“Chris Grabenstein’s origin story of his bestselling series’ wacky gamesmeister is long on laughs, heart, puzzles, codes, and unexpected plot developments.”
—Common Sense Media

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Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game

Now available!

“It was the summer that changed Luigi L. Lemoncello’s life.”

Discover the origins of what James Patterson calls “the coolest library in the world” in this PREQUEL to the New York Times bestselling Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Go back to the START and meet thirteen-year-old, PUZZLE-obsessed Luigi Lemoncello!

 Learn more!
 Plus cool extras!

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“Book and game lovers alike will delve into this delicious tale and put on their thinking caps.”
—School Library Journal, on Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
“Chris Grabenstein just might be the smartest writer for kids in the universe.”
—James Patterson, on The Smartest Kid in the Universe
“Maybe the best Lemoncello yet, with a gripping plot, wild inventions, sneaky villains, and clever tweens who put aside their differences and pool their talents to save their hero and his library.”
—Common Sense Media, on Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race
“The writing is warm and humorous. This gentle book offers a wonderful reminder that kindness, generosity, and love far outweigh the importance of money, awards, and prestige.”
—Booklist, on Shine!
“Engaging anthology of snappily paced capers entailing codes, ciphers, and math and science puzzles.”
—Publishers Weekly, on Super Puzzletastic Mysteries

“A fun-filled, suspenseful intellectual puzzle, designed by a gamer, that will appeal to fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society.”
—Shelf Awareness, on Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

“Plenty of believable dialogue and humor . . . gratifyingly quirky. A crowd-pleasing reminder that kindness pays.”
—Kirkus Reviews, on Shine!

Chris Grabenstein is the multiple award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author of fast-paced, fun and funny page-turners for kids. In his head, he’s still twelve years old. Maybe ten.

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Author Chris Grabenstein's Official Website