“The coolest library in the world” is coming to Iola.
Iola Reads has picked “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library,” by Chris Grabenstein, as its Young Adult selection for 2023.
The book offers an adventure that leaps from the pages to the halls of Iola Elementary School and the Iola Public Library. Both libraries have been converted into mysterious labyrinths of puzzles, puns, prizes and surprises.
Events to celebrate the novel are planned until Nov. 9, when Grabenstein will conduct virtual visits with Iola students. Activities include reading challenges with prizes, a movie based on the novel and a game-themed maze at the Iola library.
“ESCAPE from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” tells the story of a 12-year-old Kyle, a big fan of beloved game maker, Luigi Lemoncello. He enters — and wins — a chance to spend a night in Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, along with 11 other students. The children play games, solve puzzles and compete against each other to win prizes.
The book itself is a puzzle, too. Author Grabenstein has said the book contains a secret puzzle that readers can decode.
The book spent 111 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list for middle grade novels and has been compared to Roald Dahl’s classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Author James Patterson is quoted on the book cover: “Discover the coolest library in the world.”
IOLA’S public library has been transformed into Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, complete with a maze and games.
On Friday, Oct. 27, families and children up to age 12 are invited to see if they can escape from the maze that is Mr. Lemoncello’s library. The maze is open from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The maze will include a few spooky elements, similar to last year’s Haunted Library activity. Children are welcome to come in costume.
Meanwhile, the Iola elementary school’s library also has been converted into Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. Students can join Mr. Lemoncello’s Reading Club. They’ll receive a bookmark with a list of books found in the story. If they read 10 books on the list, they’ll win a prize.
Middle school students who read 20 books on the list — and find the page reference in Grabenstein’s novel — can enter for a chance to win one of five board games. Board game prizes also will be given away at the high school and Allen Community College.
The Iola Public Library will show a movie adaptation of the book at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, in the library’s meeting room. Refreshments and board game prizes will be given away.
AUTHOR Grabenstein will make virtual “author visits” at Iola’s middle school at 9:55 a.m. Nov. 1, and at the elementary school at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.
Deb Greenwall, an Iola Reads organizer, said the local group could not afford to bring Grabenstein for an in-person visit, so he offered to do virtual visits at no charge.
“He and his staff have been impressed with what we are doing to promote his book to our community,” Greenwall said.
