ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Aimee M. Maranto
Linthicum, MD
LS 577.W01
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ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S
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In Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein (2013a), the
town of Alexandriaville has not had a public library in twelve years. Mr. Lemoncello, a
billionaire game designer who grew up in Alexandriaville, has been working for five
years to construct a public library unlike any other. The library includes hover ladders
and a Wonderdome, which is divided into 10 screens. The Wonderdome can display
pictures of the sky, images of the 10 Dewey Decimal categories, and more. Robotic
geese have been installed for storytime. Mr. Lemoncello plans a grand opening event.
Twelve twelve-year-olds are selected through an essay contest. The children spend the
night in the new library and must figure out how to escape the library without using the
front door. The child who comes up with the correct answer will win a grand prize.
The book is written in third person omniscient, as the narrator describes what each
of the contestants is doing. The characterization is simplistic, as the focus of the book is
on the fast-paced, linear storyline. There are many static characters, such as the
antagonist Charles Chiltington, who will do anything to win the contest. Kyle Keeley,
the main character, is more dynamic. He learns about teamwork. The tone of the book is
humorous and playful. The author includes visual representations of the clues the
children use to solve the puzzle. In addition, references and allusions to well-known
children’s literature are used in the plot and for interest. The themes of the book include
perseverance, friendship, and teamwork.
This work would appeal to many patrons. As Cass Kvenild (2011) discussed in
her webinar about readers advisory, patrons read books based on preferred appeal
characteristics. Nancy Pearl’s four appeal characteristics, as identified by Kvenild, are
character, language, setting, and story. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has strong
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appeal in the language, setting and story categories. The language is engaging because of
the many puns, word games, and literature references throughout. For example, when
determining if all of the contestants were gathered, Mr. Lemoncello says, “’I saw her
downstairs reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. We’ll reach her
later’”(Grabenstein, 2013a). The setting is also appealing. Many readers and librarians
would love to spend an evening in a new library with many fascinating features, working
to solve riddles for find an answer to a puzzle. Grabenstein comments on how the
character Luigi Lemoncello views libraries, demonstrating the importance of libraries,
“He sees the library as a great public institution where anyone, no matter what race,
religion, or economic status, can learn anything about everything” (Grabenstein, 2013b,
p. 79). The story itself is appealing because it deals with adventure, logic, and addresses
bullying. Curiosity about who will solve the puzzle and how keeps the story moving
along.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library would be a good addition to a school or
public library. The following discussion is based on Phyllis Van Orden’s general
selection criteria found in her book Selecting Books for the Elementary School Library
Media Center: A Complete Guide (2000). The book is appropriate to upper elementary
and middle school students. It is a fun story that promotes library use. Chris Grabenstein
is a well-know author who has written mysteries for adults and collaborated with James
Patterson on the New York Times bestselling children’s book I Funny. The author grabs
the reader’s attention by starting with a game Kyle plays with his older brothers. The
eye-catching cover hints at the action and game-themed story. While some of the puns
and allusions would appeal mostly to well-read children and adults, the reader does not
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need to understand the references to understand and enjoy the story. In fact, the
references to other children’s works could encourage readers to seek out new titles.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library features characters with various ethnicity and
home life situations. Sierra Russell’s parents are divorced. Akimi Hughes is part Asian
and part Irish.
School and public librarians could use this book as a fun way to introduce the
Dewey Decimal System and create a mystery for children to solve using the library.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library does have similarities to other well-known
humorous titles, including The Mysterious Benedict Society and Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory. As in The Mysterious Benedict Society, the children must use their
wits to solve clues and learn to work as a team. Like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
the children get to take a tour and have a chance at winning a great prize. However,
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library offers a unique setting and all new puzzles to
solve. The book would serve as a read-alike, not a duplicate story. The title can be
purchased in physical book form, as well as ebook form. Sarah Ben Thompson sums up
the book well in her review published in Booklist, “…an instantly engaging and wildly
creative mystery that is sure to have readers looking at their humble library in a new
light” (Thompson, 2013, p. 74).
ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S
References
Dahl, R. (1964). Charlie and the chocolate factory. New York, NY: Penguin.
Grabenstein, C. (2013a). Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. New York, NY:
Random House.
Grabenstein, C. (2013b). How Dewey find what we’re really looking for? Knowledge
Quest, 42(2), 78-80.
Kvenild, C. (2011, April 19). What appeals to your patrons? [Web log webinar].
Retrieved from http://getonthebuswyoming.wordpress.com/reader%E2%80%99s
-advisory-appeal-characteristics/
Stewart, T. L. (2007). The mysterious Benedict society. New York, NY: Little, Brown
Books for Young Readers.
Thompson, S. B. (2013, June 1). Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. Booklist,
109(19), 74.
Van Orden, P. (2000). Selecting books for the elementary school library media
center: A complete guide. New York, NY: Neal-Schumann Publishers.
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