The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

I love this series. They just contain some of the best writing for kids and adults out there. The stories are humorous and touching, and magical. Something rare that I can't find any flaws in, and which I don't want to because I love them.

I have shared this series with my son. (My daughter prefers to closet herself away and enjoy them by herself.) We read them together and laugh. And we discuss what's going on and how we feel about how the different characters choose to act.

In this book, we're introduced to Tommy and Dwight and the rest of the gang. And the best way to describe the essence of the book, without giving any spoilers, is to say that Dwight doesn't talk much unless he's got origami Yoda on his finger. And when he does that, show more he isn't really talking as Dwight so much, as the venerable Jedi. Or so it seems.

Yoda's cryptic wisdom makes this story shear magic. My boy and I HIGHLY recommend the series. It's one of my favorites.

Pam T~
mom/fur-mom show less

In a time not too long ago and in a galaxy located somewhere in the American Southeast,* there was a boy named Dwight, an incredibly unpopular boy adrift in a benighted middle school (as if there is any other kind). Like so many unpopular kids in middle school/junior high, Dwight doesn’t get the social cues that other students inherently absorb and/or simply marches to his own drummer. And in the sixth grade, what crime is greater than being different — or really smart or passionate or artistic or kind-hearted or shy? The idiosyncrasies that will make for a creative and remarkable adult simply appear as unforgiveable faux pas amongst 12-year-olds.

But one day, Dwight introduces Origami Yoda, who acts as oracle amongst McQuarrie show more Middle School sixth- and seventh-graders. Dwight’s friend — and I use the word loosely — Tommy is stumped about Dwight’s finger puppet and constant companion. How can Origami Yoda be so prescient if Dwight himself is the class’s most clueless member? The book begins with Tommy writing:

The big question: Is Origami Yoda real?

Well, of course, he’s real. He’s a real finger puppet made out of a real piece of paper.

But I mean: Is he REAL? Does he really know things? Can he see the future? Does he use the force?

Or is he just a hoax that’s fooled a whole bunch of us at McQuarrie Middle School?

So Tommy compiles a collection of case studies to verify whether Origami Yoda is the real deal. These tales are humorous and at times — as Futurama would put it — touchingly pathetic. And the book features a cross-section of middle-school sub-cliques: sci-fi geeks, popular kids, jocks, clueless bullies, mean girls, the know-it-all snarky, and quiet, shy kids. And with each tale, we get a closer glimpse at Dwight, who, at first glance, appeared to be the most dimwitted and socially inept sixth-grader ever.

Aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds, Origami Yoda would thrill the heart of any adult who still remembers longings, confusion, stinging embarrassments, sorrows, and too-brief joys of middle school. I enjoyed the audiobook edition (barely over two hours of pure pleasure) which features an entire cast of narrators who make the book unforgettable. But those who read the Kindle or paperback editions will get the benefit of author Tom Angleberger’s delightful illustrations. A hard choice, indeed!

You can read to discover Tommy’s final scientific conclusion about Origami Yoda; however, as far as I’m concerned, Origami Yoda is REAL. And Dwight is a real treasure. I can hardly wait to start the sequel, Darth Paper Strikes Back.

* The grocery chain Food Lion, located in 11 states in the Southeast, is mentioned in Origami Yoda. show less

We can NOT keep these books on our shelves, and the second book, Darth Paper Strikes Back is a current Colorado Children's Book Award nominee, so I checked out the first one to see what all the fuss is about. I like the appealing format: Tommy is conducting a case study to try to determine if Origami Yoda is for real. Other 6th grade classmates contribute their personal stories of advice received from Origami Yoda; his friend Harvey, who thinks it's a bunch of nonsense comments on every entry in the spirit of impartiality; and friend Kellen adds humorous doodles. Origami Yoda is the creation of classmate Dwight, and therein lies the problem. Yoda dispenses uncannily good (if syntactically-challenged a la Yoda) advice, but Yoda is an show more origami finger puppet worn and voiced by Dwight, who is the strangest, oddest, biggest mess of a kid in the whole school. The one who spends his afternoons digging huge holes and then sitting in them; the one who fails the pop quiz Origami Yoda accurately predicts, saving those whom he forewarned; the one who wears the barf-green sweater-vest with pink puffballs on it; and the one who sprayed juice all over a batch of cupcakes being served to the class as a birthday treat. The undercurrent is the uniquely middle school social structure of this group of kids -- figuring out when it's okay to be unique, to try new things, and learning what makes a good friend.

Angleberger, T. & Rosenstock, J. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books. show less

I guess I should have known this would be super funny based on the number of kids I see reading it. This one is an absolute must for reluctant readers. I'm on a roll this week seeking out the best of the reluctant reader books for tweens, and this one is somewhere in the top 5.

Tommy is trying to figure out whether the origami finger puppet worn by the class geek, Dwight, has real power or whether it's just Dwight talking in a bad Yoda voice. So Tommy interviews all the kids who have asked Yoda for advice and recorded the outcomes in a case file. It's entertaining as heck. Harvey, the non-believer, and Tommy himself, comment on each case at the end of the file.

Most people don't think Dwight is smart enough to give out such great advice. show more Here's an example. When a kid accidentally brushes up against the bathroom sink, he's mortified because it looks like he peed in his pants. Dwight happens to be in the bathroom and recommends that the kid ask origami Yoda for advice. Yoda's advice: "All of pants you must wet." Brilliant. Yes it's weird to come to class all wet, but not as embarrassing as looking like you peed in your pants. show less

Origami Yoda may or may not be real, and his advice may or may not be any good, but he sure makes things interesting. This is a story of fitting in and standing out in middle school, the relationships between the friends and adversaries are wonderfully drawn. I enjoyed the mostly male point of view, and while the ending was a bit tidy, it was satisfying.
I'd give this to people looking for funny middle school stories, especially those who would appreciate the illustrated format.

Structured as a case file compiled by middle school student Tommy, The Strange Case of Origami Yoga sets out to determine whether weird fellow student Dwight's origami finger puppet Yoda is truly wise, or a total hoax. It's important for Tommy to know, because he has an important question for Yoda and needs to know if he can trust his advice: does Sara like Tommy? Should he ask her to dance at Fun Night?

Filled with humor, commentary, and doodles, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is a unique take on the middle school experience, where reality is changing and blurring and everyone is navigating new territory.

Back matter includes folding instructions for making your own Origami Yoda.

Quotes

And when one kid does something stupid, there's show more got to be somebody to make a huge production out of it.
And of course, that kid is Harvey. (90) show less

Tommy and his friends have always thought Dwight was odd, but things become even more strange when he arrives at school with an origami Yoda puppet that gives out surprisingly good advice. What stumps everyone is whether this origami Yoda is Dwight talking in a funny voice or if it's something more magical. Tommy and his friends conduct pseudo-scientific experiments with data they get from people who've had positive interactions with the paper Yoda, since Tommy is trying to decide whether he should trust Yoda's advice about asking a girl to the school dance. The book is interspersed with cartoons, sketches, "handwriting", and of course directions on how to make your own origami Yoda. Though the story is nothing new--it's simply middle show more school kids learning how to be social and interact--it's a very fun read for the 4-7 grade range. show less