Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein
2013, Random House
2013, Random House
What happens when a group of children are locked in a newly built
library, the first library they have ever been to? Join Kyle Keely and his
friends as they try to solve their way out of Mr. Lemoncello's Library through a
mysterious adventure. Whoever escapes the library first will become the new face of Mr. Lemoncello's company. Mr. Lemoncello creates a adventure through the library using the Dewey Decimal system, word games, their knowledge of authors, and other library tools for clues and challenges in the library. Who will escape from the library first?
library, the first library they have ever been to? Join Kyle Keely and his
friends as they try to solve their way out of Mr. Lemoncello's Library through a
mysterious adventure. Whoever escapes the library first will become the new face of Mr. Lemoncello's company. Mr. Lemoncello creates a adventure through the library using the Dewey Decimal system, word games, their knowledge of authors, and other library tools for clues and challenges in the library. Who will escape from the library first?
Fascinating, Clever, Creative, and Entertaining
"Here's an instantly engaging and wildly creative mystery that is sure to have
readers looking at their humble local library in a new light...An ode to
libraries and literature that is a worthy successor to the original madman
puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka."
—Booklist
readers looking at their humble local library in a new light...An ode to
libraries and literature that is a worthy successor to the original madman
puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka."
—Booklist
Awards & Honors:
ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Books
Association for Library Service to Children's "TWEEN RECOMMENDED READS"
Association for Library Service to Children's "TWEEN RECOMMENDED READS"
Helpful Information:
Grade Level- 4-8
Age Level- 8-10
Reading Level-Fountas and Pinnell- Q
Lexile- 720L
Suggested Delivery- Read-a-loud, independent read
Genre- Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
Age Level- 8-10
Reading Level-Fountas and Pinnell- Q
Lexile- 720L
Suggested Delivery- Read-a-loud, independent read
Genre- Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
Key Vocabulary:
Sync- in a state in which two or more people or things move or
happen together at the same time and speed
Mirage- an optical illusion
Tromp- to walk heavily
Traipsed- walk or move wearily or reluctantly
Magnanimous- very generous or forgiving
Rebus- a riddle or puzzle made up of letters, pictures, or
symbols whose names sound like the parts or syllables of a word or phrase
Dewey decimal system- a library classification system, books are marked
with an appropriate number (for location) based on their subject. This makes it
possible to find any particular book using the number, and to return it to its
proper place on the library shelves.
happen together at the same time and speed
Mirage- an optical illusion
Tromp- to walk heavily
Traipsed- walk or move wearily or reluctantly
Magnanimous- very generous or forgiving
Rebus- a riddle or puzzle made up of letters, pictures, or
symbols whose names sound like the parts or syllables of a word or phrase
Dewey decimal system- a library classification system, books are marked
with an appropriate number (for location) based on their subject. This makes it
possible to find any particular book using the number, and to return it to its
proper place on the library shelves.
Comprehension Strategies:
Before Reading Strategies:
Visit Your School Library!
This novel takes place in no ordinary library. So what better way to start reading the book than at your own school's library. Bring students to the library and look closely at how the Dewy decimal system operates and how you can locate certain books. You can even introduce children to some of the books and authors included in Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.
This novel takes place in no ordinary library. So what better way to start reading the book than at your own school's library. Bring students to the library and look closely at how the Dewy decimal system operates and how you can locate certain books. You can even introduce children to some of the books and authors included in Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.
During Reading Strategies:
Character Diary
Have students step into the shoes of a character in the book. While reading the book have students keep a diary of what the actions of their certain character. Encourage students to not only write what happened but also how they think they character feels or what they are thinking.
Have students step into the shoes of a character in the book. While reading the book have students keep a diary of what the actions of their certain character. Encourage students to not only write what happened but also how they think they character feels or what they are thinking.
After Reading Strategies:
Create a Game!
Have students work in small groups, pairs, or individually to create game boards based on the novel. This would be great way for students to "quiz" others on their comprehension and understanding of the novel. Have students incorporate the setting, characters, events, and games from the story into their game. Such as having the game pieces be the characters from the game and certain spots on the board you'll have to answer a question about the novel.
Have students work in small groups, pairs, or individually to create game boards based on the novel. This would be great way for students to "quiz" others on their comprehension and understanding of the novel. Have students incorporate the setting, characters, events, and games from the story into their game. Such as having the game pieces be the characters from the game and certain spots on the board you'll have to answer a question about the novel.
Writing Activity:
Author Report
Many authors are mentioned throughout this novel, most of which are probably new to your students. Authors that are mentioned include Dr. Seuss, Lewis Carroll, Shel Silverstein, Agatha Christie, Maya Angelou, and Edgar Allan Poe. Have students choose one of the authors and do a author report on them, that they can then present to the class. Encourage students to use online resources, biographies, and the school library to gather information. Have them include important facts such as:
Many authors are mentioned throughout this novel, most of which are probably new to your students. Authors that are mentioned include Dr. Seuss, Lewis Carroll, Shel Silverstein, Agatha Christie, Maya Angelou, and Edgar Allan Poe. Have students choose one of the authors and do a author report on them, that they can then present to the class. Encourage students to use online resources, biographies, and the school library to gather information. Have them include important facts such as:
- When they were born, are they still alive, or when the died.
- Where they are from.
- What works they published.
- What are they most well known for.
- What they wrote about.
- Any additional facts or stories about the author.
Resources:
- Chris Grabenstein's site has a great Study Guide for Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library. The guide includes comprehension questions (great for a reading journal), discussion questions, activities, and vocabulary. If you plan on using this book in your class I recommend that you take a look at this study guide.
- TeachingBooks.net offers multiple resources for Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Included on the page is a great video book trailer that you can show your class and interviews with Chris Grabenstein. Both great things to spark your students interest in the book.