The Lunch Box Surprise

First-Grade Friends

by Grace Maccarone, Betsy Lewin (Illustrator)

Share lunchtime with Sam and his First-Grade Friends! In THE LUNCH BOX SURPRISE, everyone is hungry and sits down to eat. But, oh no, Sam's mom forgot to pack his lunch! Sam is sad and hungry, until the First-Grade Friends help out by sharing their lunches with him!This is a rhyming easy-to-read story that celebrates friendship and childhood.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, Food

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Grace Maccarone is an American children’s book editor and author, notably of Miss Lina’s Ballerinas, illustrated by Christine Davenier, and its sequel Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Prince. She has also worked as an editor at Scholastic, Wireless Generation, and currently Holiday House.

Reviews

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a boy who finds that his lunchbox is empty at school! But when everyone shares with him, we have a happy ending.

This book made me nostalgic for the times when kids were actually allowed to share food. It's forbidden at my kids' school.

[Brittaney Ellis]

text-to-world

This book shows diversity. Many times, people associate diversity with race but the word is so much more than that. I thought about diversity because every one in the class brought a different food item. Although this is a rather simple story, there is still a message that can easily be reinforced. Not only that, but one of the students in the class has no food at all. All the other students felt sad for their friend and decided to give some of their lunch to him. The obvious message of sharing was evident there. I encourage my children to share although I do not force them. I want sharing to be a choice and come from the heart in my class. The best way to teach that is to model it.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

my kids liked this book. my daughter thought it was nice that everyone shared with Sam. I thought that it was an ok read for beginners.

[Kimberly Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Sam's friends have great lunches but when Sam pens his lunchbox, his is empty. His mom forgot to pack him a lunch. Sam is sad and hungry, but his friends will not let him go hungry. They all share something from their lunches and Sam ends up having the best lunch ever. Good, very easy level 1, easy reader book. Good for kindergarten and 1st grade.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more of a learning to read book versus a 'storybook'. IT is a good one for children learning to read as it has simple three to four word sentences per page. And usually the words rhyme making it easy to read. Helping self esteem of the child learning.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't many words on one page and the illustrations were very well done. It grabbed my attention as an adult so I am sure kids will enjoy it as well.

[Dalia DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First grade level book, nice read on sharing. Although, my daughter says she didn’t like it because his mom forgot to pack his lunch. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Ashley Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Sam! His mom forgot to pack his lunch! Sam is hungry, and Sam is mad. But when the other children all pitch in, it is the best lunch Sam has ever had!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable but dated. We changed the words "his mom forgot" and always read parents. It doesn't take xx chromosomes to pack a school child's lunch.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for young readers. The vocabulary isn't too tough and there is enough repetition that the child is encouraged by the familiar words. The story is simple - Sam has no lunch and his friends share their lunches with him - so the topic is easy to understand and the child reading the story gains a little more reading comprehension proficiency.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

i likte the book because the people shared
their food with him!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reader. Love the pictures. Could have better illustrations.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a boy's mom forgets to pack his lunch, his classmates help out by contributing parts of their lunches.

Veg*n parents note: Multiple references to meat products in the kids' lunches.

[Miri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy opens his lunch box to find his mother has forgotten to pack his lunch, but his friends offer up parts of their lunch. A level one reader