Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, charming tale of middle school crushes, friendships.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In a group of friends on the edges of middle school society, the most unusual character is Dwight, a boy who's been known to sit in holes and mop up spills with the clothes he's wearing. One day, Dwight shows his friends an origami Yoda finger puppet he made and proceeds to channel the Star Wars prophet, telling classmates' fortunes in a Yoda-like voice. This book includes anecdotes related by the main narrator, Tommy, and several of their friends, as they debate whether origami Yoda is "real," meaning whether he can really predict the future and advise lovelorn and stressed out tweens.
Is It Any Good?
Middle school's awkward moments are fodder for ORIGAMI YODA, a funny, charming little book about tween crushes and friendships. Tom Angleberger creates situations and characters that are at once highly unusual and very relatable. The author is also ingenious in his use of a device--the origami Yoda-- that's both trendy and timeless, as Star Wars seems to be a film series that kids will keep "discovering" for generations to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether oragami Yoda can tell the future. Do you think kids at your school would believe in the origami Yoda?
Have you read other books that are narrated by more than one person? Do you like this approach to storytelling?
Do you know any kids like Dwight? Why do you think he does some of the odd things he does?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : School
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Abrams
- Publication date : March 1, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 141
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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