3 QUESTIONS FOR TOM ANGLEBERGER

TOM ANGLEBERGER
The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda

What made you choose a kid like Dwight to be the voice of Origami Yoda?

Well, Dwight and I have a lot in common if you know what I mean....

Which of the boys, Tommy or Dwight, do you have the most in common with?

Dwight. Tommy turned out to be a lot cooler than I was!

When you were a kid, who was your favorite mystery detective?

The Blackhand Gang! Remember them? Scholastic only put out one book and I cherished that book!

But when I did need a new book, I often reached for a new Three Investigators. I LOVED Jupiter Jones... and in fact he has some similarities to Dwight, perhaps.

BOOK REVIEW: THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA

THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA

THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA

Tom Angleberger

Abrams

2010

Available: Hardcopy, paperback, Kindle, audio

Tommy, a sixth grader at Mcquarrie Middle School, is all about figuring things out. Like girls, being cool, and whether or not Dwight's origami Yoda finger puppet can predict the future and give sage advice. The problem is that Dwight is weird. Dorky weird, as in wearing the same T-shirt everyday for a month kind of weird. Most of the time Dwight seems totally clueless, so how can his origami finger puppet be so wise? It's a real mystery and Tommy is determined to find out because he needs advice he can trust. Advice about a "girl." Advice, that if he takes it, won't make him look like an idiot. He decides to put together a case file on all the advice Origami Yoda has given to determine if the finger puppet's advice really works.

This was a fun read. The chapters are short. The characters are believable. The issues raised about sixth grade are on the surface silly, but at the same time reveal some of the angst tweens face without being preachy. Boys and girls will love it.

Target audience: Grades 4-6

Mystery/suspense: Silly & fun

Kid appeal: Boys especially will like this