Skip to main content

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein

Brief synopsis: Some people are claiming that the first games at Mr. Lemoncello's library were not fair because not everyone got a chance to compete. So Mr. Lemoncello organizes a country-wide competition, bringing in teams from all over the country. Meanwhile, previously disqualified contestant Charles Chilington and his family try to destroy the library. 

Category: Juvenile 

Why I chose this book: Sequel to Mr. Lemoncello's Library (previously reviewed here:

My personal opinion: This sequel was almost as fun as much fun to read as the first Mr. Lemoncello book. I really love reading about all the technology and gaming systems the library contains. This book centers around the idea of banned books and freedom of access to material (not that everyone has to read them, but that there should be access available). It also shows the value of teamwork from opposing sides or when there isn't really a prize or something to be gained from working to solve a problem. 

Warnings
Language: None
Violence: None
"Adult" situations: None 
Death: None

Movie rating equivalent: PG

Protagonist description: A typical middle schooler who is good at solving word and picture puzzles and standing up for what is right even when there isn't a prize involved. 

Point of view of story: Third, Kyle

Book length: Very short

Story flow: Fluid

Grammar and spelling issues: None

Character connection (no spoilers): None

For series:
Independent or integral: Technically integral, but aside from Kyle saying that he is worried they won't win like they did in the last games the story itself stands alone.

Series review as a whole: Really fun, easy reading. Problem solving and puzzles. Promotes libraries and free thought/access to material

If you only have time for one, read: Both are equally good, but start with Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Game by Terry Schott

Brief synopsis (no spoilers) What if this life is just a simulation? What if our bodies are in another world, plugged into a virtual reality game, and our entire life is just one play in that game? What would our real life be like, if we could experience several full simulated lifespans, in our teen years, and then enter adulthood? That is the premise of this story. Category Sci-Fi Why I chose this book It was either free or discounted on Amazon, and sounded interesting My personal opinion (the review) Too many inconsistencies. For example: The real world is able to view the players in the game in "real time", but time in the game is sped up, so that a week in real life is worth a decade in the virtual world. How do real world people have enough time to experience the virtual world, in real time, while still being accelerated? Danielle enters the game 3 days behind Trew, but she only ends up being 1 year younger. If a week is a decade in the game, then 3 days should have be...

Mark of Fire by Richard Phillips

Brief synopsis (no spoilers): Two main stories: Carol, the daughter of Lord Rafel, wants to be a magic wielder. As she learns magic and grows in strength, she is unaware that she is being hunted by the greatest wielder in the world. The second story is about a ward of Rafel's, named Blade, who becomes an infamous assassin and works for the king. The king sends Blade to kill Rafel and Carol, but he warns them to flee instead. Blade wanders, to escape the king's justice, but finds himself in his own adventure. Category : Fiction, fantasy, possibly YA Why I chose this book : Kindle First My personal opinion : I really enjoyed the story line, the world the author created, and the depth of the characters. It was easy to lose myself in the story. I also really appreciate that the story is "clean" - no bad language, no sexual situations, etc. I feel comfortable recommending this to my teenage children. Warnings Language: none Violence: fairly frequent fighting "Adult...

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Brief synopsis (no spoilers) Story follows the Lapp family, an Amish family in new England, their challenges, growth, and relationships developed with the new housekeeper and beekeeper who have become part of their household, especially the relationship of Julia with Rome (the beekeeper), a traveling unattached "drifter" that resides in stony ridge part of each spring/summer. Category Christian fiction Why I chose this book It showed up on the suggestions page of my library digital borrow/lend site, and it looked like a love story. Other cultures (like Amish) interest me. I knew it would be a safe read love story. My personal opinion (the review) I really enjoyed the love story. It was also interesting to read about an Amish family. It had a lot of spiritual references in the thoughts of the characters and I liked that.  Warnings (language, violence, "adult" situations, death, etc.) No "bad" stuff, but yes death. (I was grateful for the ...