Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game: Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Heart, laughs, puzzles, libraries in page-turning prequel.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game is a prequel/origin story for Chris Grabenstein's bestselling Mr. Lemoncello's Library series, and finds both author and characters in top form. It's the tale of the future toy tycoon as 13-year-old Luigi Lemoncello, the daydreaming misfit in a large, loving, studious, but definitely not rich Italian American family in mid-20th century small-town Ohio. Like the other books, it's big on family, friendship, fair play, and brainteasers -- and while kindness is its own reward, it often comes back in good ways. Characters who are adults in the original series appear here as their much-younger selves, offering a lot of insight into how they got that way -- especially young Luigi's love of games, because they're based on rules that everybody has to follow, and reward fair play and teamwork.Occasional bathroom, butt, and fart humor.
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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: Chris Grabenstein
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- 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, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: June 1, 2022
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