The Dodgeball Chronicles

Knights of the Lunch Table #1

by Frank Cammuso

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.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Middle Grade, Humor, Comics, Fiction, Juvenile

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Frank 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!

Reviews

[Gabriel F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I will tell you about, There was a boy name Artie King that just moved into the neighborhood and he moved into a school. There is a evil teacher in the school. After Artie went into the school everyone was talking about the new kid saying "it's the new kid" again and again. Then he new about the locked locker. If you didn't about the locker they say you will be cursed for the rest of eternity. Later in the school he tells everyone that he was the best dodgeball player in he's last school. But he is really not, Then in lunch time Artie accidentally dropped this bully named Joe he ask for lunch when he doesn't have money. Artie dropped his food and Joe told Artie that there was a dodgeball contest. So Artie needed a team. Then he found friends and a girl wanted to join the team but the boys didn't let them. Then later on the girl went into the team and named the team "The Knights".


Theme: Always tell the truth.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur (Artie) King is the new kid at Camelot Middle School, and the last thing he wants is to be in the spotlight. Unfortunately, he attracts attention as soon as he opens his locker-- a locker that "gives the owner strength and might" and makes him the king of all the students. Between the scary Principal Dagger, the Horde of bullies, and a potentially deadly game of dodgeball, Artie is just trying to survive his first week at Camelot Middle.

In this first installment of the Knights of the Lunch Table series, Cammuso introduces the humble hero Artie King. Middle grade readers will recognize the universal fear of entering a new school, and the Arthurian allusions add to the drama. Cammuso's vibrant and colorful illustrations are lighthearted and make this an entertaining read. Recommended for ages 8-12.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the fun book that was Edison Beaker, I thought I would try this one out. It is also a graphic novel and features a heavy load of Arthur and the Round Table stuff. It was quite fun to read.. but at times it was just too much for me. Instead of embracing a new reference at times I was just cringing. Plus, that principal should just not work there AT ALL. I get that she is the villain but it just didn't fit. AT ALL. It was just too much. The dodgeball game was eh. There was yet another annoying sister just this time a bigger one *sighs*. I hated how that one friend of Arthur was so rude and mean towards girls, come on we can also do things, get with the times you *bleep*. :|
But the art was pretty nice. Arthur was OK. I loved the locker and wouldn't mind one. Hannibal was pretty cute.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite cartoon books, and my son loved it too. It always felt like the book’s comedy masked deep themes.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur "Artie" King new to Camelot Middle School finds himself challenged to a dodge ball game by the school bully. Does Artie's team the Knights stand a chance against Joe and the Horde? The stakes are high, but Artie has a plan and a secret weapon to bring down the Horde.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talked about being new kid at school and bullies, but left a lot to be desired. Not my favorite reading for kids. Lexile 520 - Reading Counts: 4points

[Jordan Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it was fun to read

[Shel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cammuso, F. (2008), Knights of the Lunch Table: The dodgeball chronicles. New York: Scholastic.

043990322x

141 Pages.


Appetizer: Artie and his family have just moved to a new house and Artie is nervous about starting his new school, Camelot Middle School. And he learns he had reasons to be nervous. It turns out the school is ruled by bullies and an unjust principal. It falls to Artie and his two new friends to rise and battle the bullies (the equivalent of a horde of Roman soldiers) in a game of dodgeball.

Students already familiar with Arthurian legend will meet many twists on familiar characters that are mapped onto a modern school setting. Merlin is now Mr. Merlyn the science teacher. The Lady of the Lake becomes the lunch ladies of the icky, green, pea soup. The sword in the stone is a locker that only a student "true of heart" can open. And on and on.

I was greatly entertained by this book. Not only because the way myth and legend are presented in children's literature is the subject of my dissertation, but I was also impressed by how thorough Cammuso was in his re-presentation. I can't help but wonder if he can keep it up for the sequel, The Dragon Players. (Tune in at some unknown future date for that review!)

I especially liked that there was multicultural representation with the characters. Guinevere is re-imagined as Gwen Lee and Merlin and Percy are both African American. This can visually welcome in young readers who feel like traditional tellings of Arthurian legend may not represent or welcome them in.

I was also entertained because there are messages about what the role of education is. The principal, Mrs. Dagger, states, "Some teachers, like Mr. Merlyn, would have you believe that a successful education is based on freedom, respect and understanding. I'll tell you what that's a combination for...failure. Education means discipline, control, fear..." (p. 19). Such a nice conversation starter for undergraduate education majors. Of course, another option would be to use a passage like this one to ask high school students "what does education mean to you?" Asking something like that could influence the way a teacher could conduct their class over the following year.

Having said all of this though, the ending of the graphic novel did feel a little abrupt. And I didn't like how Artie...did something. It felt like cheating. But I don't want to give spoilers. If you've read the book, feel free to leave a comment and we can discuss more.


Dinner Conversation:

ARTIE: "My stomach hurst. Can I stay home?
MOM: It's just butterflies. Besides, you can't miss your first day at the new school.
ARTIE: Why did we have to move? What if the new kids don't like me> What if they find out I stink at sports? What if my locker doesn't open? What if..." (p. 4).

PERCY: "See those guys playing dodgeball? That's THE HORDE. They push everybody around. They take our stuff. They kinda rule the school" (p. 16).

PERCY: "Dwayne Ferryman. He's with the horde. Those jerks shake me down every week.
ARTIE: Why doesn't the principal do something about them?
PERCY: Principal Dagger? Are you kidding? She's worse" (p. 17).

LUNCH LADIES: "Ham 'n cheese...and onion rings...'tis the locker of the king."
ARTIE: "Ok, how'd you know my last name?"
LUNCH LADIES: "Chicken patty...and macaroons...be forewarned, a battle looms" (pp. 36-37).

PERCY: "Ok, but if we win [at dodge ball], you have to leave us alone."
JOE: "And when we win, he shows me how to open this locker and I prove once and for all that I rule the school."
PERCY: "Deal."
JOE: "You heard the geek! Dodge ball match, Friday after school, geeks against the horde, winners rule the school" (p. 52).


To Go with the Meal:

A teacher could pair Knights of the Lunch Table with a more traditional account of King Arthur or could explore the history behind the legend and the theories about who the actual Arthur was/may have been.

The book is excellent for discussion the very realistic concerns of going to a new school, deciding to be yourself, making friends and facing bullies. (Plus, the shares the truth that some girls are rock stars at dodgeball, so you have to let them play)


Tasty Rating: !!!

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this in my new book order last week and barely remember ordering it, but am so glad I did, and even happier that I brought it home this weekend. What a hoot! Arte King is starting 6th grade at Camelot Middle School and becomes the leader of the geeks after he opens a locker that no one has been able to open in years. Cammuso's art is fab and the school and King Arthur humor is great. This will be perfect to recommend to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Merlin is a bald, black, goateed, science teacher with a gold hoop earring. Can't wait for the sequel.

[Nathaniel Dykstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary-
Arthur King is a new kid at his school, which has some magical properties. He opens up a magical locker, and gets noticed by school bullies, who challenge him to a dodgeball game. Though having a 1 v 1 situation, Arthur wins.

Review-
I absolutely love the story being told in this little comic book. It has a bit of Sword In The Stone vibes with the character names and the school being "Camelot". The artwork on the other hand, is not the best. I'm not a big fan of it. Still though, it's a fun little read.

[Austin Phadoungsyavong]

You are think want rule school by student who control with old locker like king or legend but not real if not get skill or something then will ruin friend, thing, and everyone but anyone can just do it and get plan you will see happen.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this book had a name, it would be Cutie McCutester. Adorable Authurian retelling that places dorky Arthur King in middle school. "I'm not the chosen one! I'm usually the last one chosen!" Love!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever riff on King Arthur for the 5-7th grade set. Fun read.

[Mmsilve1asu.Edu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artie simply wants to be able to survive his new school without being brushed off as a loser like he had been at other schools in the past. He makes new friends fairly quickly and decides he really just wants to fit in. The pressure for Artie to fit in is what pushes him to refer to himself as a dodgeball legend when talking with his new friends. It is this lie that brings Artie into a dilemma he may not be able to get himself out of. Artie needs to come up with a solution and fast in order to take down the bullies at his school once and for all. Can dodgeball be the answer even if Artie isn't the legend he says he is? Will the bullies continue to rule their school or can Artie actually do something about them?

I really enjoyed this novel and could easily relate to the characters as I reflected upon how my life was when I was their age. The issues that Artie and his new friends, Percy and Wayne, are facing are very common things that many adolescents experience, such as with bullying and the pressure to fit in. At Artie's age, it seems like a mandate to be able to fit in somewhere and to try to avoid bullies whenever possible. This book illustrates how important it is to believe in yourself as well as your team and how it's very possible to have friends even without lying about who you are as a person. It isn't important to be the best at everything if it's something that you're really lying about. Even after Artie tells the truth, his friends still stick by him.

A good exercise would be to rewrite this graphic novel but into a short story form. In order to truly understand this book and any lessons behind it, I think it is important for students to have the chance to express the story and what they got from it in their own words. The short story exercise focuses on how Artie's life could have changed and in what ways exactly, if he didn't originally lie about his dodgeball skills. Students can also write a story about a time when they were Artie's age and felt the need to lie about themselves. Students should explain why they did what they did and if they feel differently about the situation now that they are older. It is important for students to be able to really see the difference in their perspectives and how they have changed over time or more specifically, with age. There may even be some students that still think the way that they did when they were Artie's age, also.

[Merri Barnousky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected this book to be shallowly-written and cheesy (I mean come on, it's a kids' comic called Knights of the Lunch Table), but it's actually surprisingly good. It has a lot of little nods to Arthurian legend, both in character names and actual events, but it has its own story too -- complete with a little bit of magic. It's a good book for kids who already like King Arthur, and they'll probably get the most out of it, but I think it's enjoyable regardless.

My only issue was that the way Artie saved the day fell a little flat. It basically made sense, but I feel like that part of the story needed a little more editing. The rest was great, though. Cute, funny, crazy, age-appropriate, just cheesy enough to be fun, and yet with a hint of that shivery feeling that good mythological fantasy delivers. :)

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love about this well-constructed graphic novel for middle grade readers. References to the King Arthur legend abound, even in the details like the Valiant Blade comic books Artie reads and Artie's locker number 001XCL. Mr. Merlyn is a wise but cool character, a tough combination to get right. But my personal favorite characters are the soothsaying lunch ladies stirring the cauldron, straight out of Macbeth.

Cammuso really nails middle school, right down to the lightning-speed gossip grapevine and the seething mass of kids in the cafeteria. Artie King is a reluctant hero that many middle schoolers (regardless of gender) will relate to and root for. I didn't think dodgeball could be so exciting. The vibrant full-color artwork is good and supports the story well.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has references to legend of king arthur – particularly in the mysterious elements. The locker is Arthur’s sword, which keeps mysteriously supplying items he needs in his future adventures. Another link is Artie’s science teacher/guidance counselor Mr. Merlyn, who seems to be able to predict the future.
It deals with a lot of common themes like bullying, and being the new kid, perseverance, navigating friendships, and difficult sibling relationships. I found it a little predictable and aggressive on the bully issue, but the dialogue and the wit in Cammuso’s writing and the bright, highly accessible artwork was excellent and I thought especially appealing for the target audience. The story arch kept it fast paced and entertaining. Another plus is some nice diversity of characters.

[Jackson Delfosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Cammuso
Published: 2008
Reading Level: 9-13 years old
Genre: graphic novel
Page Number: 144
Summary: Artie King wants to fit in to Camelot Middle School. He has new lunch buddies named Percy and Wayne, as well as his science teacher Mr. Merlyn. He runs into problems with his evil principal and the bullies that rule the school. I rate this book a 2/5. It gave good detail and visuals for children to look at while they read, but I feel that the kids wouldn't catch onto the King Arthur resemblance.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the new kid in school, Artie is lucky enough to find friendship with his lunch pals, Percy and Wayne, before a group of bullies and the terrifying Principle Daggers hone in on his optimism and lead him and his friends into a duel of the dodgeballs! Cammuso will keep readers of all ages chuckling with this humorous and colourful middle grade adventure that gives mythology a witty modern twist. How are Artie and his new pals supposed to win a match against the biggest, baddest students at school?

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story ‘Knights or the Lunch Table by Frank Cammuso, it talk about the pupils with High school student have a dodgeball game. Before the game, his friends crash the spider. In the game at the crucial moment, he take out the spider, and high school student was scared and run away. And the pupils will win the game.

[Brandon Meisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel. This novel is about a boy who transfers school and tells a little fib about being a dodgeball legend. At the end of the book the boy whom transferred faces off in the school championship versus the defending champs..."The Horde". This book intertwines fantasy and reality, and really keeps your imagination going as you read along.

Grade Level: 4th - 8th

[Fuchsia Rascal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honestly entertaining modern day retelling of Arthuriana. Some of it borders on a little *too* over the top for me as an adult, but would be a hit for younger readers. Deals with issues of bullying (peers, siblings, and authority figures) and touches on addressing sexism. A good introduction to Arthurian legends for middle grade readers, especially if they're the "outcasts" at school.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Artie King - Camelot Middle School - Knights of the Lunch Table - Get it?
Like some cheap disposable plot that has been done elsewhere and done far better this is a weird book written for youngsters who probably won't even know it is you are making a parody about. Pretty lame stuff.

[Anna Chang 8E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it because it was really funny, the characters were amazing, and I really liked the pictures. The story was also really good. I would recommend this book to people who don't like to read books with a lot of words, and who like graphic novels.

[Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts out with a kid that moved and he has a first day of school and he opens the locker you can’t open. Then he gets in a dodgeball game and they end up winning and they are the kings of the school. I do suggest to people who like graphic novels.

[Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Artie started going to a new school.He was able to open the special locker and then a dodgeball match happened. Artie’s team won. I would recommend this to my friends because it is a quick book to read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous! This is a clever and gentle re-imaging of middle school as the setting for the adventures we know from Camelot. And I really appreciate red-rubber balls - as well as inclusion of Gwen as a combatant - rather than sharp and poky swords.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great graphic novel for young readers! Fans of Arthurian legend will find a lot to love in this title, as our hero fights off bullies to earn his place in a new school.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and funny King Arthur story set in an elementary school.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was o.k. I love comics, but not this one