{"product_id":"mr-lemoncellos-very-first-game-isbn-9780593480854","title":"Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game","description":"\u003cb\u003eTHE PREQUEL TO THE \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES \u003c\/i\u003eBESTSELLING SERIES WITH MORE THAN TWO MILLION COPIES SOLD!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiscover the origins of what James Patterson calls “the coolest library in the world.” Follow along and solve the clues in this interactive adventure to reveal how Mr. Lemoncello became everyone’s favorite game maker! From the co-author of \u003ci\u003eMurdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose\u003c\/i\u003e…\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“An ‘awesometastic’ lead-in.”—\u003ci\u003eBooklist,\u003c\/i\u003e starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGo back to the start and meet thirteen-year-old, puzzle-obsessed Luigi Lemoncello!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi has a knack for games and puzzles. But sometimes it feels like the cards are stacked against him. Until a carnival arrives in town and Luigi gets the chance of a lifetime—the opportunity to work for the world-famous Professor Marvelmous, a dazzling, banana-hat-wearing barker who puts the \u003ci\u003eshow\u003c\/i\u003e in showman! When the carnival closes, Professor Marvelmous leaves behind a mysterious puzzle box along with a clue. A clue that will lead Luigi and his friends on a fantastical treasure hunt to a prize beyond anything they could imagine—if they can find it!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCan Luigi crack the codes and unlock the box’s secrets? Will there be puzzles? Of course! Balloons? You bet! Will it be fun? Hello! It’s a Lemon-cello! BONUS! Can \u003ci\u003eyou\u003c\/i\u003e solve the hidden puzzle inside?!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Lemoncello books are laugh-out-loud, puzzle-packed must-reads for classrooms and homes across America. Look for the whole series!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game \u003c\/i\u003e(the prequel)\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eEscape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library \u003c\/i\u003e(also available as a graphic novel) \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics \u003c\/i\u003e(also available as a graphic novel)\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMr. Lemoncello’s All-Star Breakout Game\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMr. Lemoncello’s Fantabulous Finale\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Lemoncello Series:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNominated for 44 State Awards!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eLots of action and quirky humor.\u003c\/b\u003e\" \u003ci\u003e—The Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ \"\u003cb\u003eA worthy successor to the original madman puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka\u003c\/b\u003e.\" \u003ci\u003e—Booklist, starred review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ \"\u003cb\u003eA winner for readers and game-players alike\u003c\/b\u003e.\" \u003ci\u003e—Kirkus Reviews,\u003c\/i\u003e starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ \"\u003cb\u003eA fun-filled, suspenseful intellectual puzzle\u003c\/b\u003e.\" \u003ci\u003e—Shelf Awareness,\u003c\/i\u003e starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eWill have readers racing to pick up the next volume\u003c\/b\u003e.\" \u003ci\u003e—School Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eChris Grabenstein\u003c\/b\u003e is the bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello, Smartest Kid in the Universe, Dog Squad, and Welcome to Wonderland series, as well as the coauthor of numerous page-turners with James Patterson and of \u003ci\u003eShine!\u003c\/i\u003e, cowritten with Chris’s wife, J.J. Grabenstein.1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was the summer that changed Luigi L. Lemoncello’s life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhich, of course, led to millions of other lives being changed. The events of that long-­ago summer gave rise to families made closer by games played late into the night or on rainy vacation days. It also ushered in a magical factory, a spectacularly futuristic library, dazzling contests, an unquenchable quest for knowledge, stupendous surprises, and fantastic fun unlike any the world had ever seen or experienced.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut we’re getting ahead of ourselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1968, Luigi had just turned thirteen. He was the sixth of the ten Lemoncello children. His older brothers and sisters were all super-­serious, super-­talented, straight-­A students. Luigi, on the other hand, loved making up stories. He loved solving puzzles. And he really, really loved playing games.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEveryone said he was, well, different. Maybe even peculiar. Definitely odd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn weekends, Luigi’s father ran the projector at the Willoughby Bijou Theater on Main Street in Alexandriaville, Ohio. Whenever there was a Saturday matinee for kids, Mr. Lemoncello would sneak his children up to the projection booth with him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was the only way the whole family could afford to see movies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor free.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Lemoncello kids would take turns peering through the small window next to the clacking movie projector. They’d each watch for a few minutes and then tell their brothers and sisters what had happened.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The millionaire was boxing with the bad guy,” Luigi said after his turn at the window.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd then he added his own spin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“That’s when a kangaroo hopped into the ring!” he told his brothers and sisters.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A kangaroo?” exclaimed the youngest Lemoncello, Sofia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Oh yes. And the kangaroo can really sing!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi’s sixteen-­year-­old brother, Fabio, motioned for Luigi to step aside. “It’s my turn. You’re being goofy.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“No,” said Sofia. “Let Luigi go again. He tells the best movies.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut Fabio wasn’t about to give up his turn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Okay, now the guy who loves cars is singing a song about Detroit. . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi pressed his ear to the wall.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“DEE-­TROIT! DEE-­TROIT! DEEEEEEE-­WOOOOO-­WAAAA-­TA-­TA-­TA-­TA . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe movie soundtrack warbled to a stop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Lemoncello kids, their eyes wide, swiveled to face their father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The projector’s jammed,” said Luigi’s father with a frustrated sigh. “I told Mr. Willoughby we should replace this clunker. Stand back, everybody. I need to make a splice.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMr. Lemoncello was very handy and could fix almost anything. He flicked up some light switches, shut down the clattering mechanical monster, and pulled both ends of the filmstrip out of its feed sprockets.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile his father wrestled with the two enormous film reels, Luigi heard the audience downstairs. They were chanting and stomping their feet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“We want the movie!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“We want the movie!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKids hurled boxes of popcorn. Sugar Babies and Sno-­Caps bounced around the auditorium like spitballs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Go down and tell them about the singing kangaroo,” Sofia urged Luigi.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Huh?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi was used to telling his family stories. And his friends. Sometimes the kids at school.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut an auditorium filled with strangers?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Go,” said Sofia. “Hurry!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“No!” hissed Luigi’s oldest sister (and harshest critic), Mary. “Don’t you dare embarrass us.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe crowd below was chanting louder. Their foot stomps became a thundering herd of cattle. Mr. Lemoncello was nimble and quick with his hands, but he needed more time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“We want the movie!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“We want the movie!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi looked over to Sofia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe smiled. “You can do it!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi raced down the steep staircase from the projection booth, tore across the lobby, and slammed through the swinging double doors into the auditorium.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe theater was dim, but Luigi saw a soft circle of light pooling on the empty screen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe ran down the center aisle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTook a deep breath.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd stepped into the faint spotlight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis was soooo different from telling his little sister a funny story. He could barely see kids in the seats, just their hazy silhouettes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Um, good afternoon, boys and girls,” he began.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe kid shapes squirmed. They seemed annoyed or bored or both.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi looked up to the projection booth. Sofia was in the window, smiling down at him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe had to do . . . something.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Uh, I bet you’re all wondering what happens next!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Yeah!” yelled a voice from the darkness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Well, um, as they drive to Detroit, a big wind kicks up, and all of a sudden their car can fly—­just like in The Absent-­Minded Professor! They sail through the clouds and—­”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHUNK! SPLAT!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA half-­empty Pepsi cup smacked Luigi in the face. Sticky brown syrup dribbled down his nose.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Sit down, weirdo,” shouted a blond boy in the middle of the auditorium. He looked to be about fifteen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe girl next to him squirmed in her seat. “Leave the kid alone, Chad.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLuigi figured he had two choices. He could run away, or he could stay and try to change the story he was suddenly starring in. Maybe even make it funny.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Now, then,” he said, comically wiping his face the way he’d seen the Three Stooges do after being clobbered by banana cream pies. “Where was I?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Blocking the screen!” shouted the guy named Chad. “Who do you think you are, anyhow?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGood question, thought Luigi. Who was he?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Uh, nobody, really.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Well, do you know who I am?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The Mad Pepsi Bomber?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe crowd laughed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“No, weirdo. I’m Chad Chiltington. And my best friend is Jimmy Willoughby. His old man owns this movie theater. How’d you sneak in here? You don’t look like you could afford to buy a ticket. I’m going to report you to Mr. Willoughby!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUh-­oh! thought Luigi. If Chad Chiltington did that, Luigi’s father could lose his projectionist job.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’m sorry. I was just trying to—­”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuddenly, light flickered on the screen, warbly music slid up to speed, and the movie started. His dad had saved the day. The kids in the auditorium cheered. Chad Chiltington draped his arm over his girlfriend’s shoulders. He also snagged her Pepsi cup, since he didn’t have one anymore.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe had forgotten all about Luigi Lemoncello.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell, Luigi sure hoped he had.","brand":"Yearling","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300402385125,"sku":"NP9780593480854","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593480854.jpg?v=1767733043","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/mr-lemoncellos-very-first-game-isbn-9780593480854","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}