Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heart, laughs, puzzles, libraries in page-turning prequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
MR. LEMONCELLO'S VERY FIRST GAME takes us back to the late '60s in small-town Ohio. Tommy James and the Shondells are on the radio. Concentration is a hugely popular TV game show -- and 13-year-old Luigi Lemoncello, the game-loving despair of his studious siblings, is very good at it. Which comes in handy as a summer carnival comes to town, featuring a balloon-popping version of the game. Luigi's skill draws the attention of the game's owner/master of ceremonies, Professor Marvelmous, who soon makes the kid his apprentice, imparting wisdom, showmanship, and a taste for over-the-top hats and footwear. Which is just as well, because currently Luigi's the only one in their large family with a job.
Here, young Luigi's brother complains to their father that Luigi's doings (which have gotten Mr. Lemoncello fired from his jobs) have ruined the family's lives.
"Mr. Lemoncello looked surprised.
"'Our lives aren't "ruined," Tomasso. I just don't work for Mr. Willoughby anymore. And do you know why?'
"'Because Luigi was costing him business and threatening to steal his
radio station's treasure-hunt idea. He was also rude to Mr. Willoughby's son
at the carnival.'
"Mr. Lemoncello laughed. 'I'm talking about the real reason, Tomasso.'
"'Real reason?'
"'I think Mr. Willoughby is afraid.'
"'Of what?'
"'Luigi.'
"Now Tomasso had to laugh. 'Mr. Willoughby, the richest man in town, is afraid of a thirteen-year-old kid?'
"'Oh, yes. Your little brother stole the audience away from the movie theater. He drew the shoppers away from the department store. That's not easy to do, Tomasso. It takes skill. Smarts. And remember -- thirteen-year old kids grow up. When they do, watch out.'"
Is It Any Good?
Chris Grabenstein's origin story of his bestselling series' wacky gamesmeister is long on laughs, heart, puzzles, codes, and unexpected plot developments. Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game spotlights young Luigi -- sixth of 10 children in a large, loving, but definitely poor family -- as he discovers his future calling. Characters we've come to cheer or hiss in their adult forms are much younger here, and recognizing some of them is part of the fun. As in the original series, libraries and librarians play an important role, one that resonates with Luigi's profound respect for fair play. Here, the librarian who's been helping him and his friends wards off a snooty lady:
"'Whose children are these?' she inquired.
"'Their parents',' replied Mrs. Tobin cheerfully.
"That made Luigi smile.
"Mrs. Chiltington frowned. 'And they're checking out library books?'
"'Of course. They're some of my biggest readers.'
"Now all three boys held their heads a little higher.
"'But, honestly, Gail -- do you really want to let just anybody, no matter how . . . questionable borrow the books our hard-earned tax dollars have
paid for?
"Mrs. Tobin sat up straighter in her chair. 'Of course I do. Knowledge not shared remains unknown. A public library's mission is to democratize
information. To make it available to all who walk through our doors seeking
it.'
"Mrs. Chiltington's whole face puckered up like she'd just sucked a dozen lemons. 'I see.'"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game shows us characters readers of the series have come to know and love (or not!) as their much younger selves. Do you like seeing them in an earlier time and place? Does it make you like or understand them better?
Luigi likes games because they have the same set of rules for everybody -- which seems not to happen in real life so much, in his experience. Do you think playing games gives you skills and knowledge that come in handy in real life? How?
Luigi's older sibs are all hardworking straight-A students, but that's just not him. In your family, how are people alike, and how are they different?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Friendship
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : May 3, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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