jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
A fun extension of this universe featuring a new competition yet the same emphasis on the importance of books, libraries and knowledge. Even though its inclusion is brief, I like how Grabenstein has incorporated the concept of banned books into the story for younger readers to understand. There is a completely ridiculous plot twist revealed in the final act that would surely collapse upon further inspection but who cares, this was very enjoyable. The one thing that I missed from choosing the audiobook over the print edition is playing along with the various puzzles.
kellymc03's review against another edition
4.0
We listened to this book and all of us loved it. The reader has read many other juvenile books and he has a great voice.
undertowsoul's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
gold_star_reader's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
allithebookgiraffe_'s review against another edition
5.0
As someone who wants to work in a library, I loved this book! I loved all the library terms used and the references to literature. It really is a fun read for library and book lovers. This book can be summed up by a quote that was quoted in this book “Google can bring you back one hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.” – Neil Gaimen
There are plenty of references to books in jokes and in the different games they play.I also like the discussion of banned books and the reasons why they are banned. There is also a list in the back of the book of all the books mentioned. I love that it constantly references to the Dewey Decimal System. It is something that any person could use some knowledge in if they wish to venture to their local library. However, I wish they did reference the Library of Congress system as well, for academic libraries.
There are plenty of references to books in jokes and in the different games they play.I also like the discussion of banned books and the reasons why they are banned. There is also a list in the back of the book of all the books mentioned. I love that it constantly references to the Dewey Decimal System. It is something that any person could use some knowledge in if they wish to venture to their local library. However, I wish they did reference the Library of Congress system as well, for academic libraries.
raechsreads's review against another edition
5.0
Kyle and his friends are back! This time to defend their title of Lemoncello's Champions. 8 teams are gathered from around the country and brought in to play Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics to determine who the library champions are. Yet there is a subplot in Alexandriaville, a group has formed to put an end to Lemoncello's Library. Will Kyle and crew be able to hold on to their title of champions? Will the group succeed in overthrowing Lemoncello?
Such a great book! The puzzles were awesome. The amazing characteristics of each character made them come to life. And the tension of the games and subplot had me on the edge of my seat!
Such a great book! The puzzles were awesome. The amazing characteristics of each character made them come to life. And the tension of the games and subplot had me on the edge of my seat!
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
Yes! Yes! I finished it! This was a struggle.
I loved, adored, the previous book. It had riddles, libraries, books, and so much more. This one however had terrible characters, it was boring, I found the way the kids (except for Kyle) knew everything EVERYTHING there was in the world if it was about books/libraries. It just didn't seem believable. I can imagine a few kids, but all of the kids? No.
I struggled to get through this book, really struggled, and I was delightful when I was done. The ending was a slight disappointment though.
All in all, I can't give this more than 1 stars. Because even with crap characters, and a boring olympics, there were still some fun parts.
Here is a list of things I hated and why:
First up characters:
-Let me start with the biggest hate of all:
Marjory.
Marjory, or the girl who just loves stomping on everyone and doesn't care if she hurts anyone's feelings. She thinks she is all that, but in fact there are enough things she doesn't know. Sadly, she keeps on preening, keeps on making harsh remarks, is a total bitch, and so so much more. I hated her guts from the moment she was introduced. And then when she started talking and gaining a bigger role I hated her even more. Dear Lord, this girl needs to get a reality check. Good job, you know a lot, good job you know how to organize, no need to be a bitch about it, OK?
-Second place goes *drum roll*:
The Chiltington family. Gosh, I already hated them in the previous book, but they really got on my nerve in this one. They were unreasonable, spoiled, and they really had some big screws missing in their heads.
I think I could go on about them, but I just won't. I don't want to waste my time on that piece of crap family.
-That librarian from the previous library. Dear Lord, can someone please erase her from the hologram program? She was just so frustrating. Instead of being a fun librarian, all she was doing was being overly paranoid.
-Kyley. He was pretty decent in the previous book, but I totally didn't like him one bit in this one. He was boring, annoying, a wimp, only cared about winning (and for stupid reasons), was totally a downer, and various other reasons.
-And lastly, I also have to give Mr. Lemoncello himself a place. The stuff he did in this book, how he just threw around his money, it just disgusted me.
*And now some story stuff that I didn't like:
-The olympics. I had expected something more, and also way more book-related, but some games just didn't seem to do with books, or only in a very roundabout way.
-The whole all the kids magically knew EVERYTHING about the library and every book in existence. *sighs*
-The ending.
-What happened to the end of olympics.
All in all, this was a book I was really looking forward too, but now I wish I just hadn't read it. This book clearly suffers from the second-book-in-a-series-syndrome.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I loved, adored, the previous book. It had riddles, libraries, books, and so much more. This one however had terrible characters, it was boring, I found the way the kids (except for Kyle) knew everything EVERYTHING there was in the world if it was about books/libraries. It just didn't seem believable. I can imagine a few kids, but all of the kids? No.
I struggled to get through this book, really struggled, and I was delightful when I was done. The ending was a slight disappointment though.
All in all, I can't give this more than 1 stars. Because even with crap characters, and a boring olympics, there were still some fun parts.
Here is a list of things I hated and why:
First up characters:
-Let me start with the biggest hate of all:
Marjory.
Marjory, or the girl who just loves stomping on everyone and doesn't care if she hurts anyone's feelings. She thinks she is all that, but in fact there are enough things she doesn't know. Sadly, she keeps on preening, keeps on making harsh remarks, is a total bitch, and so so much more. I hated her guts from the moment she was introduced. And then when she started talking and gaining a bigger role I hated her even more. Dear Lord, this girl needs to get a reality check. Good job, you know a lot, good job you know how to organize, no need to be a bitch about it, OK?
-Second place goes *drum roll*:
The Chiltington family. Gosh, I already hated them in the previous book, but they really got on my nerve in this one. They were unreasonable, spoiled, and they really had some big screws missing in their heads.
I think I could go on about them, but I just won't. I don't want to waste my time on that piece of crap family.
-That librarian from the previous library. Dear Lord, can someone please erase her from the hologram program? She was just so frustrating. Instead of being a fun librarian, all she was doing was being overly paranoid.
-Kyley. He was pretty decent in the previous book, but I totally didn't like him one bit in this one. He was boring, annoying, a wimp, only cared about winning (and for stupid reasons), was totally a downer, and various other reasons.
-And lastly, I also have to give Mr. Lemoncello himself a place. The stuff he did in this book, how he just threw around his money, it just disgusted me.
*And now some story stuff that I didn't like:
-The olympics. I had expected something more, and also way more book-related, but some games just didn't seem to do with books, or only in a very roundabout way.
-The whole all the kids magically knew EVERYTHING about the library and every book in existence. *sighs*
-The ending.
-What happened to the end of olympics.
All in all, this was a book I was really looking forward too, but now I wish I just hadn't read it. This book clearly suffers from the second-book-in-a-series-syndrome.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/