Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Mr. Lemoncello Series #1)

by Chris Grabenstein

Overview

Over 100 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List!
On 44 State Award Lists!
 
Discover what James Patterson calls “the coolest library in all the world” in this fun-filled, action-packed bestseller from the much-loved coauthor of I Funny and Max Einstein!
 
“A worthy successor to . . . Willy Wonka.” —Booklist, starred review

When Kyle learns that the world's most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town's new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he's determined to be there! But the tricky part isn't getting into the library—it's getting out. Because when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route! 

Don't miss bonus content in the back of the book—extra puzzles, an author Q&A, and more! And look for the puzzle-packed sequels—Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics, Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race, Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game, and Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket!

“Full of puzzles to think about [and] puns to groan at . . . this solid, tightly plotted read is a winner for readers and game-players alike.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780307931474
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	06/24/2014
Series:	Mr. Lemoncello Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	20
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Chris Grabenstein is the New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Mr. Lemoncello series, the Welcome to Wonderland series, and many other books. He is also the coauthor of many page-turners with James Patterson, including the Max Einstein series, and of Shine!, which he cowrote with his wife, J.J. Grabenstein. Chris lives in New York City. Visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com and on Twitter at @CGrabenstein. Look for the latest Mr. Lemoncello books—Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game (available now!) and Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket, coming in 2020!

Editorial Reviews

A New York Times Bestseller

Starred Review, Booklist, June 1, 2013:
“An ode to libraries and literature that is a worthy successor to the original madman puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka.”

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2013:
"Full of puzzles to think about, puns to groan at and references to children’s book titles, this solid, tightly plotted read is a winner for readers and game-players alike."

"Pick up Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library for your kids to discover the coolest library in the world." —James Patterson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library...is fantastic. It is one of the best books I've read, ever, and that is saying something because I am a librarian. The game, gaining understanding of the Dewey Decimal System, all the name dropping, or should I say, title dropping of so many other great books that will encourage the kids to read more, and more and more . . . it all works. I will recommend it to children and adults alike. It is that good." —Julie Forbus, Madison Public Library

From the Publisher

Librarians and English teachers will happily recommend this adventurous romp from Grabenstein (the Riley Mack books), which pays playful homage to books and libraries while engaging readers in a fast-paced competition involving research and reasoning skills. Twelve seventh-graders win a chance to spend an overnight lock-in previewing their town’s new public library—it’s a marvel of technological delights conceived by Luigi Lemoncello, the Willy Wonkalike founder of Mr. Lemoncello’s Imagination Factory, which is a source for every kind of game imaginable. During the lock-in the winners, who include game-lover Kyle Keeley and a group of multicultural classmates with a mix of aptitudes and interests, are offered a further challenge: “Find your way out of the library using only what’s in the library.” The winner will become spokesperson for the Imag-ination Factory. Book lovers will relish the lavish sprinkling of book titles and references while puzzle fans will enjoy figuring out the clues. A lighthearted parody of reality survival shows, the book reinvigorates the debate over the Dewey Decimal system and traditional library skills while celebrating teamwork, perseverance, and clever wits. Ages 9–12. Agent: Eric Myers, the Spieler Agency. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 4–7—Bibliophiles unite! Melvil Dewey is alive and well and residing within Mr. Lemoncello's new library. Billionaire game-maker Luigi Lemoncello wants to pay homage to his childhood library by constructing a technological marvel in his hometown that went without a library for 12 years. He invites a dozen 12-year-olds to a lock-in at the new building, and when they arrive they find the eccentric game-maker has offered them a further challenge-if they can find their way out using only what's in the library-they will become the new spokesperson for Mr. Lemoncello's company. Kyle Keeley teams up with other students as unlikely alliances form, some children's true (not so nice) personalities emerge, and suspense builds while the kids enlist the aid of Mr. Lemoncello's childhood librarian, an Electronic Learning center, and book clues and references galore. The story feels like a cross between a reality show, an online game, and a tightly woven mystery. Dewey Decimal clues will hook librarians and teachers, while book lovers will delight at myriad references from Mr. Lemoncello, such as, "And now, I must return to my side of the mountain… I have great expectations for you all!" Book and game lovers alike will delve into this delicious tale and put on their thinking caps.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

School Library Journal

When a lock-in becomes a reality game, 12-year-old Kyle Keeley and his friends use library resources to find their way out of Alexandriaville's new public library. The author of numerous mysteries for children and adults turns his hand to a puzzle adventure with great success. Starting with the premise that billionaire game-maker Luigi Lemoncello has donated a fortune to building a library in a town that went without for 12 years, Grabenstein cleverly uses the tools of board and video games--hints and tricks and escape hatches--to enhance this intricate and suspenseful story. Twelve 12-year-old winners of an essay contest get to be the first to see the new facility and, as a bonus, to play his new escape game. Lemoncello's gratitude to the library of his childhood extends to providing a helpful holographic image of his 1968 librarian, but his modern version also includes changing video screens, touch-screen computers in the reading desks and an Electronic Learning Center as well as floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stretching up three stories. Although the characters, from gamer Kyle to schemer Charles Chiltington, are lightly developed, the benefits of pooling strengths to work together are clear. Full of puzzles to think about, puns to groan at and references to children's book titles, this solid, tightly plotted read is a winner for readers and game-players alike. (Mystery. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews

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