Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While I'm not sure this series is for me, I did enjoy the word play and think that it is a great read for young readers just starting to get into longer books. The characters all play well off of each other, which helps the story to flow. The fact that there is a polar bear named Total just adds to the humor.

Author: Stephan Pastis
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 2013

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Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race

Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Before I get started with my actual review, a note. Although Kyle is the main character, let's be real, the two kids that start the race and leave part way through because they find a book sale, are the true heroes. They are me in book form.

In this third installment of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series, the kids are given a chance to compete in another one of Mr. Lemoncello's crazy competitions. Those fighting against our heroes are of course Charles and his mother, but also a couple new characters, rival game makers who have struggled to compete with Mr. Lemoncello's games.

I have to admit, I was really annoyed by Kyle at the beginning of the book. He was so focused on himself and believing he was right without considering those he was working with. I wanted to knock some sense into him and make him act like a team player. While it was annoying, it did give him a chance to grow as a character, and I was glad to see that Chris Grabenstein took that opportunity.

I used to say that I wanted a library like the one in the books, but now that I've read about Mr. Lemoncello's house and plane, I kind of just want to be his friend and have access to everything he invents. If only he was not a fictional character.

I like that once again, readers cannot say for certain who is on what side from the start. As the book progresses, alliances seem to change as you learn more about someone. This gives the book an unpredictable quality that I enjoyed. I will say though, for a town that was determined to not be embarrassed again by making a huge mistake, especially when it came to Mr. Lemoncello, they were really stuck in their ways and so sure they were right. I think that was my one point that was hard to get past. To me, I would think they would actually want to try and look at all the facts before automatically believing someone.

As always, I loved all the literary references, and had to smile every time I found one.

All in all, an good read.

Author: Chris Grabenstein
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 10th 2017

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Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I always enjoy the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series because there are all these little nods to other books, and I like to see how many of them I can spot. Also, I just really wish the library was real and in my town.

In this book, kids all over the country want their chance to prove themselves against the winners from the first book, so a new game is declared, library Olympics. Part of me thinks I would love to be a part of this, and part of me, after having read this book, realizes that I know absolutely nothing that would qualify me to enter. These kids are smart. The ones that are chosen not only know a lot about what happens in different books, I could do that, but they know the Dewey decimal system backwards and forwards, and can solve rebus puzzles in no time. It's those last two that get me.

Charles, who was the sour loser in the first book is back, with an annoying addition. He makes for a good adversary just because of how annoying he is. Really, how can someone hold a grudge for as long as he does? It has to be a record of some kind.

There were a lot of new characters, which I always find hard to keep straight, but Chris Grabenstein did a good job of really focusing on the characters that mattered and just mentioning the others in passing. It helped move the story forward without bogging it down with a lot of unnecessary dialog or action.

As the book was coming to a close, before everything was brought to light, I was kind of getting anxiety. I think that anyone who really loves books will get a little worried with the way things are progressing close to the end, especially lovers of banned books.

All in all, a good book that was another enjoyable read.

Author: Chris Grabenstein
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 5th 2016

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