The Dodgeball Chronicles (Knights of the Lunch Table Series #1)

by Frank Cammuso, Frank Cammuso (Illustrator)

Overview

In this funny new series from Eisner Award nominee Frank Cammuso, the Arthurian legend is reborn—in a funny, average-joe, middle-school boy and his pals.

Artie King just wants to ease into life at Camelot Middle School. He's got new lunch buddies, Percy and Wayne, and his science teacher, Mr. Merlyn, is pretty cool. But then there's scary Principal Dagger and big bad Joe and The Horde, a bunch of brawny bullies who rule the school.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780439903226
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	07/01/2008
Series:	Knights of the Lunch Table Series , #1
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	GN250L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Frank Cammuso is the Eisner-nominated creator of the Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective graphic novels. His work has appeared in the NEW YORK TIMES, The WASHINGTON POST, USA TODAY and NEWSWEEK. He lives in Syracuse, New York.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4-8 -Arthurian legend gets an update for young readers in this outstanding graphic novel. During his first day at Camelot Middle School, Artie King opens a locker that no one has ever been able to open; gets a pop quiz from his science teacher, Mr. Merlyn; and offends both Principal Dagger and bully Joe Roman. Joe is the leader of the Horde, a gang that happens to be the local dodgeball (a game played here with the fervor of Texas football) champions. With his future at Camelot riding on a challenge match, Arthur calls on new friends Wayne and Percy, and gets a little assistance from that mysterious locker. References to other versions of Arthurian legend are sprinkled throughout (such as mentions of Camelot alumni Terry White and Tommy Mallory), but the funny, fast-paced tale of young Arthur's quest to defeat the bullies stands well on its own. The appealing illustrations are full of color, action, and life. Point new fans to one of the many retellings of the deeds of the Round Table while they wait for the second volume in the series.-Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood

School Library Journal

Arthur King's new to Camelot Middle School. He's hoping he won't be a total outsider, despite his lack of skill in all sports. He does make friends with fellow students Percy and Wayne, and he befriends a slightly mysterious teacher, Mr. Merlyn. However, Arthur ends up on the bad side (like much of the student body) of evil principal Mrs. Dagger and the dodgeball team-cum-gang of bullies called "the Horde." After running afoul of Mrs. Dagger one too many times, Arthur and his friends must beat the Horde at dodgeball or they'll be expelled and Mr. Merlyn will have to quit. Guess what happens. A political cartoonist and the creator of Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective, Cammuso has created a big, bright, funny, page-turning first volume of stories very loosely based on the King Arthur stories and laced with other literary references. Young readers will identify with the characters and ask for more. This will appeal to the same crowd that loves the Amelia Rules! series by Jimmy Gownley. (Final art not seen.) (Graphic fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews