Module 13: Knights of the Lunch Table by Frank Cammuso

BOOK SUMMARY: 

Frank Cammuso adapts the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in Knights of the lunch table: The battling bands, where Artie and his friends workout a plan to win a band contest against the Joe the bully and his cronies.  Unbeknownst to Artie, he is also up against Mrs. Dagger, the school principal who is tired of the competition and is trying to end it by hiding the Singing Sword Trophy so that the money can be redirected towards school uniforms.  Along the way, Artie receives advice and help from his science teacher Mr. Merlyn and Gwendolyn, his friend, as well as Melody, the new girl.  The story is full of references to King Arthur, with a modern day twist on how a young boy learns to become a leader.                   

APA REFERENCE OF BOOK: 

Cammuso, F. (2011).  Knights of the lunch table: The battling bands. New York, NY: Graphix.

IMPRESSIONS: 

I think the story is clever, with its King Arthur references and the names of the characters such as Gwendolyn and Mr. Merlyn, or objects just as the Singing Sword Trophy.  However, parts of the story seem trite and awkward such as the conversation between mom and Artie on the drive to school; Considering the age group, however, Knights would be a funny, feel-good story for children while providing visuals and a moving plot.          

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW: 

"Knights of the Lunch Table series, our guy Artie takes up his dad’s old guitar, forms a rock band, and—in spite of the hazards of school bullies, a nasty principal, and having to solve a mystery to find the Singing Sword—triumphs over some personal issues as well as musical challenges. As ever, science teacher Mr. Merlyn and the crusty school custodian offer advice without coming across as know-it-all adults. Artie enhances his band’s prospects by accepting a singer in spite of her apparent romantic interest in him, and he bests the bullies in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. " - Francisca Goldsmith


Reference:

Goldsmith, F. (2011). [Review of the book The battling bands by Frank 
       Cammuso]. Booklist, 108(4), 37.  

LIBRARY USES: 

This book can be used as an introduction to allusions and showing students that classics have been adapted.  Then the librarian could recommend modern books that have been adapted from classical literature such as The Lightening Thief.