Initially, Kyle wasn't interested in books, but when he realized the new library would offer games and computers, he quickly made a very brief attempt.

Regretful that he missed out on a great opportunity, Kyle tries to hand in a much stronger essay late, but his teacher refuses to accept it.

When Mr. Lemoncello arrives at Kyle's school to announce the essay contest winners, Dr. Yanina Zinchenko, world-famous librarian, explains that they will experience the grand new library in an overnight visit.

Then Mr. Lemoncello walks onto the stage and announces the winners: Kyle, Akimi, helpful Miguel Fernandez, nerd Andrew Peckleman, Bridgette Wadge, bookworm Sierra Russell, Yasmeen Smith-Snyder, Sean Keegan, popular girl Haley Daley, Rose Vermette, over-eager Kayla Corson and bully Charles Chiltington.

Sean, Kayla, and Rose choose not to stay, and Bridgette and Yasmeen are eliminated early, so Kyle, Akimi and Sierra form a team.

Meanwhile, Charles focuses on the fake book covers in the "Staff Picks" display case in the library entryway and soon begins to find rebus clues in the hard copies of those titles.

So, he convinces Andrew to steal Sierra's library card to gain access to the private meeting room where Team Kyle's collected clues and hints are displayed.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library was a New York Times bestseller for Children's Middle Grade and received positive reviews.

"[5] Reviewers (including author James Patterson, a frequent collaborator of Grabenstein's) also compared the book favorably to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Haley Daley - a sometimes snobby spokesmodel, but is soft deep down in her heart and is competing in the competition to aid her financially struggling family.

(Deceased; in holographic form) Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library was optioned by Nickelodeon as a movie, and filming was done in Vancouver BC, Canada.

[11][12] The film was directed by Scott McAboy Produced by Amy Sydorick and stars Casey Simpson as Kyle Keeley, Breanna Yde as Akimi, Klarke Pipkin as Sierra, A.J.