Knights of the Kitchen Table

Bibliographic information: 

Scieszka, Jon.  Knights of the Kitchen Table. New York: Viking, 1991, p.55.

Brief plot description:

Have you ever wanted to travel in time?  In this book Joe and his friends, Fred and Sam are transported back into the time of knights and dragons.  They travel through time by using a book that Joe's uncle gave him.  When Fred says he would like to see knights, the boys find themselves staring at a Black Knight on horseback.  The knight plans to kill the boys but they avoid him and knock him from his horse.  Three more knights appear and are impressed that the boys have defeated the Black Knight.  The knights are Sir Lancelot, Sir Percival and Sir Gawain.  They tell them that Camelot is under attack and needs help.  They meet King Arthur and Merlin.  A giant is outside the castle gates and a dragon is on the way.  The boys are asked to cast a spell and to get rid of them.  What will the boys do? 

Brief review:

Knights of the Kitchen Table is a fun book about knights, giants, and dragons.  I liked how the author used character names that readers would know, such as, Sir Lancelot, King Arthur, and Merlin.  The book could be used to introduce the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  It would also be useful in the study of medieval history.    I think the book could be read on an individual bases by third through sixth grade.  I think that boys will especially enjoy reading this book.  This book will encourage tweens to use their imagination and have open minds.  

Genre label:

Modern Fantasy

Reading level/interest level:

3^rd- 6^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Time Warp Trio series by Jon Scieszka

Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix