Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Love the whole series. The first book is really nice and engaging. Creates further interest in looking at puzzles, codes, escape room, trivia etc. Treasure hunts became more exciting after throwing in rebus and other kinds of clues! Very nice and great book to gift as well

This book took me back to my childhood, the feeling of when I first fell in love with reading. I love books about books, and this was a good one for middle graders that can still be enjoyed be adults who have not forgotten their love of reading. The characters were endearing and the plot was engrossing. Would highly recommend!

This title is meant for younger readers--the protagonist is 12. I read it to prepare for an author visit at my daughter's school. I was told it was like Willy Wonka meets Night at the Museum. I have to say, that's a pretty good description. I'd add in The DaVinci Code, too. Alexandriaville is getting a brand-new, state-of-the-art public library after having no library for 12 years. To celebrate the opening, 12 12-year-olds are chosen from an essay contest to spend a night in the library and be the first to experience its amazing collection and exhibits. Kyle Keeley, an avid gamer, manages to earn a spot. Once they are inside, the children learn that they can simply spend a night in the library, or they can play a real-life game to win a fabulous prize. Once the game begins, players do their best to decode clues and find the escape from the library before time runs out or another player beats them to it. This book is incredibly fun and packed with hints for readers to solve along with the characters in the book. The library in the story is a dream, full of technological innovations that enhance rather than replace traditional library systems--you'll still find books and the Dewey Decimal System in here. I love how Grabenstein showed readers that libraries are as relevant as ever, especially when they evolve with technology to help users find what they need. There's also a hidden puzzle in the book for readers to solve. Those who do (and who email the author by December 31, 2013) can win a library of books for themselves and for the library collection of their choice! Like the characters in the book, I got my entry in at the 11th hour. :)

El libro era para un niño de 11 años y le ha gustado mucho. La mezcla de misterio, la resolución de pruebas, la presencia constante de libros, ha conseguido engancharle mucho y lo ha disfrutado.

I really wish this book had been written about twenty years ago. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to read this book when I was in primary school or early high school. It's just such a great story about libraries and books and what makes both so special. Add to that friendship, challenge, mystery, an underdog trying to defeat the rich kid and you've got an engaging first book in the Lemoncello series. The book is funny, heartwarming and engaging. I flew through the chapters eager to find out the next challenge (and add another title to my TBR) and see how the characters would react. The 12 kids who begin the challenge are quickly whittled down to a hardcore few that are a varied and interesting bunch. Led by Kyle they are determined not to give up. Whilst I was sure their resilience would pay-off, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. A great story that I would recommend to any MG readers.