The Strange Case of Origami Yoda [Hardcover]

Tom Angleberger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010 | Age Range: 8 and up | Series: Origami Yoda | Lexile Measure: 760L (What's this?)

In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, he assembles the case file that forms this novel.

 

F&P Level: T
F&P Genre: RF

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—For Tommy, the only question is whether or not Origami Yoda is real. Of course he's real as a small puppet on Dwight's finger. But does the oracle possess magic power? In order to find out, he decides to compile scientific evidence from the experiences of those who asked Origami Yoda for help. His friend Harvey is invited to comment on each story because he thinks Yoda is nothing but a "green paper wad." Tommy also comments because he's supposedly trying to solve the puzzle. In actuality, the story is about boys and girls in sixth grade trying to figure out how being social works. In fact, Tommy says, "…it's about this really cool girl, Sara, and whether or not I should risk making a fool of myself for her." The situations that Yoda has a hand in are pretty authentic, and the setting is broad enough to be any school. The plot is age-old but with the twist of being presented on crumpled pages with cartoon sketches, supposed hand printing, and varying typefaces. Kids should love it.—Sheila Fiscus, Our Lady of Peace School, Erie, PA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Tommy and his friends think that Dwight is a weirdo who’s “always talking about robots or spiders or something.” In true Dwight fashion, he shows up at school one day brandishing a little origami Yoda finger puppet. The really weird thing is that it doles out very un-Dwight-like bits of wisdom, and the mystery is whether the Yoda is just Dwight talking in a funny voice or if it actually has mystical powers. The book is structured as a collection of stories gathered by Tommy and told by kids who either believe or don’t. See, Tommy has a more vested interest than just idle curiosity—he is dying to know if he can trust Yoda’s advice about asking the cute girl to dance with him at the PTA Fun Night. Origami Yoda—a sort of talking cootie catcher—is the kind of thing that can dominate all those free moments in school for a few weeks. Angleberger’s rendering of such a middle-grade cultural obsession is not only spot-on but also reveals a few resonant surprises hidden in the folds. Naturally, Yoda-making instructions are included. Grades 4-6. --Ian Chipman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Amulet Books; First Edition edition (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810984253
• ISBN-13: 978-0810984257
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (135 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Activities & Toys
  • #64 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > School

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Flamingnet.com Top Choice Book-I was really captured by this book. March 6, 2010

By Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews

Format:Hardcover

Imagine yourself, a loser in middle school with loser
friends. At every opportunity to get the girl you like to
like you, it never happens. But that might all change.

When Tommy sees the finger puppet of Yoda that that
loser Dwight has on his finger, it seems ordinary. Same
old origami, same good origami it's the same as always.
But when origami Yoda starts to give people advice, good
advice, things change. Since Dwight is such a loser, his
advice should be bad too, right? But Yoda's advice is,
well, Yoda-like. When Tommy starts to think about asking
a girl to a dance, he isn't sure. So by putting together
the case of Origami Yoda, he must come to a conclusion: is
Yoda for real?

I think that this book was good. I also
think that the author expressed each character
individually. I loved how each case file was written in
first person by different people. I was really captured
by this book. I also think that it should be a series.
This book really makes you want to pick it up and never
put it down.

Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
Flamingnet Book Reviews
Teen books reviewed by teen reviewers

85 of 100 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Vastly entertaining... but... August 28, 2010

By M. Heiss

Format:Hardcover

Tom Angleberger gets the relationships of boys-not-yet-men exactly right. The self-consciousness, the silliness, the high-strung emotions, the intense wanting to be grown-up, the embarrassment, the awkwardness, how hard it is to avoid taking the easy way out, and how loyalty to your friends is the right thing.

This is a book about friendship and loyalty, with a great plot about "will he ask the girl to dance?" And a surprising finger puppet who knows all the answers.

Great on plot and characterization -- marvelous side doodles and illustrations that go with the case file. Directions for making Origami Yoda at home.

Now the bad news. Fart-face. Scared the bejeezus out of me. Crap. You're an idiot. I'm an idiot. You're a moron. You're a jerk. You're stupid. He's a loser. You're a loser. You're so stupid. I'm a loser. You weirdo. Bejeezus.

My family of boys ranges in age all the way down to kindergarten. What big brother reads, little brother repeats. Do I want to sanction these words? Three stars.

Update -- try "The Qwikpick Adventure Society" by Sam Riddleburger. Funny book, similar journaling style, more wholesome (although it features poop as the main part of the adventure.)

Update -- The follow on book, "Darth Paper," is almost entirely free of the objectionable language in this book. Well done, Mr. Angleberger!

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book you must, enjoy it you shall! March 31, 2010

By Earl

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had originally seen this while walking through a Barnes and Noble and remembered it later (being a Star Wars fan with an 11 year-old daughter). I purchased it for her here on Amazon and she was very excited to read it. Once she finished she insisted I read it as well. I can't tell you how glad I am to have stumbled upon this book - what a FUN read!

The book has a really sharp design throughout - I love the illustrations and all the little details - not only do they capture the characters in the book but there are more than a few funny Star Wars references that fans will delight in. As for the writing and story I was captivated from the moment I picked it up. Having a 6th grader, I can truly say that the author has captured the essence of their unique personalities and place in life so well. While there is some character exaggeration that adds to the frivolity of the book, the heart of the characters all ring true and I could place many of my daughter's friends right in the shoes and voice of many of those characters. I laughed out loud several times reading the book - the humor is so warm and sweet and funny.

This is a great book for anyone with a child around middle school age, or even an adult Star Wars fan looking for a really fun book to add to their collection. Both my daughter and I hope that the author revisits these characters - we can't wait for more adventures of Dwight and his Origami Yoda!