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)
