The Island of Dr. Libris

Description

Billy is sure this summer is going to be so boring. His mom rented a lakeside cabin from mysterious Dr. Libris, and there isn’t even a television! Billy settles for reading a book from Dr. Libris’s library, but when he does, he hears strange noises coming from the island on the lake. He investigates, and finds the characters have come to life! He befriends Hercules and fights the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham with Robin Hood before heading home for dinner. Billy brings his new friend Walter over to see the island, and they begin to suspect more is going on than appears. And who is Dr. Libris anyway?

Billy was a great main character because he was just so normal. He wasn’t stereotypical, at least, not as stereotypical as most tween fiction heroes tend to be. He was more realistic in his aims, drives, curiosity, and personality. It was very refreshing to not have to deal with the average pathetic whiner most main characters are. I enjoyed the premise of the story, even if it wasn’t as masterfully crafted or explained as Chris Grabenstein’s previous book, Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.