Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library facts for kids
The cover of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (First edition)
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| Author | Chris Grabenstein |
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| Original title | Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library |
| Cover artist | David Kyle |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Mr. Lemoncello's Library |
| Subject | Mystery |
| Genre | Children's |
| Publisher | Random House |
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Publication date
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June 25, 2013 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 288 |
| ISBN | 037587089X |
| 3.14 | |
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library is an exciting children's novel written by Chris Grabenstein. It became a huge hit, staying on the New York Times bestseller list for middle grade books for over two years. The book is known for its fun puzzles and adventure.
The author, Chris Grabenstein, has shared that the book itself holds a secret puzzle for readers to solve. He gave a hint from Mr. Lemoncello: "Forget the Industrial Revolution, my first idea might be your best solution."
Contents
The Story Begins
Twelve-year-old Kyle Keeley loves games. He especially enjoys the board games and video games made by the famous game creator, Luigi Lemoncello. One morning, after getting into a bit of trouble, Kyle's friend Akimi Hughes tells him about a school contest.
The winners of this contest would be the first kids to visit the brand-new, amazing library in their town of Alexandriaville, Ohio. Kyle wasn't very interested in books at first. But when he heard the new library would have games and computers, he quickly tried to write an essay for the contest.
The Contest and the Library
Kyle soon found out that Mr. Lemoncello himself designed and paid for the new library. Mr. Lemoncello was even going to judge the essay contest! He said the old public library helped him a lot when he was a kid. Kyle felt like he missed a big chance. He tried to turn in a better essay late, but his teacher said no.
Not giving up, Kyle found Mr. Lemoncello's email address. He sent his essay directly to him. Later, Mr. Lemoncello came to Kyle's school to announce the winners. Dr. Yanina Zinchenko, a famous librarian, explained that the winners would spend a night in the grand new library.
Then, Mr. Lemoncello announced the lucky winners. They included Kyle, Akimi, helpful Miguel Fernandez, smart Andrew Peckleman, Bridgette Wadge, book-lover Sierra Russell, Yasmeen Smith-Snyder, Sean Keegan, popular Haley Daley, Rose Vermette, eager Kayla Corson, and the competitive Charles Chiltington.
Inside the Library
That night, the children entered the incredible library. They played a trivia game, and Charles won the prize of sleeping in the library's fancy bedroom suite. They also competed to find dessert, and Kyle and Akimi teamed up to win that. This gave them early access to the Electronic Learning Center.
Other fun activities that night included watching a giant IMAX movie. They also saw animatronic figures of presidents having a debate.
The Escape Game
The next morning, Mr. Lemoncello announced a new game. The first person to escape the library in 24 hours would win a big prize. They would get to appear in Lemoncello game commercials and earn money as a company spokesperson!
Sean, Kayla, and Rose decided not to stay for the game. Bridgette and Yasmeen were out early. So, Kyle, Akimi, and Sierra formed a team. Meanwhile, Charles focused on the fake book covers in the "Staff Picks" display. He soon found hidden clues in the real books that matched those covers.
Kyle guessed that the different books pictured on their new library cards were a clue. His team followed that lead. Soon, Miguel joined Kyle's team. Charles, being very competitive, made Haley and Andrew join his team.
Challenges and Victory
Late that night, Charles worried that Kyle's team was doing well. He convinced Andrew to steal Sierra's library card. Andrew wanted to get into the private room where Team Kyle kept their clues. But Andrew was caught the next morning and had to leave the game. Haley then decided to join Kyle's team.
After a few more games, Charles tried to force Kyle to give him the last clue. Charles was caught and removed from the game. Kyle and his friends worked together. They figured out the last of the clues and escaped the library just in time!
Awards and Recognition
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library was a New York Times bestseller. It received many good reviews. Kirkus Reviews called it a "solid, tightly plotted read" full of puzzles and fun wordplay. Publishers Weekly said it was "that perfect book that isn’t girly or boyish, but is just a good book for any middle-grade reader." Many reviewers, including author James Patterson, compared the book to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The novel also won the 2013 Agatha Award for Best Children's/Young Adult Novel. This was the fourth time Chris Grabenstein won this award.
It has also won many Children's Choice State Book Awards across the United States, including:
- Arizona, Grand Canyon Reader Award
- Delaware, Blue Hen Book Award
- Florida, Sunshine State Young Readers Award
- Indiana, Young Hoosier Book Award, Intermediate
- Kansas, William Allen White Children's Book Award
- Maine, Student Book Award
- Maryland, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award
- Minnesota, Maud Hart Lovelace Award
- Mississippi, Magnolia Award
- Missouri, Mark Twain Readers Award
- Nebraska, The Golden Sower Award
- New Hampshire, Great Stone Face Book Award
- New Jersey, Garden State Book Award
- North Dakota, Flicker Tale Children's Book Award
- Ohio, Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award
- Oregon, Reader's Choice Award
- Pacific Northwest Library Association, Young Reader's Choice Award
- Rhode Island, Rhode Island Children's Book Award
- Tennessee, Volunteer State Book Award
- Vermont, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award
- Virginia, Virginia Reader's Choice Award
In 2016, the book won the Mark Twain Readers Award from the Missouri Association of School Librarians.
More Adventures: The Sequels
Because the first book was so popular, Chris Grabenstein wrote several sequels:
- Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics was released in January 2016.
- Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race came out in October 2017.
- Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game was released in May 2019.
- The fifth sequel, Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket, came out in August 2020.
- A prequel, Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game, was released in May 2022.
Main Characters
- Kyle Keeley - A big fan of Mr. Lemoncello's games. He doesn't read many books at first. But he learns to love reading from Sierra Russell. He is the leader of Team Kyle.
- Charles Chiltington - A rather rude boy who will do anything to win. He doesn't care if it means breaking rules or hurting others. He is the leader of Team Charles.
- Akimi Hughes - Kyle's best friend. She is very excited about the new, secret library. She is part of Team Kyle.
- Miguel Fernandez - A smart and excited president of a school book club. He is another one of Kyle's friends. He starts alone, then joins Team Kyle.
- Andrew Peckleman - Miguel's former friend. He loves books and knows a lot about the Dewey Decimal System. He starts alone, then joins Team Charles.
- Haley Daley - A popular girl who sometimes seems snobby. But deep down, she is kind. She is competing to help her family, who are having money problems. She starts alone, then joins Team Charles, then Team Kyle.
- Sierra Russell - A quiet and shy bookworm. Her parents are divorced. She learns to be more outgoing during the competition. She is part of Team Kyle.
- Mr. Luigi L. Lemoncello - The quirky and funny creator of Lemoncello Games. He also created the Lemoncello Library. He gives clues throughout the escape game.
- Dr. Yanina Zinchenko - The world-famous head librarian of the Lemoncello Library. She is the only one who knows how to get out of the library.
- Mrs. Gail Tobin - Mr. Lemoncello's old librarian. She appears as a holographic assistant in the new library. (She is not alive, but her hologram helps.)
The Movie Adaptation
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library was made into a movie by Nickelodeon. The filming took place in Vancouver, Canada.
The movie was directed by Scott McAboy and produced by Amy Sydorick. It stars Casey Simpson as Kyle Keeley and Breanna Yde as Akimi. Other actors include Klarke Pipkin as Sierra, A.J. Louis Rivera Jr. as Andrew Peckleman, and Ty Nicolas Consiglio as Charles Chiltington. Russell Roberts plays Mr. Lemoncello. The movie also features the voices of Kari Wahlgren as Charlotte from Charlotte's Web and Dana Snyder as the Troll from Three Billy Goats Gruff.
The movie was first shown on October 9, 2017.
