SOLVED. Children's book about a boy who goes to a floating school (on a boat) after finding a map in a museum? He lives in a shop on a bridge, his math (?) teacher comes to stay because ppl are after him? [s]

[Js700]

The book is about a boy who lives with his uncle (maybe?) in a shop on a bridge. The boy's math teacher—maybe—comes to stay with him and his uncle because the teacher's house burns down. The shop maybe sells doorknobs? Anyway, the boy stumbles into a mystery—he goes to a nearby historical society or museum where there are these evil old ladies who try and lock him up. He finds a map or something that takes him on an adventure—he goes out to sea on a boat where he takes classes and maybe learns fencing and ends up in china? I seem to remember the book was British—published within the last 10 years. Any help would be great!

[Kris]

This book first published in 2006 only matches part of your description - Fergus Crane (Far-Flung Adventures) by Paul Stewart.

[Js700]

Thanks, Kris, but that's not it! I distinctly remember the boy only has one male guardian (though I can't remember if it's an uncle or a father or just a friend of the family).

[Js700]

Any more guesses on this one? I believe there was a later a sequel to the book. I read it a few years ago, so it's quite recent. I would say age range was about 9-15.

[Cheryl]

Sorry I can't tell from your description - is it fantasy, or more realistic? Does it take place nowadays, or at some other time in history?

[Js700]

It took place in a relatively recent time stream—I can't precisely say when, but modern I think. And not fantasy, but definitely fantastical!

[Cheryl]

Sounds like my kind of book! Be sure to bump this every month or two, and maybe I, or someone else, will have read it in the meantime.

[Js700]

I remember the teacher had some sort of connection to the school the boy went to (it was part of his family, or something).

It was definitely a british book as I remember the museum was a national heritage site.

Also, the teacher taught the boy fencing after school..

[Diana]

Maybe Alex and the Ironic Gentleman?

Pros:
Protagonist lives with uncle above doorknob shop
Boats
Mystery
Teacher

Cons:
Protagonist is really a girl

[Js700]

Oh yes! That's it!! It's funny that a girl named "Alex" got confused in my memory with a boy protagonist. Thanks Diana! This has been driving me crazy!!

[Diana]

I'm glad that was it! So many of the details seemed to fit that I'd have been surprised if it wasn't.