Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

In Alexandriaville, Ohio, Kyle’s town, a new library is just a few days away from its grand opening. “World-famous librarian” (7), Dr. Yanina Zinchenko, a tall, commanding, red-haired woman wearing heels and a suit, walks through the impressive library checking on completed rooms. Crews renovated the former Gold Leaf Bank, over the last five years; no crew worked for longer than 6 weeks, and crews never communicated with each other. Even those who completed the renovations do not completely know what the final product looks like. Dr. Zinchenko checks on some of the library’s interesting features: a domed rotunda comprised of eight high-definition video screens, holographic statues of accomplished writers, and animatronic animals that move and sing. Dr. Zinchenko wears an earpiece headset to communicate with behind-the-scenes employees; she directs the video artist to program a rotunda panel and instructs the director of holographic imagery to remove the busts of Shakespeare and Dickens. In the Children’s Department, Dr. Zinchenko directs Mrs. G. to eliminate the hologram of a white Bengal tiger and reestablish it in the Zoology section.

Kyle boards the bus for school, eager to play games on his friends’ handheld devices, since his punishment at home includes no games. He notices Sierra Russell, a fellow seventh grader, quietly reading. She reads often and does not socialize much since her parents’ divorce. Akimi Hughes, Kyle’s best friend, is playing Squirrel Squad on her PSP 3000. Kyle offers to help and gives Akimi pointers. Akimi asks Kyle if he wrote the extra-credit essay for a special local contest: “The winner will spend the night in the new library before anybody else even gets to see the place!” (17). Akimi gets Kyle’s attention when she mentions the overnight visit will include games.

Kyle writes a last-minute two-sentence essay, thinking that “being locked in a library on Friday night would be better than being stuck at home without any gaming gear at all” (18-19). A point-of-view change to a new scene shows student Charles Chiltington completing his essay with a tutor’s help. The tutor comments on the number of books in Charles’s house. Charles tells him a “fundamental family philosophy is ‘Knowledge is power’” (20).

At school, Kyle hopes that the winning essays will be pulled by chance instead of assessed for quality, but that is not the case. Mrs. Cameron, the homeroom teacher, reads Kyle’s essay aloud: “Balloons. There might be balloons.” Kyle realizes his essay does not compare to that of his enthusiastic and hardworking friends. Then, a car shaped like the red boot in a Lemoncello game pulls up outside. Mrs. Cameron explains that Mr. Lemoncello himself will judge the essays.

Kyle regrets not writing a decent essay, especially when Miguel and another student, Andrew Peckleman, fill everyone in at lunch on the new library. Andrew learns from the school librarian, Mrs. Yunghans, that Mr. Luigi Lemoncello is the billionaire who donated the money for the renovated library. Mr. Lemoncello grew up in Alexandriaville and enjoyed the old public library on Market Street; it was a quiet place to be away from his nine siblings. He created the bestselling game Family Frenzy there. The librarian, Mrs. Tobin, and her husband helped young Luigi start a company that would eventually make him a “bazillionaire.” Haley and the “cool” girls question why Kyle and his friends are excited and refers to them as “nerds.” Kyle determines to draft an improved essay in study hall and leaves the cafeteria.

Kyle writes a very strong and organized essay with a “killer thesis sentence” and multiple strong points, but Mrs. Cameron does not accept it late. Kyle is disappointed but not ready to give up. He goes home, finds an email address for Mr. Lemoncello on the company’s website, and attaches his essay file. His mom mentions that she heard a party will take place across the street from the new library on Friday night, so Kyle adds to his email message, “I hope at the party on Friday you have balloons” (31). He sends the message. His mom compliments his motivation and focus. Seconds later, though, a no-reply response comes back with a “Bong” sound that says the message did not go through and to not bother resending.

The next morning at a school assembly, Kyle kindly says encouraging things to his friends, hoping their essays are chosen. Dr. Zinchenko arrives, and Miguel excitedly recognizes her as “the most famous librarian in the whole wide world!” (33). She explains the contest’s rationale: 12-year-olds lived their entire lives in Alexandriaville without a public library, as the last one was torn down for a parking garage before they were born. So 12 seventh graders will win the chance to spend the night at the new library, lock-in style. They will need parents’ permission, overnight supplies, and, Dr. Zinchenko suggests, “two pairs of underwear” (34). Kyle finds this strange. She promises snacks, fun, and a $500 gift card for Lemoncello games. Kyle regrets even more that he did not bother to write the essay on time. Mr. Lemoncello steps out on stage to announce the winners.

Mr. Lemoncello begins speaking in timid, heavily accented broken English that makes his Italian ancestry clear. Then, however, he switches to a “crisp, clear voice” (37), crediting the public library and Mrs. Gail Tobin with his improved speech. He promises robots, flight simulators, educational video games, and the giant screens of the Wonder Dome waiting inside the new library. Then he announces the contest winners: Miguel Fernandez, Akimi Hughes, Andrew Peckleman, Bridgette Wadge, Sierra Russell, Yasmeen Smith-Snyder, Sean Keegan, Haley Daley, Rose Vermette, and Kayla Korson are called first and take their places excitedly on stage. Mr. Lemoncello calls Charles Chiltington, who rushes up and shakes Mr. Lemoncello’s hand. The last name Mr. Lemoncello calls is Kyle’s. Kyle is in disbelief. Once on stage, Mr. Lemoncello hands him a new library card. It has his name, the number 12, and pictures of two book covers: I Love You, Stinky Face, and The Napping House. Kyle tells Mr. Lemoncello that he is a big fan, and Mr. Lemoncello asks his name. When Kyle tells him, Mr. Lemoncello says, “Ah, yes. The boy who proved what I’ve always known to be true: The game is never over till it’s over. BONG!” (40)