The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee

January 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-In this humorous installment (Amulet Books, 2012) of Angleberger's popular "Origami Yoda" series, Dwight is suspended and the students of McQuarry Middle School miss their favorite oddball. Without Dwight, there's no Origami Yoda to help them with their problems, and the principal wants to ban all origami from her halls. However, Sara receives a gift from Dwight in the form of a paper cootie catcher, or fortune wookie-an origami Chewbacca that offers sage advice to the students. Meanwhile "Dwight-sightings" have the kids worried as reports come in saying that their friend has been seen acting way too normal in his new school, and the kids fear they may never see Origami Yoda again. Performed by various narrators, the ensemble cast accurately delivers snarky middle-school humor and angst. When the wookie bellows in its incomprehensible way and Han Foldo interprets with his trademark sarcasm, the narrator manages to sound convincingly like the Star Wars characters. This wonderful addition to the series will be enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with the previous titles.-Sandi Jones, Augusta High School, AR

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 6, 2012
The seventh graders of McQuarrie Middle School are back—except for Dwight, creator of the original Origami Yoda, who is stuck at nearby Tippett Academy after getting suspended in Darth Paper Strikes Back. But the kids still need wise, Star Warsâthemed advice, and thus the Fortune Wookiee is born. (In one of the funniest gags, the paper Chewbacca's fortunes consist of variations on "MMGGGGHHHRRRRR," requiring translation from a second puppet, Han Foldo.) As with the previous books, this story's greatest strength lies in the way Angleberger develops, distinguishes, and humanizes the main characters, who take turns narrating in chapters brought to life with a variety of typefaces and scrawled cartoon marginalia. From Kellen's romantic cluelessness and Sara's savvy to some poignant material about Dwight, who isn't doing as well at Tippett as he would have his friends believe, Angleberger shows an uncommon ability to get into the heads and hearts of middle-schoolers, while keeping humor at the forefront. Plans for a fourth book appear to be underway: as Origami Yoda puts it, "A great battle ahead I sense." Ages 8-12. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.