Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein, 291 pages

Kyle Keeley loves games. Especially Mr. Lemoncello's games that are fun and creative to play. He enters an essay writing contest to win an opportunity to stay the night in a new library built by Mr. Lemoncello. Twelve 12 year olds are selected to participate in lock-in at the library (after winning the essay contest) and Kyle is one of the 12. Once there, it is revealed to the winners that they are actually part of game to see who can get out of the library first without using the emergency exits or exiting the way they entered. Filled with clues, puzzles and riddles, the book allows the reader to participate in the fun. Good lessons like learning to work as a team, playing fair and using good manners are taught as well.  The story is very reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory except the setting is an old bank converted into the town's new library. I liked how many book titles were mentioned in ways to peak the reader's curiosity and hopefully cause them to want to read the books.

The Game by Diana Wynne Jones

The Game by Diana Wynne Jones - 181 pages

Hayley has been exiled to her aunt's house by her grandmother.  She's not quite sure what she did to warrant this exile, however it's the best thing that's ever happened to her.  For the first time she realizes she has family.  They introduce her to The Game.  The Game is a competition among the cousins to complete quests in the mythosphere.  But unknown to Hayley, her playing of The Game will lead to a showdown with her Uncle Jolyon who has been terrorizing the world for thousands of years.

This was a very interesting book.  At first glance it seems to be a family story - of an orphaned girl finding out about her past.  But once they introduce The Game you realize that the book is actually a modern retelling of Roman myths.  This book requires more thought and knowledge than most current mythology-based children's fiction.