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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
It's true, Robot Dreams is awesome. Loved this even more than Origami Yoda, I think!
It is true that Tom Angleberger has a “proven knack for humorously exploring the intrigues, fads, and dramas of middle school.” In this wonderful sequel to The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back features girlfriend angst, dating, video game criticism, electives, fund-raising, that annoying kid, body odor, and cafeteria food. It addresses that feeling of helplessness in an environment that seems only to take things away. Without the provision of a platform for protest, solutions (options), or compromise, Tommy and others find a voice and a way in and around the system. Darth Paper does this with a lot of humor, of course.
Like the Origami Yoda, Darth Paper is told via an opening and closing narratives with stories (“cases”) sandwiched in between. Where the first book would explore the authenticity of Dwight’s claims that Origami Yoda is for real, this case file sets out to argue for the strange paper-folding Dwight’s place at McQuarrie Middle School. Again there are stories by various narrators whom Angleberger captures and maintains consistency with enviable ease. Kellen provides the drawings, and even Harvey manages to add his two cents to every entry. The book, too, would illustrate the value even the annoying jerks might have.
And of course, there is the return of Star Wars references and themes. While I don’t think you can enjoy book one without having seen any of the Star Wars films/stories, pop culture being what it is, I think fans will find even greater wit and charm in Darth Paper, especially the dark origami finger puppets quotes.
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Origami Yoda provides oft cryptic answers to the most pressing questions, and the way the said answers play out create wonderful intrigue, but also space for creative problem-solving. This should never be phrased this way when handing this book to a middle-schooler. Angleberger has brilliantly realized a venue. His books are a place for readers to commiserate, laugh, and remember their own potential without making the book into another steeply dramatic exploratory scenario realist fiction.
I like Angleberger’s solutions, some yet open-ended, others in the form of a nicely placed resurrection of old pencil war games, I mean, in the form of seeking out a nice teacher (because they do exist) for help finding solutions to your problems. Primarily it is the book’s playful yet serious engagement in conversations intelligent and passionate young people are having; ones they should have some encouragement vocalizing to the powers that be. If anything, it is good practice for all the other authoritative institutions they will grow up to encounter. Am I hinting at some healthy subversive tone in Darth Paper? Yes. Jimmy Gownley’s wondermous series Amelia Rules! was happily recalled. I would give these as a boxed set.
And speaking of comics (long or otherwise), Tommy gifts his love interest with Robot Dreams by Sara Varon. You could read the placement into the story, but I was just giddy to see its mention. Just go ahead and hand your son or daughter Robot Dreams when you give them Darth Paper Strikes Back. If either you and/or the middle-school aged person in your life haven’t even read The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, then I suggest you remedy this immediately. Tom Angleberger and his novels really are just too fantastic to miss.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/darth-paper-strikes-back/
Like the Origami Yoda, Darth Paper is told via an opening and closing narratives with stories (“cases”) sandwiched in between. Where the first book would explore the authenticity of Dwight’s claims that Origami Yoda is for real, this case file sets out to argue for the strange paper-folding Dwight’s place at McQuarrie Middle School. Again there are stories by various narrators whom Angleberger captures and maintains consistency with enviable ease. Kellen provides the drawings, and even Harvey manages to add his two cents to every entry. The book, too, would illustrate the value even the annoying jerks might have.
And of course, there is the return of Star Wars references and themes. While I don’t think you can enjoy book one without having seen any of the Star Wars films/stories, pop culture being what it is, I think fans will find even greater wit and charm in Darth Paper, especially the dark origami finger puppets quotes.
***********
Origami Yoda provides oft cryptic answers to the most pressing questions, and the way the said answers play out create wonderful intrigue, but also space for creative problem-solving. This should never be phrased this way when handing this book to a middle-schooler. Angleberger has brilliantly realized a venue. His books are a place for readers to commiserate, laugh, and remember their own potential without making the book into another steeply dramatic exploratory scenario realist fiction.
I like Angleberger’s solutions, some yet open-ended, others in the form of a nicely placed resurrection of old pencil war games, I mean, in the form of seeking out a nice teacher (because they do exist) for help finding solutions to your problems. Primarily it is the book’s playful yet serious engagement in conversations intelligent and passionate young people are having; ones they should have some encouragement vocalizing to the powers that be. If anything, it is good practice for all the other authoritative institutions they will grow up to encounter. Am I hinting at some healthy subversive tone in Darth Paper? Yes. Jimmy Gownley’s wondermous series Amelia Rules! was happily recalled. I would give these as a boxed set.
And speaking of comics (long or otherwise), Tommy gifts his love interest with Robot Dreams by Sara Varon. You could read the placement into the story, but I was just giddy to see its mention. Just go ahead and hand your son or daughter Robot Dreams when you give them Darth Paper Strikes Back. If either you and/or the middle-school aged person in your life haven’t even read The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, then I suggest you remedy this immediately. Tom Angleberger and his novels really are just too fantastic to miss.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/darth-paper-strikes-back/
4.5 stars! Darth Paper Strikes back, like Empire Strikes Back, builds and exceeds on the original. Now the characters have moved on to 7th grade. Origami Yoda is back and now having to a battle Darth Paper. Creative, silly, and imaginative. Wish I had an origami Yoda in my life.
Again, probably would have been much better if I were an eight-year-old boy. Not sorry I read them, somewhat clever series,just need a little more...
I really enjoyed Origami Yoda, but I think I actually enjoyed this one more. A ton of fun, with a lot more heart and a more evolved plot, and just friendly overall to everything it tries to be. I can't exactly say anything revolutionary about it except that I wish more middle grade books tried harder to be like these books.
These books destroy me. They're so hilarious! That being said, I have some words for the teachers and principal in these books now that I am reading them with a little perspective of adulthood and teaching middle school: what the heck. These teachers, and especially the principal, are AWFUL. They send kids to in-school suspension for literally no reason. The principal is bound and determined to send the school's "odd kid" to a disciplinary school because he's weird instead of providing a good education for him. The principal and teachers care more about test scores than the students. Really, the school's staff in this book needs serious help.
Origami Yoda, book two.
The kids at McQuarrie Middle school are starting 7th grade and, thanks to Yoda's advice, they are convinced it's going to be a great year. Unfortunately, Dwight's nemesis, Harvey, has his own finger puppet--Darth Paper. Are Harvey and Darth Paper drawing on the power of the Dark Side to get Dwight expelled and destroy his friends' whole year? Read the latest case file to find out!
An excellent choice for middle grade readers looking for a good laugh.
The kids at McQuarrie Middle school are starting 7th grade and, thanks to Yoda's advice, they are convinced it's going to be a great year. Unfortunately, Dwight's nemesis, Harvey, has his own finger puppet--Darth Paper. Are Harvey and Darth Paper drawing on the power of the Dark Side to get Dwight expelled and destroy his friends' whole year? Read the latest case file to find out!
An excellent choice for middle grade readers looking for a good laugh.
You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black
You always have that one kid who has to ruin the fun for everyone. I loved how all the kids have to come together. Even though, things don’t always work out, I loved how these kids learned so many great messages- Kindness, understanding, working together, & being open minded.
You always have that one kid who has to ruin the fun for everyone. I loved how all the kids have to come together. Even though, things don’t always work out, I loved how these kids learned so many great messages- Kindness, understanding, working together, & being open minded.
I'm finally getting around to reading this book because it was never available in my classroom library during the school year. =) As with Origami Yoda, this book is set up as a case file with different chapters written by the different students at McQuarrie Middle School with additional commentary from Tommy and Harvey, and doodles from Kellen. Dwight is back with Origami Yoda, but this time he has a nemesis- Harvey's Darth Paper. The voices of the characters are authentic, the humor is laugh-out-loud funny, and there is real heart to the story.