Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

“FIND TWO COINS FROM 1982 THAT ADD UP TO THIRTY CENTS AND ONE OF THEM CANNOT BE A NICKEL.” 

This riddle kicks off the last round of Lemoncello’s Indoor-Outdoor Scavenger Hunt that Kyle plays with brothers Mike and Curtis as the story begins. Kyle knows the answer: a quarter and a nickel (because the riddle states only one of the coins cannot be a nickel). Kyle gets to their dad’s coin stash first, finding the coins and winning the game. Solving the riddle quickly demonstrates Kyle’s aptitude for challenges and foreshadows later puzzles at the library.

“What is our white Bengal tiger doing in the Children’s Department?” 

Dr. Zinchenko asks this question via headset as she checks on the library’s special features days ahead of the grand opening. A holographic Bengal tiger appears in the Children’s Department, and Dr. Zinchenko tells Mrs. G. to move it to the Zoology section. This quote demonstrates the technical capacities of the library and establishes a witty mood.

“But I’ve got to roll the dice one more time. Maybe I’ll get lucky.” 

Kyle explains to his friends that he intends to write a much better essay for late entry in the contest. His friend Akimi tells him that Mrs. Cameron won’t accept late essays, but Kyle wants to try anyway, going on the theory that the game is not really over till it is over. Mrs. Cameron refuses his second attempt, but Kyle sends it to Mr.