(November 6, 2023) Award-winning children’s author Chris Grabenstein’s novel Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has charmed kids, parents, teachers, and librarians alike for a decade with its colorful characters, pithy puns, and unforgettable, imagination-filled library. Now, just in time for the novel’s ten year anniversary, Grabenstein — the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello, Smartest Kid in the Universe, Dog Squad, and Welcome to Wonderland series — and Douglas Holgate — the #1 bestselling illustrator of The Last Kids on Earth graphic novels — are teaming up for Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: The Graphic Novel, a full-color, action-packed adaptation of Grabenstein’s celebrated novel.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has been widely acclaimed. Booklist even compared Mr. Lemoncello to Willy Wonka. The novel spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was nominated for 44 state awards. All told, the six books in the Lemoncello series have sold over two million copies. When he isn’t touring schools and inspiring the next generation of readers and writers, Grabenstein is currently hard at work on a seventh and final book for the series.
“Kids always tell me I write ‘movies for the mind,'” says Grabenstein. “So it was fun to translate this story into a graphic novel. It reminded me of the storyboards we used to create when I worked in advertising. I was very fortunate to have Douglas Holgate along for the ride. His artwork brings wonderfully vivid life to all the figments of my imagination.”
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library invites readers to find out if game-loving Kyle Keeley can escape from what James Patterson calls “the coolest library in all the world.” In the story, Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker, one Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night. Kyle’s determined to be there, but the tricky part isn’t getting into the library—it’s getting out. Because when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route.
“Featuring fast pacing, lots of action, puzzles and codes the reader can solve, strong boy and girl characters, and a touch of mystery, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is packed to the rafters with kid appeal,” said Shana Corey, Editorial Director, Random House Graphic. “It’s also perfect for librarians and teachers looking for graphic novels with positive messages and great themes for discussion.”
Working alongside colorist Marta Todeschini and designer and letterer Juliet Goodman, Grabenstein and Holgate are ready to charm a new generation. Random House Books for Young Readers will publish Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: The Graphic Novel on November 7, 2023.
About Chris Grabenstein
Chris Grabenstein is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello, Smartest Kid in the Universe, Dog Squad, and Welcome to Wonderland series, as well as the coauthor of three-dozen page-turners with James Patterson and of Shine!, co-written with Chris’s wife, J.J. Grabenstein. He’s written Audible Originals, short stories, and stage plays. After graduating from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Chris moved to New York City and started doing improvisational comedy in Greenwich Village. During those years, he also wrote for the Muppets and helped create the CBS holiday classic The Christmas Gift starring John Denver. He then spent seventeen years writing radio and television commercials for brands such as KFC, Dr Pepper, Seven Up, and many others. His first boss in advertising was James Patterson. Chris, the current president of the Mystery Writers of America, and his wife J.J. still live in New York City with two cats and lots of ideas.
About Douglas Holgate
Douglas Holgate is the illustrator of the bestselling Last Kids on Earth and has illustrated books and comics for HarperCollins, Hachette, Image, Dynamite, Abrams, and more.
About Random House Books for Young Readers
Random House Books for Young Readers is an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Visit them online at x.com/RandomHouseKids, facebook.com/RandomHouseKids, and rhcbooks.com.
