LUNCH LADY: AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA
Bibliography:
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY: AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA. Ill. by Jarrett Krosoczka. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2009. ISBN: 9780375860942
Plot Summary:
The LUNCH LADY: AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA is a charming graphic novel about a heroic lunch lady. This is not your stereotypical lunch lady, this lunch lady has special gadgets and devices to help her save the day time and time again. In this particular episode the lunch lady is solving the mystery of the missing gym coach. While the lunch lady is the main character she has supporting cast of students that lead her through the mysteries without them ever knowing she's spying on them. Throughout the story the lunch lady has classic pitfalls, but they ultimately leave her the victor.
Critical Analysis:
Krosoczka has created an adventurous caricature that happens to be the school spy and Lunch Lady. The unnamed Lunch Lady seeks adventure in the intent of solving mysteries; she even has a sidekick Betty, who creates clever food related contraptions that help the Lunch Lady to solve the current novels mysteries. As the story develops the reader gets the feeling that the honorable Lunch Lady can be a stern right-fighter. She is the defender of all students equally, and the students respect that quality. Lunch Lady is a classic school figure with a need for superhero voyages. The other characters in the adorable graphic novel include a group of students, a gym teacher, and the partially evil guest villain, Mr. Scribson. While the rest of the cast is considered a supporting cast, Krosoczka is skilled in creating characters through detailed facially expressions and conversational dialogue bubbles.
LUNCH LADY...VENDETTA opens with what feels like the end of the previous story. Then we flash to the next episode or "Later that morning" where a group of students are preparing for their famous visitor. As the story builds the reader flashes to different events happening at the school and different characters thoughts and feelings. We learn that the author is kind of a snob, sidekick Betty has built new spying gear, and there is a missing coach. It is through the drawings that we discover one of Lunch Lady's superpowers is eavesdropping, and that is how she learns of the fishy story of the missing coach. Lunch Lady demands that something is done, and gets her sidekick Betty on board to further investigate the missing coach and the famous author. The plot moves quickly with plenty of comedic blunders that make the reader chuckle. While the ridiculousness of bunnies attacking is clearly an dramatization, the reader gladly accepts this conundrum. The playful, preposterous story is fun for the reader, and the plots keep the reader in the series.
The primary setting of LUNCH LADY...VENDETTA is a school building. The classification of the school is left out, so that readers of varying ages can identify with the book, clever move on Krosoczka's part. Because the setting is adaptable to any school the reader can envision their own experiences as they read the novel. While the setting is necessary because of the nature of the series, it is not an integral part of the novel.
Krosoczka's adventurous tail of the Lunch Lady does not have a deep and life changing theme, yet it stays playful and makes the reader laugh. A possible theme of the novel is the idea of pursuing wrong doers, and trusting your instincts. The Lunch Lady is an incredible demonstration of this theme and creates a unique role model for readers.
Krosoczka's writes a classic graphic novel using drawing, word bubbles, third person point of view, and time of day labels. He keeps the tone of the novel numerous in a suspenseful way. He uses playful language and keeps the reader turning the pages. I found myself not just reading, but also examining the pictures and laughing at those as well. Overall, this graphic novel is a timeless piece for all ages.
Review Excerpts
LUNCH LADY...VENDETTA opens with what feels like the end of the previous story. Then we flash to the next episode or "Later that morning" where a group of students are preparing for their famous visitor. As the story builds the reader flashes to different events happening at the school and different characters thoughts and feelings. We learn that the author is kind of a snob, sidekick Betty has built new spying gear, and there is a missing coach. It is through the drawings that we discover one of Lunch Lady's superpowers is eavesdropping, and that is how she learns of the fishy story of the missing coach. Lunch Lady demands that something is done, and gets her sidekick Betty on board to further investigate the missing coach and the famous author. The plot moves quickly with plenty of comedic blunders that make the reader chuckle. While the ridiculousness of bunnies attacking is clearly an dramatization, the reader gladly accepts this conundrum. The playful, preposterous story is fun for the reader, and the plots keep the reader in the series.
The primary setting of LUNCH LADY...VENDETTA is a school building. The classification of the school is left out, so that readers of varying ages can identify with the book, clever move on Krosoczka's part. Because the setting is adaptable to any school the reader can envision their own experiences as they read the novel. While the setting is necessary because of the nature of the series, it is not an integral part of the novel.
Krosoczka's adventurous tail of the Lunch Lady does not have a deep and life changing theme, yet it stays playful and makes the reader laugh. A possible theme of the novel is the idea of pursuing wrong doers, and trusting your instincts. The Lunch Lady is an incredible demonstration of this theme and creates a unique role model for readers.
Krosoczka's writes a classic graphic novel using drawing, word bubbles, third person point of view, and time of day labels. He keeps the tone of the novel numerous in a suspenseful way. He uses playful language and keeps the reader turning the pages. I found myself not just reading, but also examining the pictures and laughing at those as well. Overall, this graphic novel is a timeless piece for all ages.
Review Excerpts
- One has to wonder if author Kroscozka is indulging in some personal fantasies through these books- Children's Literature
- The illustrator uses a fine line of pen and ink with touches of yellow. Balloon call-outs are large and clear and work well for beginning readers and those new to the graphic-novel format- School Library Journal
- Krosoczka has created a clever diversion this round, with appeal not just for kids but also for other children’s authors.- Booklist
(http://www.lunchladycomics.com/
