Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit (Lunch Lady, Book 5)
#5 of 10 in Lunch Lady Series
on Goodreads (4,127)
What’s inside...
From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo, comes a story about The Breakfast Bunch who is excited for an upcoming bake sale that will fund an awesome field trip. However, when all the snacks go missing, the group realizes someone is sabotaging the event. Lunch Lady and the Breakfast Bunch decide to investigate and follow the trail one brownie crumb at a time to find out who is behind it and why.
Character compass
Lunch Lady
Dee
Betty
Terrence
Hector
Bake Sale Bandit
Discussion points
What do you think motivates the Bake Sale Bandit to cause trouble, and how does Lunch Lady handle the situation?
How do the other characters react to the Bake Sale Bandit’s actions? What does this tell us about teamwork and community?
If you were a character in the book, how would you help solve the mystery of the Bake Sale Bandit?
What are some qualities that make Lunch Lady a hero in the story? Can you think of someone in real life who reminds you of her?
How do the illustrations enhance the story for you? Which picture is your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their personal experiences, enhancing their empathy and ethical reasoning.
Discuss the concept of right and wrong as showcased in the book, helping your child understand moral values in a fun context.
Ask your child to predict future events or alternate endings to the story, boosting their creativity and analytical skills.
Explore themes of courage and integrity by asking how they would act in similar situations, fostering character development.
Use the book’s illustrations as a talking point to delve deeper into the story, helping your child develop observation and interpretation skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the story, Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty work together to solve the mystery of the missing bake sale money, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in group activities or team sports, learning that working together can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Honesty and integrity
Explanation: The characters in the book face choices that test their honesty, with the resolution reinforcing the importance of being truthful.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to practice honesty in their daily interactions and to understand that integrity builds trust with others.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The protagonist uses critical thinking and deductive reasoning to uncover clues and solve the mystery, highlighting effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: Children can use similar critical thinking methods to tackle challenges in their schoolwork or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book take responsibility for their actions, which is crucial to resolving the story's conflict. This shows the value of taking ownership of one’s duties.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to take responsibility for their tasks, such as homework or chores, understanding that their actions have consequences.