abstract_amber77's review against another edition
5.0
I am really enjoying this series with my kids. It seems the author has a political agenda regarding education, one that ridicules standardized tests and the elimination of the arts in our school. It's an agenda I happen to agree with, so this makes me happy. One of the main characters, Dwight, is often described with characteristics that match the typical symptoms of autism. His personality is celebrated in this book, which is another great trait of this story. In general the book celebrates unique personalities. As with the two books before it, I highly recommend reading this with your children, especially if they are Star Wars fans.
jbojkov's review against another edition
4.0
Love this series! Normally, as a librarian, I will only read the first one or two books of a series just to get a feel for readers advisory, but I can't stop with this one! Love the Star Wars aspect and the origami!
yanulya's review against another edition
3.0
it annoyed me, but it was pretty funny & the 7-year old adored it.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
I swear these just keep getting better. The current crisis at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School is... how will everyone get by without the guidance of Origami Yoda, now that Dwight has transferred to fancy Tippett Academy? And by the way, what is going ON with Dwight? Reports are filtering in that he is no longer digging holes and sitting in them, speaks in complete sentences, and, strangest of all, has stopped bringing Origami Yoda to school!
While Origami Yoda was about accepting and appreciating Dwight and his weirdness, and Darth Paper was about accepting - while not exactly appreciating - Harvey's oblivious jerkiness, each book also has seen the kids gradually gaining consciousness of how their actions affect other people. The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee continues this progress, in a way that I can't reveal without spoiling the Fortune Wookiee's actual Secret.
All this growth in emotional intelligence is delivered in a way that is subtle as hell, though, and conveyed with so much humor that no child will put down this book feeling like he has been Shown How To Be A Better Person.
BONUS: Han Foldo
SEQUEL I CAN'T WAIT FOR: At the end of Fortune Wookiee, we get some big news about big changes afoot at McQuarrie Middle, and I am going to LOVE seeing Tommy, Kellen, Sara, Rhondella, Harvey, Quavondo, Cassie, Remi, Amy, Tater Tot, Lance, Dwight, and even stuck-up Brianna band together to take down the Evil Teaching To the Test Curriculum. I also can't wait to see the Star Wars puns Tom Angleberger will come up with for standardized testing.
While Origami Yoda was about accepting and appreciating Dwight and his weirdness, and Darth Paper was about accepting - while not exactly appreciating - Harvey's oblivious jerkiness, each book also has seen the kids gradually gaining consciousness of how their actions affect other people. The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee continues this progress, in a way that I can't reveal without spoiling the Fortune Wookiee's actual Secret.
All this growth in emotional intelligence is delivered in a way that is subtle as hell, though, and conveyed with so much humor that no child will put down this book feeling like he has been Shown How To Be A Better Person.
BONUS: Han Foldo
SEQUEL I CAN'T WAIT FOR: At the end of Fortune Wookiee, we get some big news about big changes afoot at McQuarrie Middle, and I am going to LOVE seeing Tommy, Kellen, Sara, Rhondella, Harvey, Quavondo, Cassie, Remi, Amy, Tater Tot, Lance, Dwight, and even stuck-up Brianna band together to take down the Evil Teaching To the Test Curriculum. I also can't wait to see the Star Wars puns Tom Angleberger will come up with for standardized testing.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
I can already see the wait list for this book. Buy multiple copies.
sngick's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite in the series so far! Lots of fun but with great lessons for kids. Looking forward to sharing with students.
kallbri's review against another edition
5.0
The perspectives of the ever-evolving middle school children are always fun to read. This book was an especially good read because of the links to education. Common Core is looming and many people do not have a good grasp of what all it entails. The next book in the series is sure to show the importance of electives in school.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Another great installment in the Origami Yoda series! Dwight has moved to Tripett Academy, and things are not the same without him. Can Sara fill the void with the Fortune Wookie and Hans Foldo? The advice they give doesn't sound like anything Origami Yoda would say, but it seems to be good advice nonetheless. Things are not going well for Dwight (or are they?) -- he won't contact his friends and he seems way too normal. Join Tommy, Kellen, Harvey, and Sara as they try to make sense of middle school, this time with the help of a Fortune Wookie.
Note: Although the covers make these books appeal to 1st and 2nd grade Star Wars lovers, they really are about middle school friendship issues. I recommend them for 4th grade and up.
Note: Although the covers make these books appeal to 1st and 2nd grade Star Wars lovers, they really are about middle school friendship issues. I recommend them for 4th grade and up.
orangerful's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one a lot better than 'Darth Paper', which I felt was sorta mean when it came to the kid's attacking poor Dwight. 'Fortune Wookiee' is a lot more fun as the kids try to figure out how Dwight is doing at the Tippet Academy (I love all the in-jokes for Star Wars fans). I also love that the creator of the Fortune Wookiee and Han Foldo is a girl. :)
Be warned, this ends on a cliffhanger!!
Be warned, this ends on a cliffhanger!!