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Knights of the Lunch Table #3
The Battling Bands
The Knights seek fame and fortune by entering a talent show!
A battle is looming at Camelot Middle School--a battle of the bands, that is! Artie, Wayne, and Percy enter the talent show seeking fame and fortune. But only one of them plays an Percy. And he plays the tuba. Their only hope of winning is finding the long-lost "Singing Sword," the fabled instrument of awesome power.
But how can Artie find time to rock when he's been assigned a new lab partner, Melody Claymore? Melody is a klutz and a goof, and she harbors a not-so-secret crush on Artie. Is Melody his worst nightmare or secretly the answer to his prayers?
Book Paperback Publication 8/1/2011 128 Reading Age 8 and Up
A battle is looming at Camelot Middle School--a battle of the bands, that is! Artie, Wayne, and Percy enter the talent show seeking fame and fortune. But only one of them plays an Percy. And he plays the tuba. Their only hope of winning is finding the long-lost "Singing Sword," the fabled instrument of awesome power.
But how can Artie find time to rock when he's been assigned a new lab partner, Melody Claymore? Melody is a klutz and a goof, and she harbors a not-so-secret crush on Artie. Is Melody his worst nightmare or secretly the answer to his prayers?
Book Paperback Publication 8/1/2011 128 Reading Age 8 and Up
128 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
35 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Frank Cammuso
43 books78 followersFrank Cammuso is the author/illustrator of the graphic novel series The Misadventures of Salem Hyde from Amulet Books. He also created the graphic novel series Knights of the Lunch Table from Graphix/Scholastic. Frank drew the comic Otto’s Orange Day and Otto’s Backwards Day for Toon-Books. He also wrote and drew his self-published graphic novel Max Hamm Fairy Tale Detective, for which he received an Eisner nomination.
Frank is the former award-winning political cartoonist for The Post-Standard newspaper in Syracuse, NY. His cartoons have been reprinted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and Newsweek.
He has written fiction and satire with his good friend Hart Seely. Their work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Village Voice, Slate, and on National Public Radio. He’s the co-author of 2007-Eleven and Other American Comedies.
Cammuso currently teaches Sequential Illustration part-time at his alma mater, Syracuse University. He lives with his family in frosty Syracuse, NY, where they enjoy all things comics!
Frank is the former award-winning political cartoonist for The Post-Standard newspaper in Syracuse, NY. His cartoons have been reprinted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and Newsweek.
He has written fiction and satire with his good friend Hart Seely. Their work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Village Voice, Slate, and on National Public Radio. He’s the co-author of 2007-Eleven and Other American Comedies.
Cammuso currently teaches Sequential Illustration part-time at his alma mater, Syracuse University. He lives with his family in frosty Syracuse, NY, where they enjoy all things comics!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
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December 21, 2020Arthur and his friends will be helping at the upcoming Battle of the Bands talent show at Camelot Middle School. Artie, Wayne, and Percy were supposed to help backstage, but soon they take up a challenge from a group of bullies and enter the competition--the problem is, they don't have a band. And only one of them currently plays an instrument. In order to win, they will need to find the long lost "Singing Sword", which legend says will guarantee a victory, and might even save their school from the threat of uniforms.
I wish there series had continued--it is very loosely based on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, but the humor and storylines would appeal to Wimpy Kid and Big Nate fans. I had to search at a lot of libraries to even get a copy of this third book, so I don't think there will be a continuation anytime soon, unfortunately.
I wish there series had continued--it is very loosely based on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, but the humor and storylines would appeal to Wimpy Kid and Big Nate fans. I had to search at a lot of libraries to even get a copy of this third book, so I don't think there will be a continuation anytime soon, unfortunately.
January 25, 2020
A short graphic novel deserves a short review. Don’t get me wrong, I loved this cute little graphic novel but it wasn’t long enough for me to expound on it here. I really don’t have any problems with it and it’s a cute series for younger kids.
It is loosely based on Arthur and his knights of the round table, thus the play on words.
All you need to know about this one is in the description above, I’m sure, so I’m not going to go super far with this.
This one I would recommend for younger kids and, of course, comic-loving older kids. Enjoy!
It is loosely based on Arthur and his knights of the round table, thus the play on words.
All you need to know about this one is in the description above, I’m sure, so I’m not going to go super far with this.
This one I would recommend for younger kids and, of course, comic-loving older kids. Enjoy!
April 30, 2024
Definitely a cute read! Has a great message to it! 😍😁
March 3, 2017
i loved it
August 8, 2011
Jake's Review. Love it when you bring home these awesome books to read. This one is hilarious and I liked the story so much I didn't want to put it down. My favorite character is wing cause he is good at video games like me. I think Brian would like this book too because it is more like a comic book than a chapter book. The illustrations are funny too. I liked the part with the lunch ladies that was hilarious. Can't wait to read more of the Knights books.
Jake's Rating: 10/10
Mom's Review: : Adorable graphic novel -- crap I guess adorable isn't a good word for a book aimed at middle school boys - but it it totally is. Lots of fun little inside jokes and parallels to the Arthur/Camelot story. Humor that both adults and kids will enjoy as well. The art work is spectacular and will keep the attention of even the most reluctant reader (cough cough Brian cough cough). I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have a feeling Jake will too (especially since he grabbed it out of my hand and said these books are awesome - think I will read it instead of playing with my Ipod) that's a first let me tell you. Loved the little sweet scene between Arthur and Melody. A must have for all middle school and public libraries since I guarantee it will be checked out all the time
Mom's Rating: 9/10
We received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review
Jake's Rating: 10/10
Mom's Review: : Adorable graphic novel -- crap I guess adorable isn't a good word for a book aimed at middle school boys - but it it totally is. Lots of fun little inside jokes and parallels to the Arthur/Camelot story. Humor that both adults and kids will enjoy as well. The art work is spectacular and will keep the attention of even the most reluctant reader (cough cough Brian cough cough). I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have a feeling Jake will too (especially since he grabbed it out of my hand and said these books are awesome - think I will read it instead of playing with my Ipod) that's a first let me tell you. Loved the little sweet scene between Arthur and Melody. A must have for all middle school and public libraries since I guarantee it will be checked out all the time
Mom's Rating: 9/10
We received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review
December 17, 2016
So much to love about this well-constructed graphic novel for middle grade readers. References to the King Arthur legend abound. Mr. Merlyn is a wise but cool character, a tough combination to get right. But my personal favorite characters are the cauldron-stirring, soothsaying lunch ladies, straight out of Macbeth.
Cammuso really nails middle school. Artie King is a reluctant hero that many middle schoolers (regardless of gender) will relate to and root for. The vibrant full-color artwork is good and supports the story well.
In this third series installment, Artie learns some invaluable lessons about friendship. The theme of "Don't judge a book by its cover" is also woven into the story. The plot of this book is discrete, so it is not necessary to read this series in order.
Cammuso has penned another winner. I hope there are more graphic novels to follow in the Knights of the Lunch Table series.
Cammuso really nails middle school. Artie King is a reluctant hero that many middle schoolers (regardless of gender) will relate to and root for. The vibrant full-color artwork is good and supports the story well.
In this third series installment, Artie learns some invaluable lessons about friendship. The theme of "Don't judge a book by its cover" is also woven into the story. The plot of this book is discrete, so it is not necessary to read this series in order.
Cammuso has penned another winner. I hope there are more graphic novels to follow in the Knights of the Lunch Table series.
October 18, 2016
This isn't a bad book, but it really wasn't for me. I picked this up extremely cheaply, and I knew going in that it was meant for a younger audience. I think it works well for that demographic too.
The art leans a little more to the cartoony side, which fits the books pretty well. There isn't anything about the art that stuck with me though.
The main character finds his dad's old guitar and decides to learn how to play. This leads to him being roped into his school's battle of the bands competition by the school bully. He also has to deal with being forced to work on a lab project with a girl that he doesn't like. There is a moral at the end of the story, but the whole thing felt a little predictable
I haven't read the other books in the series and I felt like it was easy to pick this one up without missing anything. Fans of the series will probably enjoy this one too.
The art leans a little more to the cartoony side, which fits the books pretty well. There isn't anything about the art that stuck with me though.
The main character finds his dad's old guitar and decides to learn how to play. This leads to him being roped into his school's battle of the bands competition by the school bully. He also has to deal with being forced to work on a lab project with a girl that he doesn't like. There is a moral at the end of the story, but the whole thing felt a little predictable
I haven't read the other books in the series and I felt like it was easy to pick this one up without missing anything. Fans of the series will probably enjoy this one too.
May 21, 2014
The book Knights of the lunch table: the battling bands is part of a series with the main character being Arte and he is a struggling kid in middle school with only two friends, but has this magic locker that helps him through is times in need and supplies him with things to win challenge that he somehow gets himself into. This situation is with a bully battling him in a band for a super prise that is a lost trophy and he has another bully on his back that is the principal that doesn't like him for some reason. There is a very hard bet on the line too because if Arte loses his teacher that is trusting him gets fired. I really like this book because it is a comic and would recommend it to 6-7th graders because it is kind of a baby book.
January 14, 2012
I love the Knights of the Lunch Table series, and this was the coolest episode yet, as Arthur and the gang try to save the school rock `n' roll competition from being shut down by competing against the big, stupid, bullying bad guys. There is always stuff in the books for older readers who are familiar with the Arthur legends (in this book the mysterious janitor turns out to be the "Fishing King"), and the gang learns that weird girls who reach out to guys don't always want to be their girlfriends. Evil Mrs. Dagger is once more hoist on her own purple petard, and Mr. Merlyn remains the coolest, hottest science teacher in comic-dom! (Just sayin'.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2012
This story has everything from bad school lunches to Arthurian fantasy, all woven around a school band competition. It works, in a brilliant and weird way, including everything from a science teacher who is also Merlin, sort of, and the school janitor who is the Fisher King. No, really.
In this story, Artie and his friends are trying to defeat the school bullies in a musical duel, for the sake of honor and also their lunch table. Trust me, you have to read it for that to make sense, but it does.
I highly recommend this book. Kids who have read some of the King Arthur stories will get a few extra jokes, but it isn't absolutely necessary.
In this story, Artie and his friends are trying to defeat the school bullies in a musical duel, for the sake of honor and also their lunch table. Trust me, you have to read it for that to make sense, but it does.
I highly recommend this book. Kids who have read some of the King Arthur stories will get a few extra jokes, but it isn't absolutely necessary.
March 24, 2014
My favorite volume in the Knights of the Lunch Table series. We get a little bit more heart and character development with this episode. Artie and his friends start a band in hopes of winning the annual talent show. He struggles with the unwanted affections of a fellow classmates, but finds that there's more to her than meets the eye when the two are assigned as lab partners.
Lots of action, some school myth back story fun, plot twists , and cool character ties make this a highlight in the series. Recommended for grades 3-5.
Lots of action, some school myth back story fun, plot twists , and cool character ties make this a highlight in the series. Recommended for grades 3-5.
March 10, 2012
Wow! This graphic novel has a little bit of everything! The allusions to Camelot and the knights and Arthur. There are the funny parts, the touching parts, and the fantasy parts! I am very impressed by how well written and well done this graphic novel is! It will be highly recommended by me to kiddos!
April 11, 2012
This time the gang of friends is trying to win a Battle of the Bands contest AND solve the mystery of finding the "singing sword." What's at stake if they don't succeed? The school will use the money they cut from the music department on school uniforms. Oh no! The story moves along quickly with illustrations that pull us through.
June 28, 2013
The Knights of the Lunch Table is a seriously FUN graphic novel series, and I have enjoyed all three books. My one wish: that books two and three had expanded the storylines and character descriptions a bit more. Book three felt rushed- especially with the new character of Melody being so quickly there and gone.
I could easily have read more of Artie and his friends' adventures!
September 23, 2011
third in the lunch table series follow artie and friends trying to save the battle of the bands money from the evil principal. They need to find the singing sword but things are never what they seem on the outside!
March 2, 2012
Artie and his friends decide they must stand up to the school bullies by entering the battle of the bands, despite not having much musical experience and not being a band. Along the way he is surprised to discover much wisdom. Another nice entry in this series.
May 6, 2012
Not my favorite, but it was o.k. A little difficult to follow, especially if you haven't read the first two books. Just right for 4th graders, butI recommend reading the series in order to understand the characters.
June 22, 2012
3.5 stars
Really solid GN for kids.
It's always nice to find a GN that is not filled with breasts and blood and is also not completely dumbed down to kids.
This is clever and funny and will appeal to kids.
Really solid GN for kids.
It's always nice to find a GN that is not filled with breasts and blood and is also not completely dumbed down to kids.
This is clever and funny and will appeal to kids.
August 20, 2012
I'm happy to be adding this book to my graphic novel bookshelf. The Knights of the Lunch Table series was a well-loved one in my classroom last year, and I predict this book and the other two will be widely read again this year.
#59 of #summerbookaday
#59 of #summerbookaday
June 9, 2013
Artie King & his friends are back & headed on another quest in their crazy middle school - this time, they're supposed to win their school's annual "Battle of the Bands" contest. But can they find the sword trophy that's been lost for 27 years?
July 21, 2012
Mr. Merlyn is always full of advice.
I love the riddles that the Ladies of the Lunch recite to Artie as well. Great example of foreshadowing.
I love the riddles that the Ladies of the Lunch recite to Artie as well. Great example of foreshadowing.
September 25, 2011
Super underrated series for young readers - Cammuso really hits his stride in this one, laughed out loud several times. :-)
November 20, 2011
Almost as fun as the two previous two. Has a good message about accepting people regardless of their appearance.
August 5, 2012
Another fun Knights of the Lunch Table. I love all the Arthur references!
Want to read
September 18, 2012GN FIC CAM; Graphic Novel; Music Bands; Sept.18/12
October 16, 2012
Great fun little series about middle school and it's perils, esp if you are living the Arthian tales at the same time!! Still fun, still fresh, still a great read! :)
November 20, 2012
My 5. 5 year old comic book reader loves this and made me order the other two!
March 18, 2013
This is a second grade, easy read for the child that likes the comic book layout when reading. Artie and his friends are trying to find rock and roll fame and find help in some interesting places.
October 15, 2014
(Knights) J CAMMUSO
November 22, 2013
it was awesome. would read it over
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews