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

by Frank Cammuso

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:	Beauchamp Family #03 , #1
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	87,879
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

The title took me back to High School when the dreaded game of dodgeball made me cringe. I had terrible aim, and the opposite team always seemed to throw with such force that the ball left red marks on my legs. I sure am glad that is over. Artie King, however, starts off his first day in Middle School thinking he will just do as he is supposed to and stay out of everyone's way, but by the time second period rolls around, he is in deep trouble. He has tripped the Principal, run into bullies, and agitated an older kid who did not like Artie's lunch that he had stolen. Could things get any worse? Of course they can. The principal is so angry that Artie tripped her that she assigns him a locker that no one can open. The school bully says he can open it, but with all the kids watching him, he fails and is humiliated. Artie has no trouble opening it, which puts him in an awkward position. When the bully is about to tear Artie apart, a challenge to see who really is the better "man" ensues, and a dodgeball game is set up for the bullies against Artie and his nice but small-built friends. The agreement is that if Artie and his friends win, the bullies agree to leave them alone. That is a pretty good incentive. Artie and his friends come up with some ideas, but it is really the locker that saves the day. This is a delightful book for boys. It will hold their interest, provide humor, and will be read over and over again. The illustrations are great and the reader can feel the emotions that run through the pages. This is a must read book! Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs

Children's Literature - Kathie M. Josephs

Artie King suffers from being the new kid at Camelot Middle School, but fate enables him to make fast friends with Percy, Wayne, and Gwen. He even quickly fits in with his zany science teacher, Mr. Merlyn, who seems to have a magical way of knowing what troubles his students. Unfortunately, the evil Principal Dagger dislikes Artie at first sight. Se wastes no time in sending the school bully, Joe, and his horde after Artie and his friends. She then assigns Artie locker #001XCL, a locker that no one has ever been able to open that also comes with its own legend. Artie has the magic touch that opens the legendary locker, which just might help him become king of the school. Cammuso fills Artie's adventures and the characters' dialogues with humorous and recognizable references to the King Arthur legend. Throughout the quirky graphic novel, the reader learns lessons of integrity, kindness, and friendship. While this book's plot follows the same trajectory of good versus evil stories that is found in many children's stories, Cammuso does offer a funny and fresh perspective on this device through his whimsical comic drawings. This wholesome, fun read will appeal to a wide "tween" readership. Book one of the "Dodgeball Chronicles." Reviewer: Ashley Crider

Children's Literature - Ashley Crider

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