Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game (Mr. Lemoncello's Library)

by Chris Grabenstein

Before Mr. Lemoncello became everyone’s favorite game maker, he was a kid who liked to roll the dice . . . Discover the origins of what James Patterson calls “the coolest library in the world” in this PREQUEL to the New York Times bestselling Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Go back to the START and meet thirteen-year-old, PUZZLE-obsessed Luigi Lemoncello!

Luigi has a knack for games and puzzles. But sometimes it feels like the cards are stacked against him. UNTIL a carnival arrives in town and Luigi gets the CHANCE OF A LIFETIME—the opportunity to work for the world-famous Professor Marvelmous--a dazzling, banana-hat-wearing barker who puts the SHOW in SHOWMAN! When the carnival closes, Professor Marvelmous leaves behind a mysterious puzzle box along with a clue. A clue that will lead Luigi and his friends on a fantastical treasure hunt to a prize beyond anything they could imagine--if they can find it!

Can Luigi crack the codes and unlock the box's secrets? Will there be puzzles? Of course! Balloons? You bet! Will it be fun? Hello! It’s a Lemon-cello! BONUS! Can YOU crack the hidden puzzle inside?!

• ISBN10: 059348083X
• ISBN13: 9780593480830
• Publish Date: 3 May 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593480830

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game is a prequel/flashback to the popular Mr. Lemoncello middle grade reader series by Chris Grabenstein. Due out 3rd May 2022 from Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.

This is such a richly imagined world with a cast of colorful and engaging characters. Despite the fun and fast paced action, the author manages to convey some really important points about honesty, loyalty, integrity, family, friendship and generosity without ever once sacrificing fun or being preachy.

The writing is accessible and warm with a lot of humor and carefully engineered plot arc. The resolution and denouement were satisfying and well done. It's enhanced by the inclusion of puzzles and rebus illustrations which are integral to the plot and move the story along.

This would be a good selection for public or school library acquisition as well as for the home library. It would also make a fun choice for book club discussion or buddy read.

Four and a half stars. Definitely one for fans of the series and can be read as a standalone.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.