Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Chris Granbenstein
Random House, 2013

Even before Willy Wonka is mentioned, readers will note the similarities between Mr. Lemoncello and Wonka: both are as quirky and eccentric as they come, and both enjoy creating a mysterious "playground" of sorts for children to explore. The nice ones survive and move ahead; the mean kids are out of luck.

In Mr. Lemoncello's case, it's a new library for a town that's been without for twelve years. Mr. Lemoncello is a famous game maker--both board and video--who's now a billionaire and decides to create the ultimate library + game for this small town that gave him his own beginnings in puzzle making and solving. In true eccentric fashion, his library will open with twelve twelve year olds playing an elaborate game of "escape from the library" in one 24-hour period. Kyle Keeley, game player extraordinaire but NOT a reader, is one of the twelve lucky participants, and he can hardly wait. His other eleven companions are the types of characters that enable the reader to immediately guess who's going to win and who's going to lose. After all, jerks and wimps are pretty easy to recognize, but team players nearly always get ahead--at least in books!

The game makes this book: it's elaborate, full of tricks like holographic former librarians, and is all being supervised by the actively involved Mr. Lemoncello (albeit from a distance through video cams).

What doesn't make this book are the very things that are probably supposed to make the book: the myriad references to libraries and books. Oh, the books which are referenced! Favorites of this reader, to be sure--grown-up books, kids' books, old books, new books. I had a great time noting the references, some of which are quite obscure. And there's the problem: what twelve year old who really has read enough to get all those references is going to pick this book to read next? And, if you're a gamer like Kyle who doesn't like to read, will you get any of the references? Will you really want to go read all those books?

No, I'm afraid Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, although it's getting lots of praise from professional reviews, is not going to be the crowd pleaser people seem to think it will be. It's a fun read, but it's hard to figure out who the audience will be who really gets into this: grown-up librarians or the type of kids it's about?

I rarely say this, but I think this book--ironically enough--would make a better movie than book. It's high adventure and would beg for terrific special effects. But a good read? Hmm...

Age recommendation: 9-12/middle grades
Book cover from publisher

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max, Book 1)
Cynthia Voigt
Iacopo Bruno, illustrator
Knopf, 2013

Voigt is a well known author, to be sure (especially for her Tillerman books--Dicey's Song was a Newbery winner from back in the day). She also won the Margaret A. Edwards award in 1995 (for lifetime achievement). And yet, we haven't heard much from her in recent years.

There's no question that Voigt can write, and write well at that. On the surface, her latest book seemed tailor made for me: I love a good mystery. I enjoy historic time periods and settings. I relish a good, open ending. Quirky characters, a dog, some art, the life of the theater--what's not to like?

When the book opens, Max's parents--both actors and owners of the Starling Theater Company--are planning a monumental trip to India. Max gets to go along. Until the day his parents board the boat and the boat leaves...without him. But, because Max is a quick thinker, he soon finds out that the boat they were supposed to board didn't exist. Therefore, did the whole trip exist? Are his parents in trouble? Did they know about this ahead of time? Is this an elaborate game or some nefarious plot? The reader doesn't know either, and we spend the next several hundred pages working on this mystery along with Max.

Thankfully, Max's grandmother lives close by, so he's not completely alone at the tender age of 12. He also has his painting instructor, a new tutor, and a new spunky girl to help him make sense of life and survive. And survive he does through his newly created "Mister Max" business: he solves minor mysteries for hire. Each time Max shows up for a new job, he's crafted a new disguise using his parents' many costumes. Thus, no one knows it's really a twelve year old boy underneath.

By the end of the book, we've learned a lot about Max and his parents (including where they are, although not how/why they got there), and Max has helped long lost lovers reunite, his painting instructor discover a new technique, and made some good friends. We're nicely set up, too, for the next book in the series.

And yet... Frankly, this book was too long. I finished it several weeks ago and am still mulling over just what didn't work. I enjoyed the characterization both of Max and the supporting cast. I enjoyed the overall dramatic framework of the book ("Act I"). But the length of the book draws out the mystery surrounding the parents' disappearance a little too long. We're bored with where his parents might be by the end and are much more invested in the here and now with Max and his new friends.

Age recommendation: 9-12/middle grades
Cover image from publisher
Thanks to publisher via netgalley for ARC!

Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind

Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind
Caroline Adderson, author
Ben Clanton, illustrator
Kids Can Press, 2013


When I reviewed the first Jasper John Dooley book, I compared him to Junie B. Jones (Jasper John Dooley is my kind of character; Junie B.? not so much). And since I like little Jasper John so much, I was delighted to get to read an ARC of the second.

Now, I must confess....that second book has now been out long enough now to be IN MY LIBRARY. Shame on me for "sitting" on this review for so long. But there it is. Life sometimes intervenes. Best laid plans and all...

So, without further ado, let's revisit Jasper John. In this charming second book--which I might like even better than the first!--Jasper is bidding his grandmother farewell as she leaves for a cruise. He usually spends one afternoon a week with his grandmother. Jasper's character is spot on for a first grade boy. I love the things he does while she's gone--things that make perfect sense to a six-year-old. For instance, he catches rain water and air in different little cups so he can share them with his Nan when she returns. He feels deflated when she's gone, and the descriptions of his emotions are pitch perfect for 1st and 2nd graders. They will relate.

This book makes a great read aloud to K-2nd graders and also a PERFECT early chapter book if kids in that age group can read. We have too few solid books about boys in this category. If you need a good summer reading choice for those hot days coming in July, check out little Jasper John Dooley!

Book in ARC form from publisher and via netgalley; cover image from goodreads

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brockett

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brockett
John Boyne, author
Oliver Jeffers, illustrator
Random House (Alfred A. Knopf BFYR)
2012

I was drawn to this book because I like quirky stories, and I'm a huge fan of Oliver Jeffers (the illustrator). And, this book comes out on my birthday! (at least in the U.S.)

This book started out great! Poor Barnaby Brockett, born to terrible parents, sibling to two very ordinary kids, and master to one devoted dog. The book reads much as a classic Roald Dahl book might (complete with TERRIBLE parents!), and Jeffers's illustrations add a similar touch as Quentin Blake's might.

Navigating Early

Navigating Early
Clare Vanderpool
Random House
2013

My birthday (Jan 8) this year is a popular release date for the first batch of middle grade novels--if the three I've read are any indication! And not just any ol' bunch of middle grade novels... these are by big time folks. Vanderpool's name might not mean much to our Literaritea readers, but her first middle grade novel won that little Newbery award a couple of years back (Moon Over Manifest). Yes, indeed. And any time a former Newbery winner releases another book, you better believe we jump on it. So I did. And Random House kindly let me read it in ARC form (thanks RH!).

When I read an Advanced Reader Copy, I frequently jump into the book "cold." That is, I know little to nothing of the plot, see no other praise/comments such as might appear on the book cover, and frequently don't see a cover (or a poor image of one). Thus, I enter the reading experience with no preconceptions except those based on my previous reading of the same author's works. Definitely true in the case of Navigating Early. I didn't even know how long it was because I was too lazy to scan the small font on the first ARC page that would have told me that info.

I wasn't wowed by Moon Over Manifest, I'll be honest. Navigating Early is a much stronger work in my opinion. Another historical fiction work, this time set just at the end of WWII in a boys' boarding school in Maine, Navigating Early follows one boy's journey to come to grips with his mother's death and his father's seeming unconcern for him. In the process, he meets the unique Early Auden, goes on a fantastical voyage that weaves in and out of the mythic story of Pi (including the discovery of further numbers), and helps bring closure to more than one person in Early's famous family.

If Early Auden were living today, we would diagnose him somewhere on the autism spectrum--probably Asberger's. I really like that he is NOT diagnosed in this book (he wouldn't have been labeled in the WWII time period either). I think this adds to his character significantly. We want to label people in so many ways; isn't it better to befriend them and learn from them regardless of what label they might carry? Jack learns that Early is a true friend. And Jack learns how to be a friend back.

Early teaches Jack many things on their voyage to find the giant bear, to follow Pi's journey, and to complete their quest. What Jack doesn't know is that Early's absolute conviction of his brother's survival from war (against ALL official evidence), his knowledge of the mathematical intricacies involved in the number Pi, and his childlike faith in the details he notices are all true--even though the casual observer would never believe it. Early notices myriad details that others miss, perhaps because he's not so caught up in the social issues that bog most folks down. Part magical realism, part quest, and all friendship, this story works for me better than Moon Over Manifest. It's a touch too long and struggles a bit with the voice--sounds more like an adult narrating than Jack many times. Still, it's worth reading, and I think many sensitive young readers will enjoy this one.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Joe Berger, illustrator
Candlewick, 2012 (U.S. date)

If you're like me, you can't read that title without beginning to hum the theme song from the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (which, in my mind, isn't a bad thing ☺). Did you know that there was first a book? Yes, yes there was--written by Ian Fleming.

Did you know, too, that Frank Cottrell Boyce is a master of terrific adventure stories and was given permission from the Ian Fleming estate to continue Chitty's adventures? His stories are very British, are technically fantasy since the events couldn't actually happen, and are exactly the kind of story you wish might really happen. I mean, after all, who wouldn't want to go up in a rocket and see the moon? Or find a million dollars? What about repairing an old camper van only to discover that it can fly and has a mind of its own?

Weekly Round-Up: Some Olympics Themed Reading!

The Olympics are just around the corner!! In honor of this favorite sporting event of mine, here are some reading ideas--some are about Olympians and some are about London (past or present). Enjoy these last few weeks of summer with some non-school reading ☺. With the exception of the Dodsworth title, all are middle school friendly and up.

Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by John Feinstein is a mystery set at, you guessed it, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. A very fun read.

Speed to Glory: the Cullen Jones Story is a short, readable biography of Olympian swimmer Cullen Jones. He is on the U.S.A. 2012 Olympics Team, too, and will be racing with his college teammate, the famous Michael Phelps.

Heart of a Champion: the Dominique Dawes Story is a short, readable biography of former Olympian gymnast, part of the famous Magnificent 7 U.S.A. team who won gold in the 2000 Olympics here on U.S. soil.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd is a part adventure, part mystery set in, of course, London! Nothing to do with the Olympics, per se, but lots to do with London itself and very contemporary.

Dodsworth in London by Tim Egan is an Easy Reader book featuring the intrepid Dodsworth and his faithful duck companion. Nothing to do with the Olympics, but young readers will see lots of familiar London landmarks in the quirky illustrations.

The Official London 2012 Olympics Website also features LOTS of information on the upcoming events in London as well as some great information on past medalists and Olympics history (plus a slew of ever changing photos!).

The Official Olympics Website is also a treasure trove of Olympics-related information to explore. Check it out!

Cover images for books from goodreads and Zondervan; Olympics flag found on Olympic Website; London Image from London2012 Website.

The Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress (+ free download)

The Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress
Oliver Hunkin, John Bunyan, and Alan Parry (illustrator)
Eerdmans
1985


The Pigrim's Progress is one of those stories that is part of our cultural background--even if you are not a Christian. Granted, Christians place much more emphasis on this story because it is such a good allegory of our Christian journey/faith. Regardless of your perspective, the old, original form of the story can be a challenging read since it is roughly 350 years old.

Enter: The Dangerous Journey. A fully illustrated, abridged version of The Pilgrim's Progress, The Dangerous Journey is approachable for kids but is also a terrific refresher or introduction for adults as well. The story is abridged, but it still is told using the original language.

Want to go through The Dangerous Journey with your family? Check out Redeemed Reader's Children's Guide, available as a free download this week!!

Note for concerned parents: Redeemed Reader recommends this guide for ages 9 and up. I have read The Dangerous Journey with my children (ages 5, 5, and 6), but there are some meaty concepts in this story AND there are some fairly intense images which may frighten young/sensitive children--particularly if they haven't been exposed to much fantasy. I will no doubt revisit it in a few years using the study guide and do more discussion with them; this summer, our church is doing a Dangerous Journey themed program on Wednesday nights, so we've been following along in the book at home.

Cosmic

Cosmic
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Macmillan UK, 2008
published in US in 2010

This book is totally cosmic...really. Hilarious. Well-written. Great characterization. Celebration of dads (I mean, c'mon--since when does THAT happen in a middle grades book??). Out-of-this-world adventure (for real). And I am *definitely* bumping Boyce's Millions to the top of the to read pile.

When the book opens, we hear Liam narrating to his cell phone: "Mom, Dad--if you're listening--you know I said I was going to the South Lakeland Outdoor Activity Center with the school? To be completely honest, I'm not exactly in the Lake District. To be completely honest, I'm more sort of in space...."