Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
By: Chris Grabenstein
My Rating: Four out of Five Stars
Best for: All ages.

If Willy Wonka built a library…

I’ve had Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library in my sights for a LONG time, but I put it off because I kind of expected it’d be one of those books 10-year-old’s will love and adults will strain their eye muscles from aggressive rolling.

I was right.

The writing is simplistic. The characters don’t grow. The ending is predictable. The challenges are unrealistic–no 12-year-old would be able to sold them. It’s been a few days, and my eyes are still sore.

But…the part of me that wants to be 10 years old again sure had a lot of fun!

Imagine if Willy Wonka built a library instead of a chocolate factory, and the book was written by someone who admired Roald Dahl but isn’t Roald Dahl. That’s this book. It’s packed full of “I love the library” messaging, and there are easter eggs pointing to great literature throughout. I thought it was great that at the end of the book, there’s a bibliography of all the books and authors that got a call out.

Alas, there was only one Roald Dahl, and there will never be another. His marvelous stories captivate young and old. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library sticks with captivating the young. Us oldies will just have to stick with little girls who love to read but have rotten parents. big friendly giants, witches, extra large peaches, and, of course chocolate factories.

No content concerns. Read it with your kiddos or let them read it alone. It’ll be a winner for sure.

Happy Reading!