What do you think?
Rate this book
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Graphic Novels #1
Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel
When Kyle learns that the world's most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town's new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he's determined to be there! But the tricky part isn't getting into the library--it's getting out. Because 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!
248 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
89 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Chris Grabenstein
147 books2,423 followersCHRIS GRABENSTEIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His books include the LEMONCELLO, WONDERLAND, HAUNTED MYSTERY, DOG SQUAD, and SMARTEST KID IN THE UNIVERSE series, and many fun and funny page-turners co-authored with James Patterson. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 19, 2023
I can't say enough good things about Douglas Holgate's amazing illustrations. This graphic novel is like a technicolor movie for the mind!
April 30, 2023
SO much fun! This will bring another whole round of students into the Lemoncello series! I can't wait to share this will my students next year! And I will definitely be continuing on with the storyline as well, now!
April 17, 2023
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is a novel that I have often recommended to readers in my elementary school library. A graphic novel of this imaginative story works wonderfully. The story has a dozen 12 years olds getting to spend the weekend in a brand new library funded by Mr. Lemoncello. The kids are challenged to work through clues that take them through many sections of the library. The challenge is to find a way out by not using the doors.
The graphics are well done and I commend the author for making reading a huge part of the novel. (Not just graphics showing the story.) I can easily see the whole series being done this way. I think this will be enjoyable for readers 8 and up. And I will look forward to it adding it to my library. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s, Random House Graphic for the temporary ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
The graphics are well done and I commend the author for making reading a huge part of the novel. (Not just graphics showing the story.) I can easily see the whole series being done this way. I think this will be enjoyable for readers 8 and up. And I will look forward to it adding it to my library. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s, Random House Graphic for the temporary ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
December 18, 2023
one of my favorite books in like fourth grade, art style is cute, I was borderline physically ill upon realizing I have aged past the main characters
would recommend to any fans of Night At The Museum and/or Jumanji and/or escape rooms.
Super cute story anyone of any age can enjoy!
would recommend to any fans of Night At The Museum and/or Jumanji and/or escape rooms.
Super cute story anyone of any age can enjoy!
January 6, 2024
This book is wonderful as a graphic novel. The comic strip like illustrations really bring the whimsy and fun of the game inside the library.
This book starts with a contest to spend a night in the new library designed by none other than famous game maker Mr. Lemoncello. Once in the library, the students realize it is a big game to escape the library and need to look through various book clues.
This story seems like a mash-up of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and an escape room. The best part was all of the mentions of many classic books.
My elementary school daughter read this and really enjoyed it since graphic novels have really been her entry into loving reading. This book did not disappoint.
Thank you to Random House Children's and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
This book starts with a contest to spend a night in the new library designed by none other than famous game maker Mr. Lemoncello. Once in the library, the students realize it is a big game to escape the library and need to look through various book clues.
This story seems like a mash-up of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and an escape room. The best part was all of the mentions of many classic books.
My elementary school daughter read this and really enjoyed it since graphic novels have really been her entry into loving reading. This book did not disappoint.
Thank you to Random House Children's and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
September 2, 2023
Chris Grabenstein has been entertaining my middle grade library patrons for years with his solo books like Dog Squad and Smartest Kid in the Universe and in series co-written with James Patterson such as Max Einstein, House of Robots, and Treasure Hunters. His stand out Lemoncello series is innovative and filled with action, humor and allusions that will keep all levels of readers entertained. The kickoff book for that series is adapted in graphic novel format extremely well. Panels done by Douglas Holgate (Last Kids on Earth artist) are terrific and the heart of the original is clearly present. Kyle and an assortment of classmates race through the town’s new library in an attempt to find the elusive exit door and even with the limited text, most have well-developed personalities. The clues and puzzles are not as numerous as a those in the traditional format version but are still entertaining. My only disappointment with the graphic novel is in the omission of so many extraordinary features included in the actual operation of the library that blew my mind when I read the first version. Yes, there are holograms and a lift that takes you up physically to the top the of the stacks, but I’m not sure that readers of the graphic novel will realize how fantastic this library really is. All in all, this is a “first choice” selection for middle grade libraries with a well-trafficked graphic novel section.
Thanks for the print arc, Random House.
Thanks for the print arc, Random House.
December 28, 2023
This is a fantastic graphic adaptation to the novel. Illustrations are fun and engaging.
January 10, 2024
Such a fun graphic novel! This book is filled with twists and turns and is a playful middle grade novel that will have readers trying to solve the riddles of one of the coolest librarian owners and game creators out there, the one and only Mr. Lemoncello.
December 13, 2023
I read and reviewed the original book (see review here), so this review is less about the story and content than it is about the graphic novel format. I was so excited to see that there was going to be a graphic novel of this book, because if there was ever a book (and series) that was crying for a graphic novel to be made for it, it’s the Mr. Lemoncello’s Library books. The amazing library and all of its high-tech features are just too big for the imagination (not that I’m saying the author didn’t do well describing it all in the original novel). Plus, puzzles that the kids need to solve are often shown in the book, and they fit in much better in a graphic novel. The characters are distinctly different, which helps when you’re talking about an original 12 kids that get pared down along the way, and Mr. Lemoncello himself really came to life for me in this format.
On top of all of that, there is a 11-clue rebus puzzle hidden throughout the first 46 pages of the book, which, knowing about in advance, forced me to pay close attention to the background while I read. In the end, I had to go back and look really hard for one I’d missed (and throw out one that turned out to not be a clue). Maybe I’m too old to send my answer and be in the running for the prize, but as a puzzle-lover, it was a lot of fun to work it out after I’d finished the book.
I don’t know if the rest of the series will follow this graphic novel, but I do know that I sincerely hope that Mr. Grabenstein will continue the main series, since the last book definitely set up more to come. As for this book, though, I think that fans of the series will enjoy this new format, but I’d imagine that the idea for it is more to encourage kids who don’t care to read regular books to pick up this illustrated version and enjoy the story. Since I had already read the original book, I can’t say for sure how the story will come across to a newcomer, but I think it would be a fun read for 8-12-year-olds!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s Books for providing me a copy of this book to review.
On top of all of that, there is a 11-clue rebus puzzle hidden throughout the first 46 pages of the book, which, knowing about in advance, forced me to pay close attention to the background while I read. In the end, I had to go back and look really hard for one I’d missed (and throw out one that turned out to not be a clue). Maybe I’m too old to send my answer and be in the running for the prize, but as a puzzle-lover, it was a lot of fun to work it out after I’d finished the book.
I don’t know if the rest of the series will follow this graphic novel, but I do know that I sincerely hope that Mr. Grabenstein will continue the main series, since the last book definitely set up more to come. As for this book, though, I think that fans of the series will enjoy this new format, but I’d imagine that the idea for it is more to encourage kids who don’t care to read regular books to pick up this illustrated version and enjoy the story. Since I had already read the original book, I can’t say for sure how the story will come across to a newcomer, but I think it would be a fun read for 8-12-year-olds!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s Books for providing me a copy of this book to review.
May 17, 2023
I first read Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library about three years ago and loved it. I loved the characters and the excitement of the game and how much it reminded me of different classic stories like the ones mentioned throughout the book. When I was given the opportunity to read the ARC of the graphic novel version through NetGalley I jumped at the chance. I love graphic novels and I was excited to see what this adaptation would bring to this much loved book.
The graphic novel version of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is just as fantastic as the original. The graphics add such vibrancy to the story and bring to life the characters, game, and the library in a fresh way. The story visually plays out exactly as I imagined when I originally read it. The pacing of the story was excellent as well. Though I did feel l like there was some characterization that was lost in translation between the original story and the graphic novel. However, I think this is an amazing way to introduce new students to the wonderful world of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. I anticipate buying a copy for my elementary library when it is released and am excited to share it with my students!
The graphic novel version of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is just as fantastic as the original. The graphics add such vibrancy to the story and bring to life the characters, game, and the library in a fresh way. The story visually plays out exactly as I imagined when I originally read it. The pacing of the story was excellent as well. Though I did feel l like there was some characterization that was lost in translation between the original story and the graphic novel. However, I think this is an amazing way to introduce new students to the wonderful world of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. I anticipate buying a copy for my elementary library when it is released and am excited to share it with my students!
December 28, 2023
ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY tells the story of a group of students who are selected to participate in a lock-in in their town’s new library. This library—and lock-in—aren’t anything ordinary. The library has been designed by legendary gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello and he’s created an elaborate series of puzzles for the students to solve to win an amazing grand prize. As the students race to solve the clues, the message that teamwork, collaboration, and playing fair matter is repeated throughout the story. With its vibrant colors, quick pace, and lots of adventure, this graphic novel adaptation of Chris Grabenstein’s book will bring a new group of readers/patrons to Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. I know it will be a hit in my school’s library!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of the book to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of the book to read and review.
April 27, 2023
Yes, I judge a book by its cover. I really like the cover. I also enjoyed the story. The graphic novel of it caught my attention. The book is silly and funny and kind of all over the place, but in a weird way. I like how the kids get in a competition and get to spend a night in the library. (Who wouldn't want to spend a night in the library?) The book involves children problem solving, competing, and reading. Those are important things for kids to learn to do. I like the idea of the book, because that is something a teacher or school librarian could incorporate in the curriculum.
The way the author incorporates the class clown, with the rich kid, with the smart kid and others is enjoyable also. It shows that all are equal and can have fun in a library. I have already recommended this book to our school librarian and some teachers.
The way the author incorporates the class clown, with the rich kid, with the smart kid and others is enjoyable also. It shows that all are equal and can have fun in a library. I have already recommended this book to our school librarian and some teachers.
July 14, 2023
Thank you @randomhousekids for this gifted ARC to read and review.
Who doesn’t know or want to read Chris Grabenstein’s books, let alone a graphic novel? Double joy indeed! My son devoured this in less than 20 minutes and he LOVES it!!!
👦🏻 review: I have finished all Mr Limoncello books and this one made the reading easier with the graphics and word bubbles. The illustration is nice and the story became fast paced. I enjoyed the funny dialogues while they were trying to solve the clue. Also the pictures speak a thousand words. Great fun and easy read if you love a quick entertaining graphic novel. Also this will be in color once the final copy is out, I can’t wait!!!
Who doesn’t know or want to read Chris Grabenstein’s books, let alone a graphic novel? Double joy indeed! My son devoured this in less than 20 minutes and he LOVES it!!!
👦🏻 review: I have finished all Mr Limoncello books and this one made the reading easier with the graphics and word bubbles. The illustration is nice and the story became fast paced. I enjoyed the funny dialogues while they were trying to solve the clue. Also the pictures speak a thousand words. Great fun and easy read if you love a quick entertaining graphic novel. Also this will be in color once the final copy is out, I can’t wait!!!
October 19, 2023
As a lover of the library, I knew I had to take a chance on requesting this arc from NetGalley and Random House Children’s. I have no read the novel that inspires this graphic novel; however, I am now inspired to. This graphic novel is gorgeously illustrated with beautiful, vibrant colors. The underlying morals within the story are wonderful and the quirky adventure is fun. I really enjoyed all the visuals of the clues so that you could work it out alongside the children as they work to escape from the library. This will definitely be a series, novel and graphic novels included, that I want for my in home library one day.
October 26, 2023
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
5 stars = Outstanding!
This exceeded all of my expectations. I loved having visuals for this amazing story. And the adaptation into a graphic novel is done so well - I didn't feel like there were big gaps in the story, even though I knew there were parts trimmed out for the format. The artwork is excellent. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Fans of the prose novel will love having the visuals, and newcomers can fall in love with the basic story before diving into the full novel.
5 stars = Outstanding!
This exceeded all of my expectations. I loved having visuals for this amazing story. And the adaptation into a graphic novel is done so well - I didn't feel like there were big gaps in the story, even though I knew there were parts trimmed out for the format. The artwork is excellent. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Fans of the prose novel will love having the visuals, and newcomers can fall in love with the basic story before diving into the full novel.
February 17, 2024
The city of Alexandriaville, Ohio has not had a public library for the past twelve years. Naturally this means when one is built it needs to be celebrated with much fanfare. The futuristic library, built by the eccentric game maker Luigi Lemoncello, becomes a fun filled escape room where 12 twelves year olds will have a night to make it out to win a life changing surprise!
The story reads as part Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and part escape room. It had me flipping pages so quickly due to the non-stop action and trying to figure out the clues along with the kids. I loved how they had to learn to work with each other... well most of them. I also loved that this whole game was created to introduce the concept of a public library to a group of kids that never had one.
I mean being trapped in a library sounds like a grand idea! Add in fun games, food, and obviously the plethora of books I'd be a happy camper. I related to Sierra, always has a book in her hand, so much. She made my heart smile. Was I rooting against a 12 year old? You betcha and I am looking at you Charles...
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. It will be on my recommendation lists.
The story reads as part Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and part escape room. It had me flipping pages so quickly due to the non-stop action and trying to figure out the clues along with the kids. I loved how they had to learn to work with each other... well most of them. I also loved that this whole game was created to introduce the concept of a public library to a group of kids that never had one.
I mean being trapped in a library sounds like a grand idea! Add in fun games, food, and obviously the plethora of books I'd be a happy camper. I related to Sierra, always has a book in her hand, so much. She made my heart smile. Was I rooting against a 12 year old? You betcha and I am looking at you Charles...
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. It will be on my recommendation lists.
March 3, 2024
Fantastic book, so fun to solve the puzzles and find out what happens next! Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has been on my TBR list for a while and when I saw this graphic novel version I was psyched to be able to read the story in a quick illustrated version. The graphics are so colorful and fun. I would still like to go back and read the full chapter book sometime but I also can’t wait to dive into the rest of Lemoncello’s escape games!
April 18, 2023
I got an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoy this book series and I found the graphic novel version to be so much fun. It celebrates teamwork, games, education, and the library system. There are puzzles that the reader can try to solve alongside the characters. I highly recommend it for middle grade readers.
April 24, 2023
Thank you to #NetGalley, Chris Grabenstein and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Kyle and eleven other kids are the lucky winners of a first hand experience to see the new library built by the eccentric Mr. Lemoncello! The library is full of games, new electronics and of course books! Once the lock-in is over though, the doors remain locked for Kyle and the other kids. They now have to solve a series of puzzles and clues to get out and win Mr. Lemoncello's biggest prize ever!
I loved the original Mr. Lemoncello's library and the graphic novel is even better. The pictures really make the story come to life. Readers will not be disappointed.
Kyle and eleven other kids are the lucky winners of a first hand experience to see the new library built by the eccentric Mr. Lemoncello! The library is full of games, new electronics and of course books! Once the lock-in is over though, the doors remain locked for Kyle and the other kids. They now have to solve a series of puzzles and clues to get out and win Mr. Lemoncello's biggest prize ever!
I loved the original Mr. Lemoncello's library and the graphic novel is even better. The pictures really make the story come to life. Readers will not be disappointed.
November 25, 2023
This was a lot of fun! The graphic novel wasn't lacking in plot or character development, as some book adaptations can be. I enjoyed all of the book references and solving the clues along with the kids.
January 18, 2024
A graphic novel adaptation of Grabenstein's book about a group of kids who get to be the first to experience Alexandria, Ohio's new library sponsored by Mr. Lemoncello. After spending the night Mr. Lemoncello invites any who want to compete to see if they can find the secret exit from the library using clues both presented and waiting to be found.
This is a very faithful adaptation of the original. It has been a while since I read the original, but I think there were more levels/games to the competition in the original but that's about the only difference. I felt like the illustration style matched the tone of the story well and will appeal to today's readers.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Children come from a host of ethnic backgrounds including Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Arabic American, and White American.
GBLTQ+ content: None
Other: One of the players verbally puts others down and manipulates others for his own selfish goals.
This is a very faithful adaptation of the original. It has been a while since I read the original, but I think there were more levels/games to the competition in the original but that's about the only difference. I felt like the illustration style matched the tone of the story well and will appeal to today's readers.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Children come from a host of ethnic backgrounds including Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Arabic American, and White American.
GBLTQ+ content: None
Other: One of the players verbally puts others down and manipulates others for his own selfish goals.
April 18, 2023
A fun graphic novel version of the first Mr. Lemoncello book. Young readers who know the story will especially enjoy it! This version brings the story to life in a new and exciting way!
June 19, 2023
I absolutely LOVED Mr. Lemoncello's Library in chapter book form, so I was delighted when I discovered that they created a graphic novel version. I was able to relive everything I LOVED from the chapter book once again,
This is the story of a remarkable library created by Mr. Lemoncello and the 12 kids who got to enjoy his library before it was officially open to the public. Of course, Mr. Lemoncello made his fortune making games, so the winner of his library challenge gets a stellar prize. Who will win? Read on to find out!
Riddled with riddles, puzzled with puzzles and haunted by clues, the characters have to navigate the game to escape the library.
Highly recommend both versions of this novel! Enjoy!
This is the story of a remarkable library created by Mr. Lemoncello and the 12 kids who got to enjoy his library before it was officially open to the public. Of course, Mr. Lemoncello made his fortune making games, so the winner of his library challenge gets a stellar prize. Who will win? Read on to find out!
Riddled with riddles, puzzled with puzzles and haunted by clues, the characters have to navigate the game to escape the library.
Highly recommend both versions of this novel! Enjoy!
July 29, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the advance copy for review.
Mr. Lemoncello's Library is such a wonderful book in the classroom. Now even more kids will be able to jump into his wacky library. The story is exciting and engaging for readers and the illustrations in the Graphic Novel add so much more to the story. This will definitely be an addition to my classroom.
Mr. Lemoncello's Library is such a wonderful book in the classroom. Now even more kids will be able to jump into his wacky library. The story is exciting and engaging for readers and the illustrations in the Graphic Novel add so much more to the story. This will definitely be an addition to my classroom.
August 7, 2023
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun read! I’ve enjoyed the series since they first came out and the graphic novel brought the story more to life!
October 21, 2023
Thank you Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This book was so much fun! A never ending adventure and a gift to readers everywhere, shining with power of reading and importance of books and libraries. The graphic novel format brings the story to life. Can’t wait to share it with my students!
October 31, 2023
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library is one of my favorite middle grade books to sample with students. It's such a fun read and so unique, and kids get so excited about the different challenges and their favorite characters! I was really excited to see that a graphic novel was being published, as that's a great way to introduce new readers to great stories. I loved both the artwork and the quick pacing of the graphic novel, but a lot of the details that make the original so special get lost in this new format. I would recommend it to readers who love the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series or want to get a taste of the stories, but I wouldn't recommend it as a replacement of the original book.
I really do think the graphic novel was executed very well! The detail in the images as well as the dialogue and fast-paced storytelling will be a big hit with kids. It definitely kept my attention as I was reading, but it just didn't have that same magical feeling as the original novel. I really think that the story is just told better with a traditional format. Regardless, I will still be purchasing it for my school library!
I really do think the graphic novel was executed very well! The detail in the images as well as the dialogue and fast-paced storytelling will be a big hit with kids. It definitely kept my attention as I was reading, but it just didn't have that same magical feeling as the original novel. I really think that the story is just told better with a traditional format. Regardless, I will still be purchasing it for my school library!
November 7, 2023
This was a really great read! I have never read any of the Mr. Lemoncello’s books, but I'm thinking I might need to start after reading this book. I loved the graphic novel format; it definitely helped me fly through this story. The illustrations and colors were wonderful, and they really helped bring this story to life. It'd be great if the other books in this story get turned into graphic novels too!
Thank you to Random House Children's, Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to Random House Children's, Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 21, 2024
This spoke to my library loving heart
It’s like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with books for clues instead of Oompa Loompas
It’s like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with books for clues instead of Oompa Loompas
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews