Reviews

Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein

pstegman's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

culturespy's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Thoughtful balance between characters designing or executing games and the effects that the games have on the community and those who frustrate or ridicule their efforts. My first Lemoncello book, but won't be my last.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying

shelbymarie516's review

5.0

This was wonderful! SO happy to see all of the familiar family names in this prequel adventure. Such a fun series!

kasiak44's review

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mbarkley's review

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

storiesandsours's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

brittster622's review against another edition

5.0

Mr. Lemoncello, Luigi that is, is just a young kid who loves puzzles, tries to stand out in his family and, have fun with his friends over the summer. He gets to work with Professor Marvelmous at a puzzle booth in the summer carnival. And, of course, he designs his very first game.... or two.

I'm honestly not sure how to describe the feeling this book gives me. It soothes my soul. I have loved this series from the very beginning and getting to see Mr. Lemoncello as Luigi was a splendiforous treat. Seeing his interactions with Marvelmous as a mentor were amazing and getting to see some clear parallels of Marvelmous and who Luigi will become as an adult is really cool. As always, it was also nice to see some familiar.. family lines I guess in this case, following their archetypes. I loved it. I'm sad its over, but I can't wait to introduce it to my library kids.

Perfect for reluctant readers (especially boys), fans of puzzles, carnivals, fun and silly things, and summer fun, and balloons (of course).

mbergo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

laila4343's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars. Fun prequel to the Lemoncello books.

jaxsonreads2024's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

4.75