* A small town in Ohio: This is where the main character, Max, lives with his mother.
* The mountains of West Virginia: Max and his friends travel to the mountains to visit Max's father, who is living in a remote cabin.
* A bustling city: The story also touches upon life in a city, where Max's mother works and where Max and his friends visit for a school field trip.
The specific names of the towns and cities are not mentioned in the book, but the general settings are clearly defined.