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Jarrett Krosoczka

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Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute: Lunch Lady #1 Paperback – June 1, 2009

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Author)

4.7 823 ratings

Part of: Lunch Lady

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From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo.

Serving justice . . . and lunch!

Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered about their school lunch lady. What does she do when she isn’t dishing out the daily special? Where does she live? Does she have a lot of cats at home? Little do they know, Lunch Lady doesn’t just serve sloppy joes—she serves justice! Whatever danger lies ahead, it’s no match for LUNCH LADY!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This tongue-in-cheek superheroine graphic novel will hit the spot for chapter-book readers. Lunch Lady and Betty, her assistant in both the cafeteria and her role of wrong-righting supersleuth, investigate the strange case of an absent teacher, his creepy substitute, and a plan to grab the Teacher of the Year Award by truly foul means. Three little kids join in the action as Lunch Lady, equipped with a variety of high-tech kitchen gadgets like a spatu-copter and a lunch-tray laptop, tracks a cleverly disguised robot to his maker’s lab, where a whole army of cyborgs require kicking, stomping, and the wielding of fish-stick nunchucks. 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. Grades 2-4. --Francisca Goldsmith

About the Author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the author-illustrator of Punk Farm, Punk Farm on Tour, Max for President, and Baghead. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf Books for Young Readers; unknown edition (June 1, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0375846832
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0375846830
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ GN520L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.37 x 7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #98,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #82 in Children's Manga (Books)
- #1,002 in Children's School Issues
- #3,736 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 823 ratings

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Jarrett Krosoczka

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Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

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823 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book humorous and engaging. They say it's a good introduction to comics for young readers and a great way to get kids reading. The storyline is described as cute and interesting. Readers appreciate the cartoon presentation style and lively pictures. They like the concept and think it would make a good introduction to the genre for almost any young reader. Opinions differ on readability, with some finding it easy to read and holding up well, while others say there is not a lot of text.

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Humor Reading level Storyline Graphic novel style Concept Readability

26 customers mention "Humor"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it funny, silly, and engaging. The book is described as a clever graphic novel with an unlikely super hero. It's fun to read and display, with the three children being hilarious.

"...I’m so pleasantly surprised. My students LOVE it! They think it’s hilarious that a lunch lady is fighting robots...." Read more

"...This book is perfect--it's funny and has a lot of lively pictures of the cafeteria Lunch Lady saving the day, plus the words used are a good mix of..." Read more

"...It’s clever, silly, fast-paced, and left us both laughing over many pages...." Read more

"...The books are completely unrealistic but hilarious humor about this super heroine lunch lady...for my boy, none of these books could be any better...." Read more

24 customers mention "Reading level"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's reading level suitable for young readers and reluctant readers. It provides an introduction to comics and is a treat to read with children. The book has an interest level up to 5th grade, but some readers find it helpful for struggling older readers who are affected often by only reading.

"...I’m grateful these have gotten him excited about reading again and hope I can find something else like this to keep his interest...." Read more

"Lunch Lady was such a treat to read with my 9 year old son. It’s clever, silly, fast-paced, and left us both laughing over many pages...." Read more

"...Has an interest level up to 5th grade though and great for struggling older struggling readers who are affected often by only have reading material..." Read more

"...It's really written for kids...but I think she'll get a kick out of it and I'm sure her daughetr who is 11 will love it" Read more

9 customers mention "Storyline"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find it cute, fun, and interesting for young readers. The plot is described as crazy and adventurous, making it a great introduction to the graphic novel series.

"My nephew likes the story and thought it was a great first book. He’s excited to read the rest of the series!" Read more

"...This is such a cute mystery book. I actually laughed out loud at some of it. This is the first in a what I believe will be a great series." Read more

"Super cute art and great story line. My son who is really into comic-like books and robots loves this book. He requested it by name." Read more

"...The two lunch ladies were heroic and adventurous. We will move to book two." Read more

7 customers mention "Graphic novel style"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cartoon presentation style and lively pictures in the book. They find the content fast-paced and engaging.

"...This book is perfect--it's funny and has a lot of lively pictures of the cafeteria Lunch Lady saving the day, plus the words used are a good mix of..." Read more

"Super cute art and great story line. My son who is really into comic-like books and robots loves this book. He requested it by name." Read more

"...Excellent illustration." Read more

"This book is perfect for a young reader. The cartoon presentation style is appealing to my reader and the content is fast and animated." Read more

4 customers mention "Concept"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the concept. They say it's a good introduction to the genre for young readers, and it's clever and fun.

"Lunch Lady was such a treat to read with my 9 year old son. It’s clever, silly, fast-paced, and left us both laughing over many pages...." Read more

"I like the concept. The series levels at 2nd grade. I like the high interest comic style...." Read more

"...Lunch Lady wants to know what is up. This was clever and fun. It was different and I want to know what happens in this series." Read more

"...I think this would make a good introduction to the genre for almost any young reader." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"4 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it easy to read with a good mix of easy and challenging words. Others appreciate the comic style, which has little text but enthralls reluctant and dyslexic readers.

"...of the cafeteria Lunch Lady saving the day, plus the words used are a good mix of mainly easy and with some challenging ones thrown in too...." Read more

"Comic style, so not a lot of text, but my 9 year old loves these and will read an entire book voluntarily, in a few hours...." Read more

"...The whole series is engaging with enough challenging words to keep it on the faves list." Read more

"...This book is really easy for my daughter to read and understand." Read more

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Jennifer Metevia
Super cool book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2018
Verified Purchase

I have been thinking about picking up a copy of this book for about a year for my students. I teach older students who struggle with reading and it looked like it could be a good read for them. I wasn’t sure though as books in a more muted color scheme haven’t gone over as well as plain black and white or full color illustrated graphic novels. I had some points and decided to try the first title.

I’m so pleasantly surprised. My students LOVE it! They think it’s hilarious that a lunch lady is fighting robots. They were reading it together and pointing and laughing. I’m super excited to get other titles in this series now! I keep Book series in plastic tubs labeled with a picture showing which series it is. I cannot wait to get more titles and make a Lunch Lady bin!

Give this book a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

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anonymous
My son loves these!
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
My son first was into these two years ago when he was 8. He’s always been a bit of a reluctant reader unless he finds something he really likes..well he LOVED these. Fast forward two years, he is 10 now and we are in the summer before 5th grade and it’s to the point I can’t get him to read anything, he says he wants nothing to do with reading anymore this summer! BUT the other night I remembered the Lunch Lady books and casually put them by his bed at bedtime. Since then each night he has read probably half a book and has been telling me how much he loves these books. He loves them so much he doesn’t even feel like he’s reading (so he says ;). I told him when he’s done reading the ones we have we can get the new ones that have come out since he read last. I’m grateful these have gotten him excited about reading again and hope I can find something else like this to keep his interest. Thanks for writing such a great series that kids love!

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24 people found this helpful

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BA
Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
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My nephew likes the story and thought it was a great first book. He’s excited to read the rest of the series!

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Jaylia
Enthralls reluctant and dyslexic readers
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2010
Verified Purchase
As a reading tutor I am always looking for high interest books for my students with dyslexia. This book is perfect--it's funny and has a lot of lively pictures of the cafeteria Lunch Lady saving the day, plus the words used are a good mix of mainly easy and with some challenging ones thrown in too. I have a very smart eleven year old student who can only read at the first or early second grade level and he loves this book. It takes him a long time, but not only can he read almost all of it himself, I have to take the book out of his hands at the end of our session because he is completely engrossed.

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31 people found this helpful

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Cris D
Lunch Lady v1
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
When a teacher is out and a substitute teacher seems questionable, The Lunch Lady with her side kick Harriet (also a lunch lady) investigates. Three children are curious what the Lunch Lady does after school and follow her. This is such a cute mystery book. I actually laughed out loud at some of it. This is the first in a what I believe will be a great series.

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One person found this helpful

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M&M
Great for boys or girls
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Lunch Lady was such a treat to read with my 9 year old son. It’s clever, silly, fast-paced, and left us both laughing over many pages. Now every time he eats chicken nuggets he pretends they are secret nugget bombs!

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F. Ammar
Good
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
i love lunch lady but i stop reading them i went to jair book store and i found dog man i used to read them in new zealand whn i found them i took out 100 dollars and RAN to grt ever book i could see i maybe use 60 dollars then i sae diary of a wimpy kid and i remeber how much my 6 year older brother read them and he annoyed me he said i read them at my friends please can i get one i said no and he PLEASE in a annoyjng voice i said fun and i had to rake my brother my mom said so

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One person found this helpful

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LDal
Great for my 7 yo son!
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
My 7 yo (and his 4 yo brother for that matter) loves this whole series! Graphic novels have been the best bet for getting him more interested in reading, but Lunch Lady has been transformative! This is the first one in the series, so a must for how it comes to be that the three main kids get to understand the secret truth about their strange but liked lunch lady. The books are completely unrealistic but hilarious humor about this super heroine lunch lady...for my boy, none of these books could be any better. Woo-hoo!

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Top reviews from other countries

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busymom
Outstanding!!!👍👍👍
Reviewed in India on March 15, 2018
Verified Purchase

I found the characters of this book and their adventure very cool. Since it was a graphic novel, it was easy to read(I am 7 years old) .If you like spy adventures like me, go for it!

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J.E.P
Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 26, 2016
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My son (who is 8) loved this book. Read it in one day.

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Roberto Bianchini
Simpatica lettura per i piccoli
Reviewed in Italy on May 6, 2013
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Una divertente rilettura della figura della "Signora della mensa" (Lunch Lady appunto), in chiave super eroe o 007 se volete. Mi ha incuriosito il personaggio raccontato, in una presentazione dello stesso autore Jarrett J. Krosoczka fatta sul canale web TED. Consiglio il libro ai più piccoli, che abbiano già un pò di dimestichezza con l'inglese.

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white jenny
多読の息抜きに！！
Reviewed in Japan on April 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
「英語多読ガイドブック」で紹介されていて、くだらなそう・・・と思いつつ一巻だけ買ってみようと思い購入。
サイボーグが送りこまれた理由や、LUNCH　LADYの秘密基地のある場所など面白くて、はまりました。
あきるまでシリーズを購入してみようと思います。
黄色とグレーの色合いも、読みやすくて良かったです。多読で絵のないペーパーバックに疲れた時など
最高の息抜きになると思います。

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Andrey F.
Excellent book!
Reviewed in Canada on June 12, 2017
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Excellent book full of action and humour!

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Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!!👍👍👍

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

4.0 out of 5 stars Simpatica lettura per i piccoli

5.0 out of 5 stars 多読の息抜きに！！

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!

Outstanding!!!👍👍👍

Five Stars

Simpatica lettura per i piccoli

多読の息抜きに！！

Excellent book!