Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (July 28, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780375846830
ISBN-13: 978-0375846830
Synopsis: Lunch Lady is not only serving up meals in the cafeteria, she's serving up justice so she can make sure the students are safe! Follow the adventures of Lunch Lady and her faithful assistant Betty, along with student sleuths Hector, Dee and Terrence as they discover there's something fishy about the new substitute, and it isn't just the daily special they're smelling!
Review: This graphic novel was a quick read, but a very fun one. As would be expected, there's lots of action and humor. I especially enjoyed all of Lunch Lady's weapons disguised as ordinary cafeteria fare and utensils! Although the only colors in the graphic novel are black, white, gray and yellow, this does not detract from the plot line in the book - in fact, it seems to point the reader to where the focus needs to be, without a lot of background "clutter" to get in the way. I especially enjoyed the cliff-hanger ending of the book, sure to send readers scrambling for the next installment.
Awards/Reviews:
- WINNER 2009 Kid's Indie Next List "Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers"
- WINNER 2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
"Yellow-highlighted pen-and-ink cartoons are as energetic and smile-provoking as Lunch Lady’s epithets of 'Cauliflower!' and Betty’s ultimate weapon, the hairnet. There is a nice twist in the surprise ending, and the kids’ ability to stand up to the school bully shows off their newfound confidence in a credible manner. Little details invite and reward repeat readings with visual as well as verbal punning." - Booklist review
Connections:
Get students to make their own superhero weapon for Lunch Lady to use. Print handouts of a page from the book at http://www.lunchladycomics.com/llfinishthestory.pdf and let students write and draw their own dialouge and superhero gadget!
Print out more gadget blueprints for students from http://www.lunchladycomics.com/bettysblueprints.pdf and let students make their own blueprints and gadgets. Then have students write a journal entry about how Lunch Lady uses the new gadget(s). If students are artistically inclined, they can write it in graphic novel form. If not, prose is fine.
Prior to using this book in class, download and peruse the teachers' resource on the use of graphic novels from Random House http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375846830.pdf. There are great ideas for integrating graphic novels into the classroom!
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