By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Maria Simon first reaction when she found her name in “Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics” was to call out to her husband. The next was to order a cake.
Cake after all is the celebratory food of choice at Mr. Lemoncello’s amazing library.
“I just about jumped off my chair,” said Simon, children’s librarian at the Wood County Public Library.
The author, Chris Grabenstein, didn’t only name the reference librarian at the fictional Alexandriaville Public Library after Simon, he buried another reference to Bowling Green in the book. The GPS coordinates for Blue Jay Extended Stay Motel where the book’s young heroes find a vital clue are those of the Wood County District Public Library. That makes it a stop for those who do geocaching. A few people have already visited the library because of that.
Simon said she didn’t realize that connection until after she contacted the author to thank him for using her name. “He enjoys making his books interactive.”
Grabenstein has been known to drop references to places he’s been and people he’s met, as well as other books. One of the challenges the heroes of the book face is a contest to see who can eat pizza and read at the same time, and then pass a comprehension test. The winning team read Isaac Bashevis Singer’s “Shlemiel Went to Warsaw and Other Stories.” Another character’s favorite book is “Bud, Not Buddy” by Michigan writer Christopher Paul Curtis.
The villains in the Mr. Lemoncello books are those who have precious, overly protective attitude toward libraries and books; the heroes are those who want to share their love of reading widely.
Grabenstein is no stranger to Bowling Green. Last year on his way to Michigan on a family visit, he visited to promote his book “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.”
He gave a presentation at the middle school, where his skills as a standup comedian were on full display, Simon said.
He loved the town, Simon said, asking if it was used in any movies.
“When I saw the town, it looked just like I imagined my fictional Ohio town of Alexandriaville might look,” the author wrote in a recent email. “So I now use photos of BG for reference when I am writing Mr. Lemoncello stories.”
“Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics” is a sequel to “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.”
Simon, he added, has been a fan dating back to his days writing mysteries for adults. Grabenstein has had a varied career, including writing books with James Patterson.
“I had a great visit to the Bowling Green library,” Grabenstein wrote. “I loved the place and all the fun things they had going on for kids – including a duct tape portrait of the ‘Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library’ cover.”
Grabenstein’s affection for BG is reciprocated.
After his visit his popularity has soared, Simon said. One mother is even planning a Mr. Lemoncello-themed birthday party for her daughter.
“There’s a lot of his fans out there.”
