Darth Paper Strikes Back

This book came out yesterday. I preordered from Amazon so last night I started it, and I finished it today, I loved the first book, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger, and was totally ready for more super-silly fun!
Summary:The hilarious, clever, and much-anticipated follow-up to the breakout hit, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.

It is a dark time at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School. After suffering several Origami Yoda–related humiliations, Harvey manages to get Dwight suspended from school for being a “troublemaker.” Origami Yoda pleads with Tommy and Kellen to save Dwight by making a new case file—one that will show how Dwight’s presence benefits McQuarrie. With the help of their friends, Tommy and Kellen record cases such as “Origami Yoda and the Pre-eaten Wiener,” “Origami Yoda and the Exploding Pizza Bagels,” and “Origami Yoda and Wonderland: The Musical.” But Harvey and his Darth Paper puppet have a secret plan that could make Dwight’s suspension permanent . . .

With his proven knack for humorously exploring the intrigues, fads, and dramas of middle school, Tom Angleberger has crafted a worthy sequel to his breakout bestseller.

I think that the characters in this book are some of the best of all time. Tommy is the character that is rather off to the side but knows what going on. Harvey is the nerdy jerk who always has to be right (sound like anyone we know, Benji?) and then there's Dwight, our hero and the super awesome creator of Origami Yoda. Though Dwight always means well he just doesn't always carry it out well.

I was really excited when I found out that the book was going to be about Origami Darth Vader! But when I started reading I was rather disappointed because this book wasn't too much about Darth Paper but more about what a awesome guy Dwight was and I really just wanted to get back to the Origami Yoda vs Darth Paper battles. Sorry Dwight, I don't like you that much, except Origami Yoda is still in it a lot and deals out some great advice, so all's well that ends well!

All of Tom Angleberger's illustrations are epic, and add a great feel to the book. I think that the illustrations have gotten better since the last book and you're able to see what they are better.

Awesome book, this is. Read it you must.

5/5

Book Battle Update: This is my 23rd book read in the book battle, Maddz has read 21.

Origami Yoda fans will be happy to know, THE END THIS IS NOT!

Horton Halfpott or the Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset

From Tom Angleberger [read my interview with him here] author of the New York Times best-seller, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda comes Horton Halfpott or the Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or the Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset. Wow is that a mouthful of a title!

Summary: Tom Angleberger's latest, loopiest middle-grade novel begins when M'Lady Luggertuck loosens her corset (it's never been loosened before!), thereby setting off a chain of events in which all the strict rules of Smugwick Manor are abandoned. When, as a result of "the Loosening," the precious family heirloom, the Luggertuck Lump (quite literally a lump), goes missing, the Luggertucks look for someone to blame. Is it Horton Halfpott, the good-natured but lowly kitchen boy who can't tell a lie? Or one of the many colorful cast members in this silly romp of a mystery.

So as you can see from the summary, this book does not take itself seriously, and I think that makes the book a whole lot more fun! One thing I was surprised by in this book was how different it was from The Strange Case of Origami Yoda but I guess that's to be expected seeing how this book takes place in Victorian England and Origami Yoda takes place is middle school. Personally I'm glad that Tom Angleberger can write well in two different genres. The only problem of this book was that it goes off on way too many side stories and ends of giving the reading a cartoon-filled headache. What can I say? As the back cover states "Tom Angleberger's loopiest novel yet".

4/5

Interview with author Tom Angleberger

Hello! I got the pleasure to interview author Tom Angleberger, author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Horton Halfpott. And without further adieu, here goes the interview.

Benji: How do you get the ideas and inspiration for your book?
Tom Angleberger: Well, the idea from Origami Yoda came one day when I saw a picture of an origami Yoda on the Internet. It was the famous one folded by Fumiaki Kawahata.
Since I am a HUGE Star Wars Fan and a long-time origami folder, I was really interested. But it was too hard for me to fold Kawahata's version.
So I created my own very simple Yoda. It turned out to fit on my finger like a finger puppet.... and the idea for the book was born!

Benji: At what age did you start writing? Drawing?

Tom Angleberger: I can't tell you when I started drawing. I've enjoyed drawing for as long as I can remember, though I have often been frustrated by not being able to make a drawing look the way I want it to.
In the 7th grade I started writing a comic strip about cowboys that ride snails. The next year I started a novel, which I never finished. But since then I've almost always been trying to cook up something.

Benji: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Tom Angleberger: For adventure: Lloyd Alexander, John Christopher, Grace Lin, John Claude Bemis.

For comedy: Helen Cresswell and Daniel Pinkwater.
You should be able to find books by most of these authors at your library. (Maybe not Helen Cresswell.)

Benji: Can you tell us anything about your new book, the sequel to Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back?

Tom Angleberger: I'll tell you a secret that is still Top Secret.... Origami Princess Leia will be in the book!!!! (Sort of).
Also, I have to warn you that this story is going to be rough! Harvey has brought Darth Paper to school and has caused serious trouble. Not all of it is funny, either.
The book begins: "It is a dark time at McQuarrie Middle School..."

Benji: Do you have any advice for kids who want to become writers or artists?

Tom Angelberger: Give it a try! It's a great job! But it's a bit tough to make a living at it, so be prepared to take other jobs. I worked as a reporter for many years before selling my first book.

Benji: At what age did you become a Star Wars fan?

Tom Angleberger: Six. That was when the movie first came out. When the toys came out, my first one was C3P0. I still have him and many more.

Benji: Anything Else you would like to tell us about your books, your life or in general?

Tom Anglerberger: Well, I'd love to mention my latest book, Horton Halfpott, which is a wacky mystery set in huge castle. It's got action, thrills, chills, spills, pickles and Shipless Pirates!*
*And a bit of underwear.

Benji: Thank you, Tom! Tom is a great writer, visit his website at www.origamiyoda.wordpress.com

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The little green guy from Star Wars is back, on a galaxy pretty close: Middle School! This book is a collection of made-up case files on a Origami Yoda who has been giving out advice in mixed up phrasing, which helps people out of sticky situations. The only problem is that this green paper genius is made by Dwite, a total oddball. Who wears Yoda all the time, really all the time! So you can see why Tommy is concerned when Yoda gives him advice about a girl that if turns about to be wrong could be totally humiliating!

This book is super funny and will have you laughing from front to back, so don't eat well reading unless you want to get half eaten food all over yourself! A great debut for author Tom Angleberger, I'm not sure the character of Tommy is based on him or if he just wants a character named after him. There are rumors of a sequel so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

5/5