Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda Books #2)

Tommy, Dwight, and the rest of their friends from The Strange Case of Origami Yoda are back, and so is Dwight's wise, eponymous finger puppet, Origami Yoda, who has also transitioned to seventh grade. But Dwight's (and Origami Yoda's) days are numbered, as complaints about Dwight's behavior may lead to his being sent to a school for troubled youth. Following the format of the first book, Tommy and his friends compile episodic accounts that attest to Dwight/Origami Yoda's wisdom in dealing with problems that range from a classmate with terrible body odor to getting out of selling collectible popcorn tins for a school fundraiser. But antagonistic classmate Harvey, who has taken to wearing a Darth Paper finger puppet, is slowly turning the class toward the Dark Side. As with this story's predecessor, the well-observed middle-school dynamics (and Angleberger's sharp sense of humor) are greatly amplified by the book's design, which includes faux wrinkled pages, abundant doodles, and other scrawled marginalia. It's a natural step up from the Wimpy Kid series, with more text and narrative complexity, but just as much on-target humor and all-around fun. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)

Gr 3-6--Like The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Abrams, 2010), this book is honest, funny, and immensely entertaining. The story again revolves around Dwight and his advice-dispensing finger puppet, Origami Yoda. Tommy, Dwight, and the rest of the crew are back for seventh grade at McQuarrie Middle School. The promising year takes a turn for the worse when Dwight is suspended, drawing suspicions that Harvey and his rival finger puppet, Darth Paper, are responsible. Origami Yoda's last piece of advice to Tommy is to create a file to present to the school board to keep Dwight from getting kicked out for good. The chapters are narrated by a variety of characters, each building the case in support of Dwight and Origami Yoda. The illustrations and design will engage readers, with pages made to look like those from an actual case file and black-and-white doodles filling the margins. Based on the positive reception Origami Yoda has received, kids will be clamoring for this sequel. They won't be disappointed.--Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI