An incredible and incredibly fun adaptation of what is already a hugely popular series for elementary and middle grade readers. This graphic adaptation is a must-read for anyone looking for a clever adventure mystery, whether that reader is avid or reluctant. This one will grab on and get readers excited about the myriad other books that serve as clues throughout the story. And all of those literary references are wonderful Easter eggs for readers in the know.

This was brilliant! Although I had never read any Mr Lemoncello book before, this as a standalone was brilliant.
This is an excellent middle-grade read, the drawings and text perfectly complement each other.

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!

I loved this book! Having read the original series growing up, I was immediately transported back to my childhood. This graphic novel perfectly captures the child-like wonder and fun that comes with Mr. Lemoncello!

Thanks to Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the ARC

“Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library“ is a middle grade novel that was published ten years ago. Since then, the bestselling novel has become much loved series. Now author, Cris Grabbenstein has adapted his original book into a graphic novel, bringing it to a new reading audience. Many children who do not love to read traditional books devour graphics. Adaptations are a fantastic way to introduce those readers to the story. Because this is written by the original author, this adaptation includes all the important elements that make the story work. Billionaire game maker, Lemoncello has given the town a new library. Much like Willy Wonka, Lemoncello has let a small group into the library for a lockdown the night before the grand opening. But all the initial fun and games lead to a giant escape room game with a grand prize for the winner. Al the clues that the children must find are in the books and the children must get to know their library to solve the puzzle. The story is riddled with library lore and book references. The most amusing way they are included is that Lemoncello talks in titles. The number one rule in the game is to be gentle with each other as well as the books and exhibits. The colorful illustrations by Douglas Holgate add excitement to the action. But they also help bring home this message of fair play with his great drawings of characters’ emotional reactions when things go awry. This graphic novel was fun to read, and I hope that the author plans to adapt the rest of the series.

I was already familiar with the author’s works because James Patterson is one of my must-read authors, and Grabenstein has coauthored or illustrated many of the middle grade books I loved. That is why I requested a review copy of this Random House Graphic from NetGalley. I loved this book. The best thing about a good graphic novel is that it may not only introduce the book to a reader, but that it might inspire that person to read the original. Now that I have had a glimpse of this world, I can’t wait to explore the series. I already have the original book at the top of my reading list.

I recommend this book to Chris Grabenstein fans, graphic novel readers, and bibliophiles and puzzle solvers of all ages.

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 remember loving reading Mr. Lemoncello's Library when it was first released, so when I saw the graphic novel version I was absolutely delighted, as my son vastly prefers graphic novels to longer novels. This version of Mr. Lemoncello's library maintains all the excitement and adventure of the novel while enhancing the story with bright illustrations and quick pacing. I know my kids are going to love it!

I do feel that readers miss out on some of the puzzle details that made this book so fun for bibliophiles of all ages, but that said, I definintely think that young readers who pick up this book will use it as a gateway to read more of the series. Mr. Lemoncello wins again!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are completely my own.

What a great graphic novel adaptation! I was such a fan of the original book, I’m so glad they did a great job with the graphic novel.

If you’ve never read the original Mr. Lemon cello’s book, you’re in for a treat with this one! Lots of bright colors, wacky artistry and awesome puzzles!

Kids and adults alike will enjoy reading this one! Hopefully they’ll continue adapting the rest of the series 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Chris Grabenstein has done it again! The new graphic novel edition of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library totally knocks it out of the book stacks!

I admit that I was a bit hesitant about this one – I mean, really: how could anything top the awesomeness that is the original Mr. Lemoncello? Author Chris Grabenstein and artist Douglas Holgate have done amazing work, though, and this new version deserves shelf space right next to the original.

I love how close to the original storyline this new version is. The text both maintains the depth of the original and even the fun of the original language.

The artwork adds even more depth. Holgate uses colors masterfully, using different palates to indicate flashbacks, tone, and meaning. Students can dig into these, as well as the font, size, and other textual elements to study the inferences and glean more depth from the story.

I can see many uses for this book beyond basic entertainment – not to make light of the wealth of enjoyment it’s sure to bring kids all over the world.

In addition to all of these great features, this new version makes the moral lessons of Mr. Lemoncello abundantly clear. In this version we can see the upset faces of the kids who have to leave the game because they didn’t follow the rules. We can see the hurt on faces when other kids aren’t nice, and that really helps bring these moral lessons home.

The graphic novel version of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is a fantastic addition to the Lemoncello universe. It will make these stories – and the very real, very important life and character lessons they share – accessible to even more children. All libraries who carry books for children should have these Lemoncello books on their shelves.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It was fun to revisit the world of Mr. Lemoncello through a graphic novel. It’s a book that lends itself well to a visual adaptation. The illustrations brought the game to life, which makes it even more fun for the reader playing along. Nice to see a diverse group of kids represented. I most enjoyed seeing favorite book covers illustrated. Just like with the original novel, it’s fun to catch sly references to book titles in the dialogue.

I have not read the novel, so this is my first time meeting Kyle Keeney. The concept was so fun but the escape game was a bit all over the place... But maybe that was because I was not familiar with the story. One thing for sure is I really LOVE the illustration, so colorful & eye pleasing, it suits the story's ambiance so much.

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!

Excellent depiction of the novel that revitalizes the original story. Great for readers who enjoy escape rooms and puzzle stories, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or The Wishing Game. Appropriate for ages 6 and up, depending on the child.

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.

** “(There’s) something about the mix of a wondrous, imagination-filled library, a pun-making game maker, and an escape room bursting with puzzles and clues created by a particular kind of reading magic.” **

Ten years after Chris Grabenstein’s “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” was released, we can now revisit the fabulously fun story through a new graphic novel version, illustrated by Douglas Holgate.

Kyle Keeley and his friends are invited to visit the new library designed by Luigi L. Lemoncello, designer of games galore. Twelve seventh-graders are invited to participate in a series of games and scavenger hunts in the library before the public can see the space.

Kyle and some of his friends — Akimi, Miguel, Sierra and Haley — work together to figure out the clues and solve the puzzle.

“Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” is a story of teamwork and trust; never giving up (“Well, Kyle, let this be a lesson to us all. The game is never over until it’s over”); learning to be gentle with each other and our belongings; the act of being selfish versus sacrificial; and the power of knowledge and the importance of sharing it (“Knowledge not shared remains unknown.” Luigi L. Lemoncello).

It is filled with very colorful, fun illustrations by Holgate, excellently bringing to life the wonderful story Grabenstein created 10 years ago.

Children of all ages will enjoy this book, which is due out Nov. 7, as well as fans of authors like Lemony Snicket.

Five stars out of five.

Random House Graphic provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

This is the cutest book! If you have read the series, then you will love this graphic novel. If you have a little one starting out, then this graphic novel can help them to move into the other books.

As a librarian I'm jealous of Mr. Lemoncello's library, and I love that the story encourages friendship and reading, but I just didn't like this story. I couldn't finish the chapter book so I was hoping this would be better, and while I like the similarity to The Westing Game, I just didn't like any of the characters. If you like the chapter book, you'll love this, it's bright and colorful and full of the same riddles and clues from the original. Still, great for middle graders who want to get into longer books.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library- the graphic novel
By Chris Grabenstein
Nov. 7
Random House Graphic
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
So much fun! Kids are going to love this addition to the series. Illustrations by HOLGATE are wonderful .
I will be recommending this for readers 8 years old and up. Very well done!
4 stars

I was already a fan of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library after reading the juvenile novel, but now I want to go and visit it! This graphic novel is a perfect compliment to the original story, and brings it alive with illustrations of what the library and characters look like. I found myself laughing over and over at the literary puns included throughout the story too! Thanks for bringing this story to life again for graphic novel readers! It is a blast!

Another delightful romp from this author. I really enjoyed this book as with the others in the series!