Artie King's first day at his new middle school is terrible: his nasty older sister ensures he misses the bus; a couple of geeky kids are friendly, but the school bullies smell a new victim; and the principal is a horror who hands out detentions and dire warnings as she peers out from behind her horn-rimmed glasses. Artie has muddied the waters a bit himself by boasting that he's a dodgeball pro en he's really not. Kids familiar with King Arthur legends will like the idea of a mysterious locker, seemingly rusted shut, that opens for Artie and the helpful stranger named Merlyn (who turns out to be Artie's science teacher and guidance counselor). But kids unfamiliar with Arthur will still like this tongue-in-cheek take on the school rules and games that can dominate a kid's life. Although the characters seem purposefully multiethnic, Cammuso's text is witty and his cartoons energetic; his pictures speak as clearly as his words. A good start for the Knights of the Lunch Tale series.

Arthur King's new to Camelot Middle School. He's hoping he won't be a total outsider, despite his lack of skill in all sports. He does make friends with fellow students Percy and Wayne, and he befriends a slightly mysterious teacher, Mr. Merlyn. However, Arthur ends up on the bad side (like much of the student body) of evil principal Mrs. Dagger and the dodgeball team- cum -gang of bullies called "the Horde." After running afoul of Mrs. Dagger one too many times, Arthur and his friends must beat the Horde at dodgeball or they'll be expelled and Mr. Merlyn will have to quit. Guess what happens. A political cartoonist and the creator of Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective, Cammuso has created a big, bright, funny, page-turning first volume of stories very loosely based on the King Arthur stories and laced with other literary references. Young readers will identify with the characters and ask for more. This will appeal to the same crowd that loves the Amelia Rules! series by Jimmy Gownley. (Final art not seen.) (Graphic fiction. 7-10)

Gr 4-8 Arthurian legend gets an update for young readers in this outstanding graphic novel. During his first day at Camelot Middle School, Artie King opens a locker that no one has ever been able to open; gets a pop quiz from his science teacher, Mr. Merlyn; and offends both Principal Dagger and bully Joe Roman. Joe is the leader of the Horde, a gang that happens to be the local dodgeball (a game played here with the fervor of Texas football) champions. With his future at Camelot riding on a challenge match, Arthur calls on new friends Wayne and Percy, and gets a little assistance from that mysterious locker. References to other versions of Arthurian legend are sprinkled throughout (such as mentions of Camelot alumni Terry White and Tommy Mallory), but the funny, fast-paced tale of young Arthurs quest to defeat the bullies stands well on its own. The appealing illustrations are full of color, action, and life. Point new fans to one of the many retellings of the deeds of the Round Table while they wait for the second volume in the series. Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood