Series Pick: The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett (An Origami Yoda book)

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett (An Origami Yoda book)
by Tom Angleberger
Amulet
2013
208 pages with origami instructions

Clever, cute, whimsical, and winsome, The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett proves that Tom Angleberger knows what kids like! The Star Wars/origami mash-up has been a huge hit with the middle grade crowds, and Angleberger's antics appeal to this demographic.

The kids at at McQuarrie Middle School are eagerly awaiting the return of Dwight and wondering if he has given up Origami Yoda. Tommy is concerned with what "Fun-Time" is and why Principal Rabbski is so excited about the coming changes. The kids don't have to wait long to find out that all their fun electives have been cancelled due to low test scores. Now, the kids will be watching dull videos of Professor FunTime and Gizmo the Calculator dancing around and singing their FunTime song. The kids will do hours of worksheets until their brains turn to mush. Tommy and friends are horrified! They turn to Dwight and Origami Yoda for guidance.

Yoda (speaking through Dwight) tells them they must launch a campaign against the evil empire...the kids decide to tell Principal Rabbski that they won't pass their tests unless...the electives are reinstated. Tommy comments that going along with Funtime is, "...like helping the Empire build their Death Star." Kellen wonders what would happen if all the kids took the state test using #1 lead pencils instead of #2? "Would it blow up their computer or something?"

Every kid who has ever taken a standardized test or had a "FunTime" type of program drilled into their brains day in, day out will see the humor of this book. Every teacher who has worried and lost sleep over her/his students' scores and performance will laugh through their tears as they read Jabba the Puppett.

When the parents meet with the principal, the Empire is defeated. Tommy, Dwight, Kellen and the rest have followers among the faculty they never even knew existed.

Highly, highly recommended for everyone! Origami instructions included. Fans of the series will love this latest installment.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

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