The first graphic novel in a series, the story centers around Fangbone, a young barbarian who offers to defend Skullbania (his homeland) from the evildoer, Venomous Drool. To defend his homeland, he must travel through time and through magical forces he is transported to Eastside Elementary school, where he is put to the unexpected task of learning in a classroom setting. Fear not... Skullbania will not be defeated while Fangbone is around to protect it, but then again, Fangbone is stuck in classroom 3G. Fangbone becomes friends with several of his classmates who help him in his quest to protect his homeland.

Marissa B. / Marathon County Public Library
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Add another fan of Fangbone to the stack. Irreverent and fantastical with positive messages about friendship, accepting difference, and fighting the demons together. ( )

GOOD

I like fangbone because he was forced to do what every barbarian said and after a while he stands up for him and he says no to the king and he tell the king to do his own stuff himself and he says that one day I will get a big army and the kings start laughing and they say you will get a army of tiny people like you and he gets mad and he says that my army will help us more and they are going to be so strong then your army so this book is more about violence

Fangbone! Third-Grade Barbarian by Michael Rex is the start of a graphic novel series about a young barbarian sent to Earth to find an army and to keep a magical toe bone safe.

The primitive in the future type story is nothing new. Think of Fangbone as Encino Man or Hercules in New York for the elementary set. Fangbone, though young, is a competent warrior and, oddly, a people person.

Fangbone ends up in modern day, at an elementary school. Since's he's not prepared — doesn't know the culture, can't read, is dressed in fur underwear — he's sent to the special class. Remarkably, he fits right in.

It's a cute book and was nominated for a CYBILS. The artwork is silly — similar to the Lunch Lady or Captain Underpants books. It's also a quick read. There are two more books in the series and I plan to read them. ( )