The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee

August 6, 2012
The seventh graders of McQuarrie Middle School are back—except for Dwight, creator of the original Origami Yoda, who is stuck at nearby Tippett Academy after getting suspended in Darth Paper Strikes Back. But the kids still need wise, Star Warsâthemed advice, and thus the Fortune Wookiee is born. (In one of the funniest gags, the paper Chewbacca's fortunes consist of variations on "MMGGGGHHHRRRRR," requiring translation from a second puppet, Han Foldo.) As with the previous books, this story's greatest strength lies in the way Angleberger develops, distinguishes, and humanizes the main characters, who take turns narrating in chapters brought to life with a variety of typefaces and scrawled cartoon marginalia. From Kellen's romantic cluelessness and Sara's savvy to some poignant material about Dwight, who isn't doing as well at Tippett as he would have his friends believe, Angleberger shows an uncommon ability to get into the heads and hearts of middle-schoolers, while keeping humor at the forefront. Plans for a fourth book appear to be underway: as Origami Yoda puts it, "A great battle ahead I sense." Ages 8-12. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Starred review from August 15, 2012
A short time ago in a middle school not far away... The forces of good have lost Dwight and Origami Yoda to Tippett Academy. McQuarrie Middle School is suddenly as boring as linoleum flooring. On the second day of the post-Dwight era, Sara, Tommy's sorta girlfriend and Dwight's neighbor, arrives at school with a fortune Wookiee (a cootie catcher shaped like Chewbacca) and says Dwight has sent Chewie to help in Origami Yoda's absence. Kids ask advice. Sara counts off their favorite movie, spells the name of their favorite Star Wars character, lifts a flap and: "Mmmrrrgggggg!"--Chewie offers sage advice. Thankfully, Han Foldo's there to interpret, usually offering a Han Solo quote from the movies. Chewie solves several student problems as Tommy compiles a case file with stories from each, but Tommy's also concerned that Tippett Academy seems to have drained the weird from Dwight. Will Harvey expose the fortune Wookiee as a fraud? Will Dwight return to McQuarrie? Will principal Rabbski outlaw origami and destroy what little fun there is to be had at school? Angleberger's third in the series continues the fun but relies on knowledge of its predecessors, but unlike the movies, going back to the prequels is no hardship. A chorus of spot-on middle school voices and plenty of laughs are wrapped around this tale of friendship and seasoned with Star Wars references. The end is foreboding...all young Jedi rejoice! There will be a sequel. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 9-14)

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January 1, 2013
The third wacky, doodle-embellished Origami Yoda book finds the kids of McQuarrie Middle School soldiering on without Dwight and Origami Yoda's advice. Then Sara brings in a paper fortuneteller in the shape of Chewbacca. Tommy, Kellen, and Harvey try to get to the bottom of Fortune Wookiee and figure out why Dwight's acting [cf2]way[cf1] too normal at his new school.

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