Escape from Mr
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
Aimee M. Maranto
Linthicum, MD
LS 577.W01
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 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 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).
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
-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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