Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown

A mysterious swamp monster threatens a summer camp’s fun, and the Lunch Lady is determined to get to the bottom of this case after the swamp monster messes with her kitchen. The fourth book in the Lunch Lady series, this graphic novel contains a light, enjoyable story. An introduction before the title page introduces the Lunch Lady, and other characters are sufficiently described to acquaint new readers to the series. While some of the main characters are developed with motives, a lot of the lesser characters fall into a gendered stereotype as being either obsessed with gross stuff or infatuated with a few members of the camp staff. Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty save the day, complete with imaginative food-related fun gadgets and a conclusion reminiscent of Scooby Doo. The panels are created using pen and ink, with color digitally added later. Most of the illustrations remain in black-and-white, but with splashes of yellow and green for contrast. Panels convincingly communicate action, such as the swamp monster crashing out a window with at least five visual cues working to show what has happened. This graphic novel is recommended to children ages seven to ten. ( )

Finally a plot I can believe in. This one belongs to the "Scooby Doo" school of mystery. Summer camp begins with just-for-fun rumours of a Swamp Monster until the new camp councillor is attacked by a green slimy monster. Lunch Lady and the gang think someone real is behind the further Swamp Monster sightings and they go after catching the slimy dude. This volume was a lot of fun. The kids being shuttled off to boys' and girls' cabins find they don't fit in with the other campers very well and drift back to each other, having more fun tracking down criminals than attending arts & crafts classes. A few laugh out loud moments. I really like the kids and while Lunch Lady was more laid-back on her summer vacation I still don't find her character very appealing. Not my favourite series, but book 4 is definitely my favourite in the series! ( )