Book Series · 10 Books

Lunch Lady Books

In order from Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute to Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle.

A fast, funny graphic-novel series about a school lunch lady who uses food-themed spy gadgets to protect students and stop over-the-top villains.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 11, 2026

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta

Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown

Reading order

How to Read the Lunch Lady Books

Read the ten numbered books in order, beginning with Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute and ending with Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle. Each book has its own school mystery, but the student friendships and recurring villains make publication order the most satisfying route.

These are short, heavily illustrated graphic novels rather than prose chapter books. There are no separate companion volumes to place between the numbered adventures.

Sources: Penguin Random House's official Lunch Lady series page.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The stories include cartoon spy fights, robots, monsters, kidnappings, school threats, and children in brief danger. The action stays playful rather than graphic, with food puns and exaggerated gadgets keeping the tone light.

Bullying, name-calling, and unfair adults appear alongside themes of friendship, courage, and standing up for classmates. The compact format can be especially inviting for children building confidence with longer graphic novels.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$674

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2009

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

By Jarrett J. Krosoczka

A substitute teacher is suspected of being a robot and a group of kids investigate, leading to a showdown with the Lunch Lady, who fights crime, and an evil plot to replace teachers with robots.

96 pages· 1,844 words· Est. 28 min read

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Hector, Terrence, and Dee are curious about their mysterious school lunch lady. When she's not serving meals, she's battling crime! As danger looms, can the Lunch Lady protect the school with her secret skills? Discover the unexpected hero behind the cafeteria counter and the thrilling adventures that await. What secrets does she hide, and how will her double life unfold?

In reading order

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2010

A school's bake sale is sabotaged, and it's up to Lunch Lady and the Breakfast Bunch to solve the mystery and save the day

#6 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$759

Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2011

A group of kids and their lunch lady go on a field trip to an art museum where they uncover a conspiracy involving fake artwork

#7 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$674

Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2012

A group of students forms a math team and uncovers a sinister plot by their competitors to cheat and win a championship.

#8 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$759

Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2012

A school photographer scams students out of their money, and it's up to the Lunch Lady and her friends to stop her.

#9 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$759

Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2013

A student council election heats up when a tech thief starts stealing gadgets from students and staff, and the main character must navigate the campaign while solving the mystery.

#10

#10 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$759

Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2014

A group of students and their lunch lady must stop a corrupt superintendent from destroying the moon using a laser built on the school's roof

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Lunch Lady series?

There are 10 books in the Lunch Lady series. It began with Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute in 2009, and the newest book, Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle, was published in 2014.

What order should you read the Lunch Lady books in?

Start with Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #10.

What ages are the Lunch Lady books best for?

The series is best for ages 7–10, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

Which Lunch Lady book is the longest?

Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain (Book #9) is the longest book in the series at 2,825 words (96 pages).

Which Lunch Lady book is the shortest?

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute (Book #1) is the shortest at 1,844 words (96 pages).

The people

The Creative Behind the Books

The people who bring Lunch Lady to life.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Author & Illustrator

Keep exploring

Similar Series

Lunch Lady Books

How to Read the Lunch Lady Books

What Parents Should Know

First Book in the Series

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Lunch Lady Series

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta

Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit

Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco

Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes

Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril

Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain

Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle

Common Questions

How many books are in the Lunch Lady series?

What order should you read the Lunch Lady books in?

What ages are the Lunch Lady books best for?

Which Lunch Lady book is the longest?

Which Lunch Lady book is the shortest?

The Creative Behind the Books

Jarrett J. Krosoczka

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