Chris Grabenstein

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Christine

Melissa Palmer

Book #5 Read in 2014
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein (YA)

This book is sort of a modernized Willy Wonka, set in a library. Twelve 12 year olds are chosen as winners of an essay contest. Their prize is a sleepover in the brand new library of Mr. Lemoncello before it is open to the public. This is no ordinary library, or sleepover for that matter. There are clues, prizes and twists and turns. 

The characters are likeable (except for those who are not supposed to be liked). I enjoyed the book references throughout. This was a fun read. It contained humor, a good mystery and an interesting plot. I recommend it.

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Connor 

Super fun! Kinda like a more puzzley, less mystery Westing Game.

Sonja H

Ein Buch über Bücher, Kinder, die in einer Bibliothek eingesperrt sind und mit vielen Rätseln ihren Weg spielerisch hinaus finden müssen. Was kann an einem solchen Buch nicht gut sein?
Nun, eigentlich nichts. Es ist eine unterhaltsame Lektüre, in die viel Wissen und Recherche des Autors eingeflossen sind. Alle Rätsel, die den Protagonisten gestellt werden, sind teilweise auch von den Lesern lösbar, auch wenn wir darauf angewiesen sind, dass die Kinder den nächsten Hinweis ifür uns entdecken.
Es macht schon Spaß, gemeinsam mit den 12-Jährigen diese phantastische, skurrile Bibliothek zu erkunden, allerdings gibt es außer der Aufgabe "finde den Weg hinaus" und etwas Rivalität zwischen den Teilnehmern keinen wirklich packenden Spannungsbogen und nur wenig Charakterentwicklung.
Für Kinder sicherlich ein tolles Buch, für Erwachsene eine leichte, unaufgeregte Lektüre.

Twelve-year-old Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students but finds that come morning he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.

Celeste Richardson

I was recommended this book by a teenage friend, and I’m so glad that I decided to pick it up. I found Mr. Lemoncello and his library captivating, and I delighted in Kyle and his friends as they solved its mysteries. This book was very reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, though Mr. Lemoncello is far more likeable than Willy Wonka, and the essay contest in this book was much more fair and merit-based than the lottery of its predecessor.

Mr. Lemoncello’s library itself was absolutely incredible, and will now forever be an entry on my list of fictional places I dearly wish I could visit. I loved how technologically advanced the library is. We often view technology as being at odds with books and libraries, and this book proves that such a view can be the farthest thing from the truth if we so desire. It was brilliantly done, and I hope that someday, someone decides to try their best to replicate this library in the real world.

This is a puzzle of a book, packed full of a variety of different brain teasers. I very much enjoyed trying to solve he puzzles along with our cast. However, the abundance of puzzles cost us a bit in the realm of character depth and development, which is the main reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5.

I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade mystery. It was fast-paced and fun and always interesting. I would be very quick to recommend it to any kid in my life, especially those who love books and puzzles and think there’s something just a little bit magical about libraries. And if you happen to be an adult who feels those things, I have no doubt that you would enjoy this book, too.

Maggie Hotmer

I was reread this book that I’ve had on my bookshelf since 4th or 5th grade. It was still a good book but it’s just not on my reading level anymore. I would recommend to any younger kids because it is still an amazing read with a very whimsical story.

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set in a library. Books and authors instead of chocolate, an elaborate game to win through reading, research, collaboration and play instead of relying on pure luck, and I don't think it's any coincidence that the unheroic boy who schemes and plots to win by any means possible is named Charles. Puzzles galore to try to solve. Funny, suspenseful, and there's even a Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Escape Game that you can host in your own library! Details here: http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/... Looking forward to the next adventure in Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics!

Caroline Lewicki

A very fun, very quick read. Lots of literary references throughout and fun riddles to solve. It reminded me a lot of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Some of the dialogue was a bit cringey and I feel like kids would see that as a bit disingenuous (a grownup trying to write dialogue as a cool kid is so awkward) but on the whole, I could get over that to enjoy the story!

Now a Nickelodeon Original Movie! Over 100 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List! 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 co-author of I Funny and Treasure Hunters! “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 and Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race! “Full of puzzles to think about, puns to groan at …this solid, tightly plotted read is a winner for readers and game-players alike.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Chaya Vervaecke

I loved this book!! I wish I had read more books like this when i was a kid!! It was inspiring, I loved the message it sent. The characters all have an interesting personality. I loved the friendships
I really enjoyed the fact that we could also actively think with the characters to find out the answer 
Also Willy Wonka vibes for those who like Roald Dahl

Lynn Braden

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library is a wonderful book for middle grade readers about a boy named Kyle Keeley who participates in a contest in a new, spectacular library that has just been built in his hometown. Kyle, who is not really a reader, becomes team captain for a group of his friends who are also participating. Kyle learns lots about books, friendship, libraries, and himself. The library where the game is played sounds like a fantastic place where I would love to go to find books. The mystery of the game and the chase for answers make this a real page turner that kept my attention until the very end. I'm anxious for the sequel, Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics.

Kari Bingham-Gutierrez

Fantastic book with lots of twists and turns. Not only are the kids trying to solve these puzzles, but the reader is too. I can't wait to read the next one.

Victoria Maier 

Join Kyle as he uses all his gamer skills to solve the puzzle that is Mr Lemoncello's extraordinary library. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets A Night in the Museum in this the action-packedNew York Times bestseller from Chris Grabenstein, coauthor of I Funny and other bestselling series with James Patterson! Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games - board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most famous and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the town's brand-new super library that is as much a home for tech and trickery as it is for stories. Kyle is lucky enough to win a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for a puzzle-packed lock-in on the library's opening night, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret riddle to find the hidden escape route . . . !

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

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