that.
This was a pile of trash, as someone who has frequented many of the locations in the book, the whiny little boy main character can get a whole lot of common Aussie swear words in his face. I will not I am writing this review purely off the memory of how much I loathed this book.
Michael thinks his life sucks, he’s a teenage boy who lives in the terrible drab middle class area of the north shore region of Sydney, his dad only owns a car dealership and is a retired NRL player if I recall. This is the middle class suburban life of a well to do family. No one who owns la house (large family house with a pool and I’m pretty sure he goes to a private school as well) within an hour of the city is middle class, let alone his fathers career, that screams ‘we just make do’ doesn’t it.
Michaels biggest problems in life are that he works at central station in lost property cause I guess his fam won’t just buy him musical equipment for his band. That he has a really hot girlfriend but there’s a new girl in town and she’s hotter so he wants to date her. And then the actual plot of the story, his older brother left the family without notice and they don’t know what happened.
I loathe the privilege that reeks from this book poor little Michael who was my age at the time I read this his life is so hard, in modern Australia as a teen with working parents who own their home in a nice place living comfortably, that his education has the dollars behind it to not suck, that he was able to find and Aquire a job without much effort or interest on his part and how terrible it is that he actually has a chance to earn his own money, that his girlfriend is hot but not as hot as the other girl who’s into him, and that his brother isn’t around. Maybe you can tell by my tone, his life isn’t hard at all, I only lived an hour and a half outside of Sydney in a high population area, and let me tell you Australia and Australia’s youth would be spoilt to have those as problems.
And that’s just my raging hatred of the plot What makes it really Unforgivable is the way it’s written, Michael thinks And talks like a 40-60 year old man vaguely trying to sound young, and it’s just incredibly grating.
I had to study this book as part of a course for uni, this isn’t an issue, I was looking forward to reading it, hell yeah studying a book is always a good assignment. But from skimming the other reviews, it seems to be common study material and it hurts me to see that.
This was a pile of trash, as someone who has frequented many of the locations in the book, the whiny little boy main character can get a whole lot of common Aussie swear words in his face. I will not I am writing this review purely off the memory of how much I loathed this book.
Michael thinks his life sucks, he’s a teenage boy who lives in the terrible drab middle class area of the north shore region of Sydney, his dad only owns a car dealership and is a retired NRL player if I recall. This is the middle class suburban life of a well to do family. No one who owns la house (large family house with a pool and I’m pretty sure he goes to a private school as well) within an hour of the city is middle class, let alone his fathers career, that screams ‘we just make do’ doesn’t it.
Michaels biggest problems in life are that he works at central station in lost property cause I guess his fam won’t just buy him musical equipment for his band. That he has a really hot girlfriend but there’s a new girl in town and she’s hotter so he wants to date her. And then the actual plot of the story, his older brother left the family without notice and they don’t know what happened.
I loathe the privilege that reeks from this book poor little Michael who was my age at the time I read this his life is so hard, in modern Australia as a teen with working parents who own their home in a nice place living comfortably, that his education has the dollars behind it to not suck, that he was able to find and Aquire a job without much effort or interest on his part and how terrible it is that he actually has a chance to earn his own money, that his girlfriend is hot but not as hot as the other girl who’s into him, and that his brother isn’t around. Maybe you can tell by my tone, his life isn’t hard at all, I only lived an hour and a half outside of Sydney in a high population area, and let me tell you Australia and Australia’s youth would be spoilt to have those as problems.
And that’s just my raging hatred of the plot What makes it really Unforgivable is the way it’s written, Michael thinks And talks like a 40-60 year old man vaguely trying to sound young, and it’s just incredibly grating.
February 12, 2021
‘That’s what the Lost Property Office is for, to get lost things back to their owners.’
Seventeen-year-old Josh Tambling is working at the Central Station Lost Property Office in Sydney for part of his school holidays. From the outside, Josh has everything going for him: caring parents, he’s part of a band, has a lovely girlfriend and is doing well at school. But his family is suffering.
Josh’s older brother Michael left home two years ago, and the only family member he will speak with is Josh. Why did Michael leave? And where is he?
Working with Clive in the Lost Property Office gives Josh a different perspective on the importance of items to people. Some of the people he meets have lost small but significant items, things that matter to them and define (in part) their relationship with the world. So how much bigger, then, is the loss of Michael to Josh’s family?
Josh finds a clue to Michael’s whereabouts and heads north from Sydney (while ostensibly on a trip with school friends) to find Michael. He wants to bring Michael home.
This YA novel deals with several important issues around identity and boundaries. Josh learns to find his own place in the world, while respectfully moving away from the religious practices of his parents.
I enjoyed this thought-provoking novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Seventeen-year-old Josh Tambling is working at the Central Station Lost Property Office in Sydney for part of his school holidays. From the outside, Josh has everything going for him: caring parents, he’s part of a band, has a lovely girlfriend and is doing well at school. But his family is suffering.
Josh’s older brother Michael left home two years ago, and the only family member he will speak with is Josh. Why did Michael leave? And where is he?
Working with Clive in the Lost Property Office gives Josh a different perspective on the importance of items to people. Some of the people he meets have lost small but significant items, things that matter to them and define (in part) their relationship with the world. So how much bigger, then, is the loss of Michael to Josh’s family?
Josh finds a clue to Michael’s whereabouts and heads north from Sydney (while ostensibly on a trip with school friends) to find Michael. He wants to bring Michael home.
This YA novel deals with several important issues around identity and boundaries. Josh learns to find his own place in the world, while respectfully moving away from the religious practices of his parents.
I enjoyed this thought-provoking novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
July 31, 2017
A no-nonsense first-person narrative that deals with some of the pressures of growing up, set in Australia.
August 24, 2013
I picked up this book because James Moloney wrote the excellent Book of Lies series for younger readers. This story is definitely more for teenagers, dealing with girlfriends and difficult family relationships, even hinting at but never quite getting to first sexual encounters.
As I worked my way through the first half I found it not especially compelling, although there were some nice moments. The second half of the book, where the missing brother is located, is far more interesting and the ending is quite moving. So overall I was pretty happy with this novel. I thought as a teenage novel it was pretty good, because it deals with more adult themes while still being an interesting and thought provoking book you'd probably be happy for your teenager to read.
As I worked my way through the first half I found it not especially compelling, although there were some nice moments. The second half of the book, where the missing brother is located, is far more interesting and the ending is quite moving. So overall I was pretty happy with this novel. I thought as a teenage novel it was pretty good, because it deals with more adult themes while still being an interesting and thought provoking book you'd probably be happy for your teenager to read.
July 8, 2013
I thought it was alright. It wasn't my kind of book. It was intresting, but predictable, I knew what was going to happen before I even finished it. If you like familyr real life stuff, then this book would be up your alley. I'm not much of a realistic book person. I rather read something supernatural and fictional. Something unpredictable and something to get my teeth into. Although, it did have a good storyline, I didn't like it as much. Sure it got an award as best children book,I think adults would like it more, but that's my opinion.
January 3, 2015
Haven't read Moloney before but have heard much of the quality of novels like "Dougie" and "Gracie", which are taught in many middle school English programmes. This was recommended to me by a librarian in a big private school here in Brisbane and she was on the money. Very accessible, well written and interesting characters and storyline. I wish they were teaching it at my daughter's school in preference to the one that they are. A good example of its genre.
March 16, 2011
Surprisingly good book that i had to read in class for our english review. I rate it extremely well and enjoyed this book greatly. I thought it would be another boring and obviously annoying book however it surprised me and i enjoyed it thoroughly
January 2, 2015
I had to read this for my pre requisite course at uni and it wasn't too crash hot! Sure it had the underlying concepts but it felt like they picked a book at random and tried desperately to make it fit with the class topic!
May 19, 2016
The best part about this book was the expression of main themes including female representations and suburbia in Australia; it conveyed a view which reinforced renowned stereotypes. However, personally, I did not enjoy the plot line or writing. An average book; not horrible and not outstanding.
March 11, 2011
good book lol jks
March 11, 2011
It was prity good
March 11, 2011
i would not recommend this book to anyone because i think it was poorly written, i would not burrow this book unless it was compulsory which it was
March 11, 2011
The storey line was well written but the characters and plot was alright.
Read
March 25, 2011it was boring
December 8, 2012
I started reading this to help my brother with his essay. I am addicted to it.
April 2, 2013
this book was surprisingly good, I thought it was going to be horrible, it's ones of my favourite books we had to do for our English assignment.
April 11, 2013
The characters were bland and the writing wasn't really to my taste - it all seemed a bit juvenile and I felt like the author didn't really nail the 'voice' of the narrator.
August 17, 2013
I thought it was good. It has quite a few relatable characters, feelings and situations. :) Great read for a school assignment.
February 19, 2014
This is an excellent book with a lot of importance it is about a family that lost a bios named Michael
May 20, 2016
Not amazing, but not completely unreadable. It was just 'meh'.
October 15, 2025
This book surprised me. I read it because I was bored but this story was so interesting! The perspective of the protagonist was more relatable than I expected.
March 11, 2011
it was ok
Read
March 16, 2011Grate book can not book down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews