Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

In one month Jeremy Fink will turn thirteen. But does he have what it
takes to be a teenager? He collects mutant candy, he won't venture more
than four blocks from his apartment if he can help it, and he
definitely doesn't like surprises. On the other hand, his best
friend, Lizzy, isn't afraid of anything, even if that might get her into
trouble now and then.
Jeremy's summer takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious wooden
box arrives in the mail. According to the writing on the box, it holds
the meaning of life! Jeremy is supposed to open it on his thirteenth
birthday. The problem is, the keys are missing, and the box is made so
that only the keys will open it without destroying what's inside. Jeremy
and Lizzy set off to find the keys, but when one of their efforts goes
very wrong, Jeremy starts to lose hope that he'll ever be able to open
the box. But he soon discovers that when you're meeting people named
Oswald Oswald and using a private limo to deliver unusual objects to
strangers all over the city, there might be other ways of finding out
the meaning of life.
Lively characters, surprising twists, and thought-provoking ideas make Wendy Mass's latest novel an unforgettable read.