Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, oddball story about sticking up for a friend.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In the second book of Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda series, DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK, Tommy and his friends are upset when Principal Rabbski wants to transfer Dwight -- the boy who brought them Origami Yoda -- from their school to CREF, a remedial program for problem students. As they often do, the kids bring their problem to Origami Yoda, who advises them to put together a case file that demonstrates to the school board that Dwight deserves to stay at McQuarrie Middle School. Tommy enlists several friends to help, and much of the novel consists of the clever stories they write down, relating ways Dwight and Origami Yoda have helped other students. However, their classmate Harvey -- who has made his own finger puppet, Darth Paper -- scoffs at Origami Yoda and works against the movement to save Dwight. It's the Force vs. the Dark Side, with a gang of well-meaning friends caught up in the battle.
Is It Any Good?
Darth Paper lacks some of the character development of the first Oragami Yoda book, but it does have a cleverly told, big-hearted story and loads of funny moments. Any kids (and parents) who've been sold a bill of goods about school fundraising will find the story about selling "nothing" hilarious. Like Book 1, this novel will especially appeal to Star Wars fans, though readers don't have to be fanatics to enjoy the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how video games are banned from the school library in Darth Paper Strikes Back. Do you think students should be able to play video games during their free time at school?
Did you like this sequel as much as the first Oragami Yoda book? Do you think kids who aren't into Star Wars would like them, too?
Try making one of the origami projects in the book yourself.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : School
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Abrams
- Publication date : August 23, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 176
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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