Seven Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want To Survive The Cafeteria, written by John Grandits, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Ahmad A. 

Summary: Kyle is a shy fifth grader that has never bought lunch from the cafeteria. When one of his classmates, Ginny, finds out about this she is shocked! Looking to help, she gives Kyle her seven rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive the cafeteria. Kyle’s shy personality and his unique interest in all things insects makes his first time buying lunch from the cafeteria a very wacky adventure. As Kyle lines up to buy lunch from the cafeteria lunch line, the intimidating sixth graders line up behind him. Kyle’s imagination runs wild throughout this adventure as he encounters new challenges keeping in mind Ginny’s seven rules. Will he successfully buy lunch from the cafeteria? Or will he break the seven rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive the cafeteria? 

Straight Talk for Librarians: This book will keep young readers engaged. I think this book does a good job at portraying the challenge of an elementary schooler trying to fit in to the cafeteria norms. The illustrations used throughout this picture book contribute to the wacky and fun themes of this book. The exaggerated facial expressions and the perspective of Kyle as he sees everyone as a type of insect contributes to an overall sense of the theme of him trying to fit in with his environment. The emotions conveyed throughout this book are mostly ones of Kyle dealing with the anxiety of buying lunch from the cafeteria while also dealing with the fear of encountering new challenges. He realizes afterwards that the cafeteria was not as bad as it seemed and that Ginny’s seven rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive the cafeteria were not as legitimate as she made them out to be. In an unusual twist, the cafeteria food in this book was pretty good. Kyle enjoyed it and will continue buying school lunches. This book is a good portrayal of the fact that fitting in and encountering new challenges is not as daunting as it may seem.