bookthia's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This middle grade romp is getting the Willy Wonka comps. In structure, sort of similar, but definitely not in plot. In Mr Lemoncello’s Library Escape, the kids mostly learn to work together. And it pays off for sure! My biggest beef is that Kyle, the main character, is rewarded for his last-ditch half-hearted attempt to win the contest he was only interested in AFTER he learned what the prize was. What kind of lesson is that? Still. He redeems himself quickly.
This story is marketed as middle grade but these are some of the smartest 12 year olds I have encountered! The book titles and authors referenced within as part of the puzzles and games the characters have to solve are frequently adult titles or books that I was astonished these 12-year old characters even knew about. But the clues and games aspect was super fun and readers of all ages will love trying to figure things out.
It’s a fun book for sure.
This story is marketed as middle grade but these are some of the smartest 12 year olds I have encountered! The book titles and authors referenced within as part of the puzzles and games the characters have to solve are frequently adult titles or books that I was astonished these 12-year old characters even knew about. But the clues and games aspect was super fun and readers of all ages will love trying to figure things out.
It’s a fun book for sure.
leenie30's review
4.0
if mistery and adventure is what you seek
this history may be the one for you
it has a lot of clues, puzzles and more
so, if you think you can figure this book out
go read it now
this history may be the one for you
it has a lot of clues, puzzles and more
so, if you think you can figure this book out
go read it now
readertz's review against another edition
5.0
If you're looking for a book with a little bit of mystery and a little bit of adventure you've found it! Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library begins with an essay contest to visit the new library and then turns into a scavenger hunt to escape the new library. This is a great story that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a good book!
rachelb36's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun read! I highly recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Mysterious Benedict Society.
There are fun puzzles to solve alongside the characters and I loved all the book references. Book lovers will connect with it for that reason alone, but even a new reader will enjoy the book.
I liked the emphasis on being kind and doing the right thing, which I haven't found in all books for this age group.
It's the perfect length at about 300 pages, and the chapters are very short, so it's easy to read "just one more."
There are fun puzzles to solve alongside the characters and I loved all the book references. Book lovers will connect with it for that reason alone, but even a new reader will enjoy the book.
I liked the emphasis on being kind and doing the right thing, which I haven't found in all books for this age group.
It's the perfect length at about 300 pages, and the chapters are very short, so it's easy to read "just one more."
hogglea10's review
5.0
What a fun, engaging, clever book! My niece was telling me about this book the teacher had read them in class the previous year, and as she's usually pretty clammed up about, well, everything, and here she was going on about how cool it was so I thought I would see what caught her attention. It's basically an escape room in book format, full of puzzles and riddles and clues that the reader can choose to work out for themselves or just carry on and wait for the characters to eventually explain them. Even as an adult I quite enjoyed it, though of course the language and dialogue was a bit juvenile... which is perfect, of course, as it is a children's book. I could totally picture my then-8-year-old niece giggling at the corny jokes, sound effects, and bad dialogue. It's silly and fun and engaging and perfect for kids who are beginning to get into real chapter books. I'm definitely going to look up the next one!
afro8921's review
3.0
The library in "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" was amazing. It's just the right mix of cool gadgetry and book heaven. I like the monopoly, game aspect of the book. This book would be great for tweens who like Rick Riordan's 39 clues, or who enjoy gaming, and solving mysteries.
margot04's review
3.0
it ended up being relatively fun! not really a nuanced middle grade read (and I know nuanced middle grade that’s fun for middle schoolers and people who are no longer middle schoolers exists lol!) but the mystery was quite fun and I mostly had a good time :)
elizabethtagg's review
4.0
I read this book for one of my classes, and I really enjoyed it! It is very much middle-grade fiction, but I thought it was well-written and engaging.