Extra Book 2: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

The puzzle book was another category I doubled up on.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
fulfilled the category “Book revolving around a puzzle or game” in the PopSugar
2019 Reading Challenge. I read the book for the challenge not realizing I had
already fulfilled the category with The Lying Game. I went with Ruth
Ware’s book instead of this one because it was a kid’s book.
I have a great affinity for children’s stories. Some of the
greatest stories ever written were intended for children. But I didn’t want to
bog the blog down with too many choices in the children’s lit category. The
blog is for adults and how many adults still read kid’s books? I know you’re
out there but not the majority.
The story was perfect, an escape room in a novel. My
family has become obsessed with escape rooms. I’ve always loved a good puzzle. Many of the computer games I
enjoy are puzzle-oriented. And this book hit all my favorite things.
The tale begins with three brothers competing to
finish a scavenger hunt their father has set on them. The youngest, Kyle Keeley,
wins through stealth and cunning. We learn right from the beginning that
perhaps he’s not the
sharpest pencil in the case, but he has determination, smarts, and dedication
on his side. These skills help him get into the contest and help him inside Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
The challenge begins when the town’s library reopens with a
contest for children to find a secret exit. Mr. Lemoncello is the creator of
many fun board and sports games for children and he constructed the new library
with the same ideas. Twelve children are invited to spend the night, to solve
the clues, and find the secret exit. It’s like a murder-mystery game without a
murder.
My daughter and I also watched the movie after we
read the book together. What a disappointment. The book relies on logic,
technology, and teamwork to solve the riddles and escape the library. The movie
morphed the technology into magical elements and removed must of the fun of the
book. Also, it was terribly written and acted. Cooperation by the children was
the key to getting them through the puzzles. The movie pitted them against each
other ala Hunger Games. No thanks.
A short fun read that comes up with some wonderful
puzzles. If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you’ll like this book.
     I give Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Five library cards.

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