Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race

Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein, 279 pages

In this newest adventure about Mr. Lemoncello, he has devised a new fact finding game for his trustees.  While the kids run around the country looking for the fun facts, trying to win the game, someone is planting evidence to try and discredit Mr. Lemoncello and steal his newest game idea.  Unless Kyle and his friends can prove Mr. Lemoncello’s innocence he may lose his library, and worse, his reputation.  I don’t know how Grabenstein can make each Lemoncello book better than the last, but he does.  I loved the latest book and hope that more are on the way.  Kids who like humor and adventure, not to mention mysteries and puzzles, will love this book and the others in the series.

Rebellion Of Thieves

Rebellion Of Thieves by Kekla Magoon, 246 pages

“Robyn Loxley plans to seize the opportunity to rescue her parents from the governor's mansion by competing in the Iron Teen contest, although success could bring unwanted attention from Crown.” This series is my favorite by Magoon.  I’ve liked her other books but these have a sense of adventure that is missing some of the hopelessness that I feel when reading her historical fiction.  This follows the Robin Hood stories well and it’s really enjoyable.  Kids who like adventure or just Robin Hood will want to read it.

A Gathering Of Shadows

A Gathering Of Shadows by V. E. Schwab, 512 pages

“Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift, and into Black London. In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games-an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries-a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again-and so to keep magic's balance, another London must fall.” The sequel may have been better than the first book.  I loved it and as long as people are ok with the darkness, this fantasy novel should please a lot of people.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein, 278 pages

This book is a sequel to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, which was a great book.  I wouldn't have thought it possible, but the sequel is at least as good as the first book.  In this story, many kids throughout the country are angry that they didn't have a chance to play in the first set of library games so Mr. Lemoncello has begun a new competition and teams of middle schoolers will have the chance to compete in the Library Olympics.  The winners will get a free ride to the college of their choice.  Kyle and his friends are excited to have a chance to compete again but Kyle is nervous about what will happen if they lose.  This book is full of fun puzzles and plenty of action.  I would highly recommend it to almost any kid who enjoys reading at all.