Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, 288 pages
When Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker has designed the town’s new library and is having and invitation-only lock-in on the first night, he is determined to be there. But the tricky part isn’t getting into the library- it’s getting out. Kyle’s going to need all his smarts, because a good roll of the dice or lucky draw of the cards is not enough to win in Mr. Lemoncello’s library.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics, 266 pages
Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is at it again! This time Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from across America to compete in the first-ever Library Olympics. Will it be fun? Well, like all the commercials say… HELLO! It’s a Lemoncello! But something suspicious is going on- books are missing from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. Between figuring out mind-boggling challenges, the kids will have to band together to get to the bottom of this mystery. Now it’s not just a game- can Mr. Lemoncello find the real champions of libraries?
My Response
Summary:Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: Kyle is a kid who loves games, especially Mr. Lemoncello's games. His hometown of Alexandriaville, OH, hasn't had a public library in 12 years. When world reknown game-maker, Luigi Lemoncello, invites twelve 12-year olds to a lock-in at the newly designed library, Kyle finds a way in. Lemoncello challenges the kids to some simple games for the evening. After a few of them leave the next morning, he challenges the rest of the kids to try to escape. This title focuses on other books, logic, word-play, and knowing your way around a library. This one has great closure (but a secret puzzle at the end!), and has no problem standing on its own.
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics: Kyle and his hometown team compete against other teams from across the United States to be true library champions. Mr. Lemoncello devises a series of wacky games and tests, and motivates the players with full college scholarships. Unfortunately, some people in Alexandriaville don't agree with Lemoncello's methods and library keeping, so they form a group to oust him because he doesn't have a board of trustees. This book wasn't quite as fun and original for me as the first book. The Library Olympics were a result of a mass of kids whining that they didn't get a fair chance to compete in the original game. This book focuses a lot more on the Dewey Decimal System and banned books. It was easy enough to fly through, though. It also gets a little political at some points, but in a funny/ridiculous way.
Promote Virtue?
Yes. Truth, Honesty, Knowledge, Wisdom, Right Judgment.
Transcendentals?
Truth is plastered all over this series. In the first books, the characters are very outspoken about their love of truth. The characters also desire what is good, fair, and just.
Overcome human condition? Yes. There are several temptations to cheat in the first book. One character bullies another into cheating. Our heroes overcome the temptation, though. There is also a substantial consequence when the two cheaters are caught. In the second book, the cheating situation is staged by adults, and one of the the kids takes the bait. However, she ends making amends by the end of the story.
Attitude toward Catholicism?
Very positive. There's a slight nod to Eilmer of Malmesbury in the first book. However, in the second book contains incomplete information about the Dominican priest, Savonarola, and the Bonfire of the Vanities in 1497. Savonarola was disobedient to the Pope and excommunicated.
One of the competitors, Marjory, cheats. She eventually comes around though to admit wrongdoing. Another character tells us: "She went for a walk with with our other chaperone," said Ms. Miles. "Father Mike from Regis Catholic Middle School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa" (220). Later, two characters are talking about the cheater:
"So, who swiped the book off the shelf?"
Andrew took a moment, "Marjory Muldauer. That's why she's with the priest. I think she feels bad and is giving him her full confession!" (222).
It's at this point in the series that I am relieved that there are consequences for wrong actions followed up by this great lead in to the Sacrament. It's not being treated lightly. However, I'm a little confused later because the priest seems to break the seal of Confession:
"Marjory told me all about how you tricked her into stealing that book," said a man in a priest collar, who Kyle figured had to be Father Mike, chaperone for the Midwest team. "I'm going to call the police" (244).
It's never actually stated in the book that Marjory goes to Confession, but it's pretty strongly implied. However, priests don't break the seal of confession, so when Fr. Mike shares this information, a well-formed conscience can assume that Marjory simply spoke with Fr. Mike and didn't go to Confession. Unfortunately, the intended audience of this book wouldn't really be able to tell the difference. So, ultimately, it's great to know about this point in the book, because it's a good teachable moment.
Instead of hemming and hawing, I decided to ask the author about it!! This was his reply:
"Hi! Thanks for your thoughtful questions. As a product of Catholic High School (yay Notre Dame in Chattanooga), I take the same issues quite seriously, too. In my imagination, Marjory did not receive the sacrament...but rather, unburdened her soul on the receptive ear of of someone she could trust to listen and advise. So Fr. Mike is okay. They weren't in the booth or saying an Act Of Contrition."
BOOM goes the dynamite. Teachable moment about Spiritual Direction!!!!
Paganry?
Some mentioned in light of certain historical subjects.
Swearing? No.
Violence? No. Threat of book burning
Appropriate age? 8-12
Writing Style: Grabenstein writes in a fun and witty way that will keep the reader searching for clues just as hard as the characters in the books. He writes in an intelligent and clear manner while alluding to book titles, characters, stories, and tons of other literary awesomeness at the same time. Word nerdy. Full of allusions to literature. Lots of logic problems. Puns, jokes, and intelligent humor. The epilogues contain lists of books mentioned or alluded to in the story! Awesome!
Great words: panacea, panoply, pedantic, sesquipedalian, perspicuous, egregious, elucidate, meritorious, fish-mongering, mendacious, charlatan, sagacious, smarmy.
Word Nerd Seal of Approval? Indubitably!
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