Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 059348083X
Pages: 304
Goodreads

Travel back in time to witness the origins of Luigi Lemoncello’s obsession with games and puzzles in this prequel to the popular “Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” series. Grabenstein does not disappoint his puzzle-loving, clue-hunting readers. Luigi is 13 and has been swept up in the excitement of the carnival and the mesmerizing game-play of Professor Marvelmous. Seeing the potential in Luigi, Professor takes him under his wing and shows him the way to capitalize on the spectacle of showmanship. Not only does Luigi hone his craft, but he earns some much-needed income as his father has been fired from his jobs in retaliation for Luigi’s boldness in challenging James Willoughby and Chad Chiltington, the sons of the two men who control the town.

Little nods to the first book will delight readers who might have wondered why Mr. Lemoncello had such an affinity for balloons or why he was probably happy (and not too surprised) to kick Charles Chiltington out of the library in Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

If the series is popular at your library or school, this is a first purchase.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth