In this cross between "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "A Night in the Museum, " Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters. Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games--board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!
Review: A New York Times BestsellerStarred Review, Booklist, June 1, 2013: "An ode to libraries and literature that is a worthy successor to the original madman puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka."Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2013: "Full of puzzles to think about, puns to groan at and references to children's book titles, this solid, tightly plotted read is a winner for readers and game-players alike.""Pick up "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" for your kids to discover the coolest library in the world." --James Patterson, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author""Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library"...is fantastic. It is one of the best books I've read, ever, and that is saying something because I am a librarian. The game, gaining understanding of the Dewey Decimal System, all the name dropping, or should I say, title dropping of so many other great books that will encourage the kids to read more, and more and more . . . it all works. I will recommend it to children and adults alike. It is that good." --Julie Forbus, Madison Public Library"From the Hardcover edition."
Author Biography: CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the Agatha and Anthony Award-winning author of "The Crossroads" and "The Hanging Hill" as well as several adult thrillers and "I FUNNY, " a #1 "New York Times" bestseller that he coauthored with James Patterson. Chris also used to do improv, write TV and radio commercials, and has written for "The Muppets." Chris was born in Buffalo, New York, and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, when he was ten. After college, he moved to New York City to become an actor and writer. Chris and his wife JJ live in New York City with three cats and a dog named Fred who starred in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Broadway.