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Lunch Witch #2
Lunch Witch #2: Knee-deep in Niceness, The
Grunhilda the Witch has a weakness, a tiny soft spot on her black and crusty heart. She continues to hide the nice feelings she has when she gets a letter from former Salem Elementary student Madison. But she can't keep up the ruse for long because her familiars are onto her… and so are her ancestors! The familiars search her hovel and find her collection of letters from Madison. Mr. Williams has a solution, but it involves making a meanness potion from the book that Is-Not-To-Be-Used-By-Anyone-Other-Than Witches! But anything that can go wrong does when he accidentally mixes up a positivity potion instead and it starts to affect everyone in town!
180 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 7, 2017
I read the first Lunch Witch book by Deb Lucke a couple months ago and instantly wanted to read the second graphic novel. The books are really fast, easy-to-read graphic novels that are really funny and clever. Sadly, my library didn't cary the second book, but when I took my students to the school library to check out books this was on display and I had to snatch it up :) One of my students then checked out the first book and really liked it and now wants to read the second book also!
I suggest this book to anyone that is looking for a fast, enjoyable graphic novel.
I suggest this book to anyone that is looking for a fast, enjoyable graphic novel.
January 29, 2022
8 out of 10
This book continues the story of "Grunhilda" as she works as a lunch lady at Salem Elementary. It turns out that she has a little spot of niceness in her black crusted-over heart, so she might be capable of being nice. This book mainly focuses on Grunhilda's many pets and this random boy scout that comes into her life, in the hope of a badge.
This book continues with Lucke's terrifying free form artstyle, and she gets very creative with some of the drawings presented in this book. I love how absolutely unappealing these character designs are, and they really depicted a dark but humorous mood. The composition of this book is enormously creative, and the author includes some horrifying page backgrounds, (way more putrid than the first book!). Here's an example below. "This is actually printed in the book!"
I like the direction this book went in after the first story, and I loved learning more about Grunhilda's pets. The humor in this book is so dark and bizarre, without being inappropriate for a general audience, and I loved it. I loved the way the book looks, and I'm glad the author went all out by making this book as disgusting and unsettling as possible.
I do think this book has better pacing than the first book in the series, but I wasn't huge on some of the story decisions. Although I thought the surgery scene was hilarious, I wasn't a big fan of that much. I also wasn't huge on the boy scout character in this book. I thought he was a bit lifeless and wasn't really that necessary.
Overall though, I do believe I liked this book just as much as the first installment of the series. It was greatly entertaining. I had some minor problems with the book, (just like the first) but I like how ambitious this book went, and I really appreciate that. I believe that this book would be very good for the demographic, and Grunhilda is a great anti-hero that I think a younger audience would like. Great book series, I would love to see more or another project from Deb Lucke!
This book continues the story of "Grunhilda" as she works as a lunch lady at Salem Elementary. It turns out that she has a little spot of niceness in her black crusted-over heart, so she might be capable of being nice. This book mainly focuses on Grunhilda's many pets and this random boy scout that comes into her life, in the hope of a badge.
This book continues with Lucke's terrifying free form artstyle, and she gets very creative with some of the drawings presented in this book. I love how absolutely unappealing these character designs are, and they really depicted a dark but humorous mood. The composition of this book is enormously creative, and the author includes some horrifying page backgrounds, (way more putrid than the first book!). Here's an example below. "This is actually printed in the book!"
I like the direction this book went in after the first story, and I loved learning more about Grunhilda's pets. The humor in this book is so dark and bizarre, without being inappropriate for a general audience, and I loved it. I loved the way the book looks, and I'm glad the author went all out by making this book as disgusting and unsettling as possible.
I do think this book has better pacing than the first book in the series, but I wasn't huge on some of the story decisions. Although I thought the surgery scene was hilarious, I wasn't a big fan of that much. I also wasn't huge on the boy scout character in this book. I thought he was a bit lifeless and wasn't really that necessary.
Overall though, I do believe I liked this book just as much as the first installment of the series. It was greatly entertaining. I had some minor problems with the book, (just like the first) but I like how ambitious this book went, and I really appreciate that. I believe that this book would be very good for the demographic, and Grunhilda is a great anti-hero that I think a younger audience would like. Great book series, I would love to see more or another project from Deb Lucke!
October 26, 2016
What can I say about Lunch Witch. This is the second in the series, and she begins by being just as cranky as usual, and mean. She puts pink erasers into the ham and beans, instead of the ham. You might think it odd to have a mean character as the protagonist, but she has one tiny bit of her heart that isn't black, so she isn't completely mean.
The whole story is how her familiars, her dog, spider and three bats, find the book of spells and try to make her completely mean, but they mess up the spell, and instead they make everyone in Salem super happy and optimistic. School is canceled, and there are parades every day.
It is a fun, weird book, and might take a little getting used to. The characters are odd, and not totally lovable, but that is just fine. I have a feeling the middle-schoolers will enjoy this strange anti-heroine.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for an honest review.
The whole story is how her familiars, her dog, spider and three bats, find the book of spells and try to make her completely mean, but they mess up the spell, and instead they make everyone in Salem super happy and optimistic. School is canceled, and there are parades every day.
It is a fun, weird book, and might take a little getting used to. The characters are odd, and not totally lovable, but that is just fine. I have a feeling the middle-schoolers will enjoy this strange anti-heroine.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for an honest review.
January 7, 2018
Rating: 3.5 STARS
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
Grunhilda is back and still seems to have her weakness - weakness of being nice. Grunhilda is a witch and her ancestors expect her to be mean. Now with Madison gone, Grunhilda decides to be mean again. Yet, she ends up writing a letter to Madison, and her pets find it. To steer her off the wrath of her ancestors, one of the pets decides to cast an evil potion. Instead they unleash a positivity potion that Grunhilda now has to correct.
In the first book I found Madison and Grunhilda endearing and liked their chemistry. I liked the story in this one too but wasn't the same without Madison. I do recommend these books to children and adults.
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
Grunhilda is back and still seems to have her weakness - weakness of being nice. Grunhilda is a witch and her ancestors expect her to be mean. Now with Madison gone, Grunhilda decides to be mean again. Yet, she ends up writing a letter to Madison, and her pets find it. To steer her off the wrath of her ancestors, one of the pets decides to cast an evil potion. Instead they unleash a positivity potion that Grunhilda now has to correct.
In the first book I found Madison and Grunhilda endearing and liked their chemistry. I liked the story in this one too but wasn't the same without Madison. I do recommend these books to children and adults.
October 30, 2016
I received a copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Grunhilda's animal familiars think that she is hiding a kind-old-lady characteristic somewhere about her personality and they make the decision to alter this by (inadvisedly) using the old lady's spell-book. Disaster ensues and with the prospect of everlasting positive vibes overtaking the town, and its up to Grunhilda and one very determined Scout to make things right and miserable again.
Even though I hadn't read the first book in this series (which is called The Lunch Witch, in case you are interested), I had absolutely no problem following the story, as this feels a bit like a standalone. Grunhilda is perfectly lovable as the cranky old witch with just a grain of love in her heart, while her collection of familiars - the irrepressible mutt, Mr Williams, straight-talking spider Louise and a collection of bats - provide alternating bouts of support, chaos and general ill-feeling. Scout, the badge-obsessed boy scout, is an unexpected and standout character, as much for his determination to legitimately achieve a badge to sew on his sash (be it a "helping old ladies" badge or a "causing everlasting negativity for a whole town badge" - he isn't fussy) as for his commitment to assisting the community (whether or not he is wanted, and however loosely the term "assisted" may be applied). I have to say I also found the ancestors pretty amusing, with their mish-mash of old-timey costumes and incessant banging on the underfloor of Grunhilda's house with broom handles.
The art style is composed of line drawings, scratchy hand-lettering and some atmospheric cardboardy highlights, and at 164 pages Lunch Witch #2 feels more substantial than many graphic novels I had read. By the end I felt like I had finished a well-developed story.
This series would best suit subversive middle graders who like a story that flips stereotypes on their heads and isn't afraid to delve into the wicked and vexatious sides of human (and witch) behaviour.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Grunhilda's animal familiars think that she is hiding a kind-old-lady characteristic somewhere about her personality and they make the decision to alter this by (inadvisedly) using the old lady's spell-book. Disaster ensues and with the prospect of everlasting positive vibes overtaking the town, and its up to Grunhilda and one very determined Scout to make things right and miserable again.
Even though I hadn't read the first book in this series (which is called The Lunch Witch, in case you are interested), I had absolutely no problem following the story, as this feels a bit like a standalone. Grunhilda is perfectly lovable as the cranky old witch with just a grain of love in her heart, while her collection of familiars - the irrepressible mutt, Mr Williams, straight-talking spider Louise and a collection of bats - provide alternating bouts of support, chaos and general ill-feeling. Scout, the badge-obsessed boy scout, is an unexpected and standout character, as much for his determination to legitimately achieve a badge to sew on his sash (be it a "helping old ladies" badge or a "causing everlasting negativity for a whole town badge" - he isn't fussy) as for his commitment to assisting the community (whether or not he is wanted, and however loosely the term "assisted" may be applied). I have to say I also found the ancestors pretty amusing, with their mish-mash of old-timey costumes and incessant banging on the underfloor of Grunhilda's house with broom handles.
The art style is composed of line drawings, scratchy hand-lettering and some atmospheric cardboardy highlights, and at 164 pages Lunch Witch #2 feels more substantial than many graphic novels I had read. By the end I felt like I had finished a well-developed story.
This series would best suit subversive middle graders who like a story that flips stereotypes on their heads and isn't afraid to delve into the wicked and vexatious sides of human (and witch) behaviour.
April 23, 2017
Nice!
June 11, 2019
I didn't like this one as much as the first but still like Grunhilda and loved that we got to see more of her familiars.
September 1, 2017
'Lunch Witch #2: Knee-Deep in Niceness' by Deb Lucke continues a story that I really liked even though I didn't read the first volume.
Grunhilda the Witch works at Salem Elementary school in the lunchroom. She starts getting letters from an ex-student, and it starts to change her into a nicer person. Her dog, Mr. Williams, decides to take drastic measures and use her forbidden spellbook. It has the opposite effect and not only makes Grunhilda nice, but the entire town of Salem. With the help of a boy scout desperate for merit badges, can Mr. Williams set things back to their gloomy normal?
I really liked this odd little graphic novel. The whole thing is presented on brown, stained paper and the color stays mainly in the dull browns and greens. I loved the boy scout and his inept attempts to help. I liked Grunhilda's odd assortment of pets, and her angry ancestors banging on her floor from down below. Grunhilda is a fun, grouchy character and I'm sure I had her as a lunch lady at my school.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Papercutz and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Grunhilda the Witch works at Salem Elementary school in the lunchroom. She starts getting letters from an ex-student, and it starts to change her into a nicer person. Her dog, Mr. Williams, decides to take drastic measures and use her forbidden spellbook. It has the opposite effect and not only makes Grunhilda nice, but the entire town of Salem. With the help of a boy scout desperate for merit badges, can Mr. Williams set things back to their gloomy normal?
I really liked this odd little graphic novel. The whole thing is presented on brown, stained paper and the color stays mainly in the dull browns and greens. I loved the boy scout and his inept attempts to help. I liked Grunhilda's odd assortment of pets, and her angry ancestors banging on her floor from down below. Grunhilda is a fun, grouchy character and I'm sure I had her as a lunch lady at my school.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Papercutz and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
August 15, 2022
Love this series!
September 20, 2016
Just got an ARC of this book, and couldn't put it down. The only weakness is that I'm not sure what age range the book is for. Some of the humor seems awfully advanced for a juvenile audience. It reminds me a bit of Roald Dahl in that way. Not entirely bad.
My own gut reaction would be to hand it to about a 5th grader and stand back, as they dive into the weird dark humor and truly strange gags. Don't give it to younger kids, or they will never eat school food again.
After the events of the first Lunch Witch book, Griselda hasn't reverted entirely to evil. Other than refusing to pay back the 37 cents she still owes a little girl from the first book, she's developed a few soft spots, although her "ham" and beans recipe should count as evil. While trying to help her to regain her evil edge, her familiars accidentally unleash a huge cloud of positivity, which of course almost ruins everything. Of course, what is a recipe for positivity doing in a book of evil spells? Amazingly, there's a reason, and it even makes sense by the end of the book.
Clever, dark and twisted, and in some ways an improvement over the first volume, because less setup is needed to continue the story.
My own gut reaction would be to hand it to about a 5th grader and stand back, as they dive into the weird dark humor and truly strange gags. Don't give it to younger kids, or they will never eat school food again.
After the events of the first Lunch Witch book, Griselda hasn't reverted entirely to evil. Other than refusing to pay back the 37 cents she still owes a little girl from the first book, she's developed a few soft spots, although her "ham" and beans recipe should count as evil. While trying to help her to regain her evil edge, her familiars accidentally unleash a huge cloud of positivity, which of course almost ruins everything. Of course, what is a recipe for positivity doing in a book of evil spells? Amazingly, there's a reason, and it even makes sense by the end of the book.
Clever, dark and twisted, and in some ways an improvement over the first volume, because less setup is needed to continue the story.
November 13, 2016
I didn't like this one as much as the first. I felt like it was harder to see a clear storyline
November 20, 2016
Grunhilda is back and this time her beloved Mr. Williams has gone too far when trying to please the ancestors!
May 12, 2017
The Lunch Witch returns in this 2016 graphic novels from Papercutz.
Grunhilda's last adventure left her heart just a little extra cheery and for a witch, that's not a good thing. Her pesky ancestors aren't happy about it and they aren't afraid to let the Lunch Witch know about it, as they constantly bang on her floor with brooms. It hopes of smoothing things over, the Lunch Witch's dog Mr. Williams tries to make her heart a little less nice. But a mistake ends up making the Lunch Witch's hometown of Salem insanely nice- including her. With the clock ticking, the ancestors and the Lunch Witch's pets must find her and reverse the spell or she and the whole city will be sickly sweet and nice forever!
Deb Lucke has struck gold again with the Lunch Witch: Knee-deep in Kindness. Her grotesque artwork, dark humor, and sense of adventure has created a world that is both fun and a little spooky. When I was a kid, there were a series of books called Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. They were tongue-in-cheek and just a tad frightening. But it was a good scary that kids in grades 3 and up. That's this series to a tee.
I've read recently that Saturday Night Live actress Kate McKinnon has been tapped to play Grunhilda in a live-action film based on the first book. I hope they keep the whimsy and charm of the books and don't turn it into another blockbusting disaster like The Grinch or the Cat In the Hat. Hopefully, they won't make it too dark for kids.
If your child are fans of Lemony Snicket or Harry Potter, then why aren't you letting them read the Lunch Witch? It's a great series that is very underrated. But that's going to chance when the movie comes out sometime next year. So, get on that band wagon today.
Grunhilda's last adventure left her heart just a little extra cheery and for a witch, that's not a good thing. Her pesky ancestors aren't happy about it and they aren't afraid to let the Lunch Witch know about it, as they constantly bang on her floor with brooms. It hopes of smoothing things over, the Lunch Witch's dog Mr. Williams tries to make her heart a little less nice. But a mistake ends up making the Lunch Witch's hometown of Salem insanely nice- including her. With the clock ticking, the ancestors and the Lunch Witch's pets must find her and reverse the spell or she and the whole city will be sickly sweet and nice forever!
Deb Lucke has struck gold again with the Lunch Witch: Knee-deep in Kindness. Her grotesque artwork, dark humor, and sense of adventure has created a world that is both fun and a little spooky. When I was a kid, there were a series of books called Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. They were tongue-in-cheek and just a tad frightening. But it was a good scary that kids in grades 3 and up. That's this series to a tee.
I've read recently that Saturday Night Live actress Kate McKinnon has been tapped to play Grunhilda in a live-action film based on the first book. I hope they keep the whimsy and charm of the books and don't turn it into another blockbusting disaster like The Grinch or the Cat In the Hat. Hopefully, they won't make it too dark for kids.
If your child are fans of Lemony Snicket or Harry Potter, then why aren't you letting them read the Lunch Witch? It's a great series that is very underrated. But that's going to chance when the movie comes out sometime next year. So, get on that band wagon today.
May 5, 2017
On a whim, I picked up Lunch Witch #2: Knee-Deep in Niceness by Deb Lucke. I was intrigued mainly by the artwork (it's a graphic novel) which at first glance seems delightfully whimsical. However, I found myself disappointed with the book overall. The story was only so-so and didn't really do it for me. I've certainly read more engaging graphic novels for this age group. Our main character, the Lunch Witch, was fairly boring. The plot was...threadbare is the only word I can think of to describe it. The highlight of the book were the pets (the bats were especially entertaining). The artwork was hit-or-miss and didn't make up for the bland storyline. I read some reviews for this book after I had finished and it seems that the consensus is that after the first book in the series (oops I started on #2) this one was a bit of a letdown. I've also just discovered that they're making a film adaptation with Kate McKinnon as the lead. Now that I'm looking forward to especially considering how the main character is depicted as such as the archetypal hag and you just know she's gonna be hilarious. With that being said, this book didn't rate higher than a 4/10 for me I'm afraid. I have no plans to continue reading anymore of the series. :-/
June 1, 2021
This was a cute second installment, but I think I still liked the original The Lunch Witch better. The plot of this one felt a little more convoluted and while I didn't exactly have trouble following it, I felt that it was a bit haphazard, which made it a little less enjoyable. Still, I found the story to be a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing Grunhilda turn "nice" for a little while. Still, I think that this book lost its focus a bit.
I saw that there is potentially a third Lunch Witch book in the works: Lunch Witch #3: "Lunch Witch in Limbo", and I remain hopeful about getting my hands on that!
I saw that there is potentially a third Lunch Witch book in the works: Lunch Witch #3: "Lunch Witch in Limbo", and I remain hopeful about getting my hands on that!
July 6, 2018
I did not know this was a book 2! It reads pretty well for just diving in (though I think some of the jokes would have landed better if I'd read the one). This feels very much like the a slightly more grown up version of the Mrs. Neslon books or Mike Thaler's Black Lagoon series. The story was more substantial than I expected, but it's the weird art that really makes this book. The line art is scratchy in a satisfyingly creepy way while the paper underneath looks like someone used a brown paper bag to wipe off a grubby picnic table, all ketchup stains and weird grease spots. It lends a delightfully disgusting air to the book that works perfectly with the vaguely nasty story. Good stuff all around.
December 31, 2017
Another hilarious romp through not-so-nasty Grunhilda the witch's life as she attempts to stamp out that little bit of niceness polluting her evil heart. As usual hijinks abound and Grunhilda and the gang go from one bizarre situation to the next, and this time it's up to Grunhilda's familiars to try to set things right...only they do the exact opposite and might have even turned Grunhilda completely good! Oh the horror! How will the gang get out of this one?
I would recommend for kids with offbeat senses of humor or for those whose favorite holiday is Halloween instead of X-mas.
I would recommend for kids with offbeat senses of humor or for those whose favorite holiday is Halloween instead of X-mas.
January 2, 2020
Second in a series, this is sure cute. It's a kid's graphic novel, so not super deep or anything but it is about a witch who is fairly good at being mean but is also nice sometimes, because she can't help it. And boy howdy, do her ancestors hate that.
The story is pretty fun (so was the first one). The book design is amazing. The pages are printed to look dirty and wrinkled. In the first book, there was a page with ketchup on it. This one has artifacts, too. Overall, it is a little dark, so a bit hard to read the images. But the art style is enjoyable and energetic.
The story is pretty fun (so was the first one). The book design is amazing. The pages are printed to look dirty and wrinkled. In the first book, there was a page with ketchup on it. This one has artifacts, too. Overall, it is a little dark, so a bit hard to read the images. But the art style is enjoyable and energetic.
February 20, 2017
Lots of kids think the lunch lady is a witch...but what if....she really was? And what if she accidentally created beautiful happiness all over Salem, and her dog ran away, and her bats flew away, and she had to find her blackest black heart again while fighting off a boy scout set on earning lots of badges? What if....
January 12, 2017
Such a cute, funny graphic novel, and with heart! Enjoyed this one just as much as (maybe more so than) the first Lunch Witch book. Random humor, crude drawings and a dog that looks like my dog (bonus). Hope that Lucke comes out with a 3rd Lunch Witch.
February 7, 2018
Poor Grunhilda's black heart has a soft spot for her former student and that's no good for a witch. Her loyal pets try to help and make things worse, but when they leave our witch misses them so. Her hilarious journey and run ins with an overly helpful scout make this and excellent sequel.
January 29, 2020
Grunhilda's adventure continues. This really is a lovely book, and very cheerful with a mix of the most unlikley characters. Mr. Williams and Louise the spider are great too.
Where were books like this when I was a kid? I guess I get to be a kid again.
Where were books like this when I was a kid? I guess I get to be a kid again.
July 6, 2021
Not as good as the first one and I was surprised to find out her young mentor had moved away. I think their dynamic is what made the first one so special. Her connection with the Boy Scout is fine but it just isn't the same.
April 8, 2023
The writing truly shows the character's personality. It helps distinguish character from character. Although, I did find some sentences confusing. This was a fast and fun read. For all ages too, I believe.
The illustrations are perfect. I LOVE the style. Will surely buy the other book.
The illustrations are perfect. I LOVE the style. Will surely buy the other book.
July 24, 2017
Besides the talking spider and bats, it lacked a lot of charm that the first one had.
November 29, 2017
Friendship, world domination, Et. My thing! i like it LOLLLL
December 14, 2017
Great illustrations! The story was mediocre. Maybe I should read #1 first and then report back!
June 4, 2018
Nice continuation of the series. I like that we get to spend more time with the pets in this volume.
May 29, 2019
Can't go wrong serving up a lunch lady book!
July 22, 2019
3 stars for story, which was often confusing. 4 for the art which was always wonderfully creepy and odd.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews