Author: Chris Grabenstein
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Year: 2013
Audio Publisher: Listening Library (Penguin Random House)
Audio Year: 2014
Audio Reader :Jesse Bernstein
Audio Length: 6 hrs 20 mins
Genre: JUV Fiction
Age: JUV 8+
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This book has been on my TBR list for years! I remember thinking how cool it was when I was a school librarian & then I just never got to it. I finally checked it out on audio & listened to it. I was not disappointed. It's perfect for book nerds, geeks, & library lovers everywhere of any age. I have the other 2 on hold & I plan on listening to them ASAP.
I also recently found out after reading this book that there was a TV movie made. I currently can't watch it but I'm trying to find out about getting a copy of it.
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Our story begins with the three Keeley brothers, Mike the oldest, Curtis the middle child, & Kyle the youngest. They are racing around their house playing a game, Mr. Lemoncello's Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt. It's not long before they start destroying things & the fun has to come to an end. Mr. Lemoncello is a very important part of the story.
In the town of Alexandriaville, OH a new library has just been built. It's been under construction for five years & it's a big secret. The old library was closed down twelve years prior & the town is excited to see new library doors opening. To celebrate the grand opening Mr. Lemoncello, the financier for the library, created a contest where twelve twelve year old's are picked as winners after all the twelve year old's in town write an essay about why they are excited about the new library. Kyle goes out of his way to make sure his essay gets in & it's no surprise when he is one of the winners.
Once the grand opening is under way Kyle along with the eleven other kids chosen for the contest start their library lock-in. They play fun life-sized versions of Mr. Lemoncello's games, eat snacks, & explore the amazing new library. Along the way the new librarian Dr. Yanina Zinchenko is there to guide them. The next morning when they wake up that's when the real game begins. The kids are tasked with escaping from the library, the front doors have been sealed & there is clues all around them to help them get out.
The kids must answer questions about the dewey decimal system, use the card catalog, & work together to get out before time runs out. The winner who gets out first will get to be the new star for Mr. Lemoncello's TV commercials & game merchandise. The losers or cheaters get sent home. It's going to take more than luck to succeed & escape from the stacks!
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Likes: This books is a book or library lovers dream! It's crawling with trivia & info on every page. If you've ever wanted to know more about the library this book can help you while being entertaining at the same time.
It's so fun & there are some really hilarious moments. Perfect kids book!
It was short, less than seven hours on audio & less than 300 pages in book form.
This book gave me some great ideas for a possible program at my library. I got my hands on a copy of the actual book & apparently I can go online & download info on holding a Lemoncello type program...will look into that more later.
I'm really excited to read the next ones since this one is so good.
Fast paced, entertaining, & educational! The fact that the kids get all their electronics taken away & they have to use the card catalog search makes me happy.
Overall great story with relate-able characters & a library to die for! The reader Jesse Bernstein (from Dawson's Creek) does some good voice acting & is easy to follow. The characters are just like normal kids we all had in school & I'm sure still exist today. There's the nerdy girl who reads more than talks (that was me), the super popular snobby girl, the jock, etc. Then there's the library...it's just amazing...mind-blowing...wonderful...unique...state of the art...fabulous!
There are lots of quotes, book references, & book puns which is great. Mr. Lemoncello uses them a lot when talking to the kids.
I would say it's one of the best books I've ever read. Right up there with Matilda & Harry Potter.
Dislikes:-
Rating:
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