Graphic Novels and Series Books - Knights of the lunch table by Frank Cammuso

Knights of the lunch table by Frank Cammuso

Summary: Knights of the lunch table revolves around Arthur King of Cornwall and his friends, Percival (Percy), and Wayne Kozlowski, and Gwen Lee who attend Camelot Middle School.  Author is new to Camelot and claims to be a dodgeball legend.  When he gets bullied by The Horde, the hoodlums that rule the school, he gets sent to the Principal Dagger’s office. She rules the school by discipline, control, and fear (Cammuso, 2008, p.19).  As a form of punishment, she assigns Author the legendary locker 001XCL that no one has been able to open.  On it is written the words, “If you heart be true and fine, turn the dial left to 9.  27 to the right, gives the owner strength and might. Left again to number 3.  A king to all the students be.” (Cammuso, 2008, p.22).  According, to Percival whoever opens the locker rules the school. Joe Roman, The Horde leader tries with all his might to open it, but fails. Arthur manages to open it making Joe Roman look like a fool.  Joe’s ready to destroy Author when Percy negotiates a dodgeball game.  If they win against The Horde they will be left alone, but if The Horde wins, Arthur must show Joe how to open the locker and let the Horde rule the school.   The geeks versus The Horde dodgeball game will determine who will rule the school. 

My Perspective: King Author and his knights of the round table bring forth some of these ancient characters in this parallel version of Camelot.  Mr. Merlyn the science teacher and Arthur King’s home room advisor represents, Merlin the wizard and advisor to King Arthur. Mr. Merlyn’s pet bird is Oberon (King of the Fairies). Mr. Merlyn, the science teacher who knows a lot and was told about the arrival of a king (Cammuso, 2008, p. 40).   He had met Arthur earlier on the way to school and told him that he’d be tested.  Arthur was in the form of a science pop quiz on the first day.  Principal Dagger wants to get rid of him and send him far away from Camelot because she is the ruler.  Gwen is the one who names the geek team, Knights.  She is brave and intelligent.  She helps the boys win the dodgeball game. She represents Queen Guinevere - wife of King Arthur.  Percival is an achiever of the Holy Grail.  His pet tarantula is named Hannibal (perhaps a reference to Hannibal Lecture a cannibalistic serial killer).  The three lunch ladies spin their riddles about the king to Author when he stumbles into the cafeteria chasing the lost tarantula. They mention that his locker is of the king, which happens to be his last name.  They forewarn him that a battle looms. A battle does manifest in the form of a dodgeball game between the knights and the Horde. The Horde is led by Joe Roman, and perhaps references a Roman officer known for their cruelty. Ferryman would be just that a ferry man who takes people across on a ferryboat. As the School Library Journal states it, “...Arthurian legend gets an update for young readers in this outstanding graphic novel...." It’s a good way to introduce readers to the parallel world of King Arthur through Arthur “Artie” King.  Book Reviewer, Carrie Kingsley (2008) states that the “The Knights of the Lunch Table series offers a funny, empathetic look at the bullying behavior so many children experience at school. …But here, Artie stands up and is true to himself, with the help of a couple of close friends and a teacher who looks out for him.” This is a fun, easy to read graphic novel, good for readers 4th-8th grade.

Library Application: This book can be used to discuss issues of bullying. 

  1. ·       Students can talk about how bullying affects everyone in the Knights of the Lunch Table series. It isn't just Artie or other direct victims; the entire school lives in fear of Joe and The Horde. What would that be that like?
  2. ·       Mr. Merlyn is Artie's first ally, and it changes how Artie feels at school. Have you ever had an important ally, or been someone's ally?
  3. ·       What other graphic novels are about kids at school? Do any others go on quests like Artie?

 

 

References:

Cammuso, F. (2008). Knights of the round table: The dodgeball chronicles. New York:  Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.  


Kingsley, C. Common Sense Media Book Review (2008). [Review of Knights of the Lunch Table series]. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/knights-of-the-lunch-table-series#

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