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I love, love, love all of the books by Tom Angleberger and was so glad to see an activity book finally being published. Origami Yoda was such a huge hit with all of my nieces and nephews that I've been slowly sending them Darth Paper Strikes Back and The Secrets of the Fortune Wookie, trying to draw it out until the next one comes along. This is perfect!
I don't do origami myself, but for fans of the series, this would be a great accompaniment. Felt the need to plug the author's awesomeness!
Thanks to Abrams for the review copy.
1 Comments on Look what's out!, last added: 4/5/2013
A trio of Star Wars books: A pop-up, paper craft book and Yoda-inspired series. (Save you, they can!)
Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-Up Adventure, by Matthew Reinhart, Orchard, $36.99, ages 7 & up, 10 pages, 2012. A skeletal General Grievous lunges out with sabers swinging, in one of the most exciting pop ups in this 3-D sequel. Engineering wizard Reinhart follows up his best-sellingStar Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy with painterly pop-ups that are so intricate, it's hard to believe they could be mass produced. Readers will want to gingerly move from one scene to another, with parents helping kids (even as kids bounce around, wanting to rush to see it all). Devious separatists and fanged monsters lurk under folds, then swivel in attack, and in one, a bounty hunter's head transforms into a mercenary's. Smaller pop-ups near page corners are often nested three folds deep and can be viewed at least two at a time (with care). Reinhart packs in so many plot elements, every section bulges like a scrapbook. The book spans three prequel movies and the Clone Wars, from when Anakin is recruited as a Jedi through his transformation into Darth Vader. The grand finale is equipped with an LED and shows the fallen Jedi swiping the air with a saber that turns blue to red, as he passes to the Dark Side. Reinhart's book is a jaw-dropping marvel -- haunting and perilous like George Lucas's epic movies, and layered with complexity. Once more, Reinhart stretches the bounds of 3-D paper art and leaves even his youngest fan speechless. Best part: The gulp factor. One of my favorites is an eerie little pop-up at the end of the book. The head of Darth Sidious slips out of Palpatine's cloak, transforming the chancellor into the evil lord, with a deranged grin and raised claw-like hand. Click here to watch the trailer or scroll down to the next post!
Star Wars Origami, 36 Amazing Paper-folding Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away, by Chris Alexander, foreword by Tom Angleberger, Workman, $16.95, ages 9 an up, 272 pages. From the creator of starwarsorigami.com comes an irresistible tome of paper-folding projects. Alexander -- who Angleberger (author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda) aptly calls the "Jedi Master" of origami -- has designed 36 models representing iconic creatures, characters, weapons and battleships from the Star Wars epic. Alexander begins with a training chapter -- a short lesson in basic folds -- then dives into projects of varying difficulty, beginning at a Youngling level (easy), and on to Padawan (medium), Jedi Knight (difficult) and Jedi Master (tricky). Alexander takes readers step-by-step through the folds, giving pictures as he goes, and supplies 72 sheets of artfully designed paper. In between projects, fans take a breather and test their memories with trivia quizzes. Among the highlights, a death star for beginners that blows up into a small paper pillow and a self-standing C-350 made from two pieces of golden paper detailed with joints, eyes, even shadows (medium).Origami, in general, is challenging and Alexander's projects -- though well-explained -- are no different. So, plan on making this a joint activity for parents and child to avoid needless frustration. But be ready. Young fans will want to fold them all! Best part: An elaborately folded Taun We -- long-necked and as elegant as a preying mantis.
Origami Yoda Book series (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back, The Secret of Fortune Wookie), by Tom Angleberger, Amulet, $12.95 each, 8 and up, 160-176 pages, 2010-2012. In this hilarious series, a sixth-grade misfit shows up at school with an origami Yoda on his fingers and the puppet begins doling out advice that suggests the puppet is wise beyond the boy's years. Is this just the boy, Dwight, throwing his voice or could this "green paper wad" have mystical powers? Written like case files, this fun, fast-paced series explores the social dynamics and fads of sixth grade, and what it means to rise to greatness. Could it be that greatness lies in...weirdness? Best parts: When Dwight's cootie-catcher takes on a life on its own and inspires the arrival of paper puppet Chewbacca, a Fortune Wookie, and folded Han Solo, alias Han Foldo. Also, every book includes instructions to recreate one of these sage little puppets. (Watch for Art2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling: An Origami Yoda Activity book, due out in March!)
1 Comments on Holiday Gift Idea #2: Unleash the Force, last added: 12/3/2012
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0 Comments on It's my party, I'll give books if I want to... as of 7/26/2012 1:51:00 PM
Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!
Birthdays are great but I haven't been totally excited about it this year. This blog giveaway is a way to build excitement for me. In real life I haven't been this OMG BIRTHDAY! about it. (Which is a bit weird, because I'm usually OMG SQUEE about anything that involves Fudgie the Whale. My going away party at my last job involved Fudgie for breakfast and may have therefore been one of the best days of my life.)
It's not that I'm dreading being a year older but, it's not a milestone year (it ends in a 2, not a 0 or 5) and there's so much else going on right now-- like my new job (which is awesome, but it's a huge [very positive] change in a lot of different ways) and the Kung Fu Princess is really keeping me on my toes lately-- she just gained a ton of new skills that allow her to create even more mischief and she's going to start walking any second now, and then the world is doomed (you may want to start boarding your windows now).
But, today's the day. I'm going to get my free yogurt from Red Mango and my present from Sephora. I'm going to get a pedicure. I'm going to chill at home and watch the opening ceremonies.
It is a dark time at McQuarrie school--Dwight has transfered to Tippet Academy and taken Origami Yoda with him, leaving the kids at McQuarrie without his sage advice. Then Sara shows up with the Fortune Wookie, who's growls are translated into advice by Han Foldo. Dwight threw them down to her from his bedroom window, so Tommy and Kellan assume they're infused with some of the Origami Yoda's force. Still, they're on the case...
The Fortune Wookie gives good advice, but some of the truths the kids have face are painful. When investigating the Fortune Wookie, they stumble across another mystery--Dwight has turned totally normal. No more origami, no more weird sayings, totally and utterly normal (and kinda boring.) What gives?
Angleberger stays strong with this third installment of the Origami Yoda series. I'm a bit biased because I'm a total Han Solo girl and we get wonderful classic Solo lines sprinkled throughout the text. I also love that Sara gets full props and credit for knowing her Star Wars (the guys are all super impressed at her knowledge of minor characters. Also, she does an excellent Wookie growl.) AND AND AND AND AND! God bless Tom Angleberger for not giving the girl a Princess Leia origami. I mean, Princess Leia is AWESOME (how many diplomats do you know who can rock a blaster like that? PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW!) but Angleberger didn't give the girl and girl. It made my fangirl* heart swell to a new size.
I also really like how Darth Paper Strikes Back and Fortune Cookie stay funny while still tackling some big issues. I love how the McQuarrie kids accept Dwight as Dwight. And I"m very, very afraid for the next book. It's not as cliff hanger-y as Han being frozen and taken back to Jabba and Luke finding out that Vader is his father but... Dark times are coming. You may not be afraid but... you will be. You will be.
*as a fangirl of Star Wars and of Angleberger
Book Provided by... my local library
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0 Comments on The Secret of the Fortune Wookie as of 9/10/2012 9:46:00 AM
Congratulations to Tom Angleberger on this epic day! I even baked you a cake!
I have actually had a copy for the last week, but have waited to read it until now- I just didn't feel right reading it before the book's actual birthday. So, let the reading commence! Keep an eye on this blog for my review!
1 Comments on Happy Darth Vader is Happy!, last added: 8/23/2011
Mr Balke (5th and 6th grade teacher and undercover super hero) sent me an email asking: "Have you had a chance to utilize your super-powers of book choosing for me? No pressure" He requested something funny where he could use lots of different voices. I immediately donned my cape and ran to the A section where I selected:
1 Comments on Ladies Underpants?, last added: 8/23/2011
Six days - approximately - until the end of the "September" giveaway. Comment on this blog with your first name and your town to enter to win (fanfare plaease!)A signed copy of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, a hard back copy of Darth Paper Strikes Again AND....AND....YES! an actual origami Darth Paper finger puppet that I received directly from Tom Angleberger himself. I have every reason to believe that he actually made that finger puppet (sigh).
No comments will be accepted after 11:59 pm on October 6th. The winner will be selected from the Chobani Cup of Oracleness on Oct. 8th. So tell all your friends to visit this blog and enter to win. I will announce the winner on Oct. 8th and give that winner a chance to contact me with snail mail information.
May the force be with you!
0 Comments on Still time to win! as of 10/1/2011 9:19:00 AM
Dwight’s been suspended because Origami Yoda is too much of a distraction. It gets worse-- the Principal's recommended that Dwight be sent to CREF-- the Correctional and Remedial Education Facility-- where the really, really bad kids go. Before being hauled off, Origami Yoda tells Tommy to do one more thing-- assemble a case file. So Tommy’s back on the case, this time letting everyone detail the good Origami Yoda’s done and all the bad things that have happened since he left. Once again, Kellan illustrates and Harvey makes comments-- even though Harvey and his origami Darth Vader are responsible for this mess in the first place.
Just as awesome as the first PLUS! A new Star Wars pencil game (very cool) and some serious love for Robot Dreams .
Here’s a tip girls-- if you have to decide between 2 guys, and one gives you Robot Dreams because “It’s so great. It’s this really beautiful story...” and one guy gives you an Elvis-playing Teddy Bear. GO FOR THE ROBOT DREAMS GUY. Trust me on this one. Go for Robot Dreams.
Lots of excellent Star Wars nerdery, lots of hilarity, and well, if you liked the first, you’ll like this. If you haven’t read the first, what are you waiting for?!
Book Provided by... my local library
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
0 Comments on Darth Paper Strikes Back as of 1/1/1900
When Lenny's best friend buys a suit and a fake moustache for that "man about town" look, everything goes wrong. The Heidelberg Handlebar #7 has special powers and Casper (or, as he's now known, Fako Mustacho) becomes an evil mastermind. He robs banks for billions of dollars and rigs a presidential election. Only Lenny isn't hypnotized by the power of the mustache. But, with the help of Jodie O'Rodeo, a former TV Cowgirl sensation, they might just be able to save the world.
As you can probably tell from the plot description, this one is wackier, siller and more of a tall tale than the Origami Yoda books. As such, it wasn't really my cup of tea BUT it's one that middle graders will eat up. I liked the fact that Jodie O'Rodeo did all her own stunts, just not her own singing. I also like that both Lenny and Jodie narrate this one, but they don't alternate chapters--it's more or less in thirds. I also liked the crazy things invented by he Heidelberg Novelty Company.
ARC Provided by... the publisher, at ALA.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
0 Comments on Fake Mustache as of 4/3/2012 7:52:00 AM
Have you been to the Spy Museum here in DC? I highly recommend it. Don't forget the gift shop, either-- they have a great selection of cool spy things, but also an amazing bookstore with fiction and nonfiction for all ages (seriously, excellent book selection).
How excellent? Well, they realize that a slapstick comedy about a fake mustache turning your best friend into an evil super-genius and the only way to stop him is to dress up like a tween superstar cow girl and then team up with that cow girl and her wonder horse is the PERFECT fit.
Come to a fun-filled mustachioed family event at The International Spy Museum on Friday May 18th from 2-4 PM. Don’t have your own mustache? Not to worry, they will be handing them out free. Theirs won’t be the Heidelberg Handlebar #7 with special powers that stars in the book, but they will be hairy none the less.
Books will be available at the store. This event is free.
When Lenny's best friend buys a suit and a fake mustache for that "man about town" look, everything goes wrong. The Heidelberg Handlebar #7 has special powers and Casper (or, as he's now known, Fako Mustacho) becomes an evil mastermind. He robs banks for billions of dollars and rigs a presidential election. Only Lenny isn't hypnotized by the power of the mustache. But, with the help of Jodie O'Rodeo, a former TV Cowgirl sensation, they might just be able to save the world.
As you can probably tell from the plot description, this one is wackier, siller and more of a tall tale than the Origami Yoda books. As such, it wasn't really my cup of tea BUT it's one that middle graders will eat up. I liked the fact that Jodie O'Rodeo did all her own stunts, just not her own singing. I also like that both Lenny and Jodie narrate this one, but they don't alternate chapters--it's more or less in thirds. I also liked the crazy things invented by he Heidelberg Novelty Company.
ARC Provided by... the publisher, at ALA
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
0 Comments on Sunday Salon: Fake Mustache as of 5/13/2012 9:22:00 AM
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
1 Comments on Fake Mustache Giveaway!, last added: 7/24/2012
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
0 Comments on Win an Autographed Copy of Fake Mustache! as of 1/1/1900
With every galley given out Tom Angleberger author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda has made a Origami Yoda for each book. I forsee big things for this 'strange' book.
About the book
In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, he assembles the case file that forms this novel.
About the author
Applying for a job as a newspaper artist, Tom Angleberger was mistakenly assigned to cover local government meetings. Fifteen years and countless town council meetings later, he is still writing instead of drawing, currently as a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia. He began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. They live in Christianburg, Virginia.
Authors: By Tom Angleberger Imprint: Amulet Books ISBN: 0-8109-8425-3 EAN: 9780810984257 Availability: Prepublication Publishing Date: 4/1/2010 Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 Page Count: 160 Cover: Hardcover
Illustrations: Through out
1 Comments on The Strange Case of Origami Yoda—Sneak Peak, last added: 1/7/2010
"This one gets four stars. It was cute, fun, light, and a nice story with a warm fuzzy feeling. The “casebook” format, with crumpled paper effects on the pages and drawings in the margins, was incredibly cute. Some of the wording did feel a bit dated (think 80s), but it wasn't overly distracting. Obviously, this would be even better if you are a Star Wars fan. The instructions at the end on how to fold your own origami Yoda at the end of the book were just the perfect addition. This is definitely highly recommended! "
Dwight is one of the biggest weirdos at McQuarrie Middle School, and when he starts carrying around an Origami Yoda on his finger and dispensing advice in the worst Yoda-voice ever, it's pretty par for the course. Except... Origami Yoda gives good advice, advice that Dwight would never be able to give in a million years. Does Origami Yoda have special powers? Tommy needs to know if Origami Yoda's real or not, because Origami Yoda told Tommy to do something and Tommy's a bit afraid.
So, Tommy collects different stories of his classmates' interactions with Origami Yoda in an attempt to decide whether or not to trust his advice.
What results is a very fun and funny book about middle school, friends, girls, and, of course, the Force. With fun illustrations dotting the margins and other students' comments on the case files, this is book readers are sure to love.
All the love this book has gotten is spot-on and I'm just adding mine to the pile.
ALSO, there are instructions in the back so you can make your own Origami Yoda!
I've had a lot of fun booktalking this one by sticking my own Origami Yoda on my finger and doing my horrible Yoda voice and having the following conversation with myself:
Me: So, Origami Yoda, is this book any good?
Yoda: Hmmm... Funny it is. Read it you shall. Like it you will. But! A warning I have...
Me: A warning?
Yoda: Do not drink milk while reading this book, or laugh so hard, shoot it out your nose, you will.
Me: Good advice. Thanks Origami Yoda!
Book Provided by... my local library
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
1 Comments on Strange Case of Origami Yoda, last added: 10/5/2010
* A veritable spate of articles lately about how e-readers appeal to kids. C. J. Lovelace reports on a Chambersburg, PA, middle school that features a boys Kindle reading club:
“They spent all of last year with Kindle clubs with the reluctant readers and they had phenomenal results,” [district head librarian Joanne] Hammond said. “They tracked the progress of the students and so many of them read so many books by the end of the year because they liked reading on the Kindle much better (than) the print book.”
Not sure if this trend has legs or not, but it’s worth tracking. From an article by Julie Bosman for The New York Times:
“The young adults and the teenagers are now the newest people who are beginning to experience e-readers,” said Matthew Shear, the publisher of St. Martin’s Press. “If they get hooked, it’s great stuff for the business.”
It is too soon to tell if younger people who have just picked up e-readers will stick to them in the long run, or grow bored and move on.
But Monica Vila, who runs the popular Web site The Online Mom and lectures frequently to parent groups about Internet safety, said that in recent months she had been bombarded with questions from parents about whether they should buy e-readers for their children.
In a speech last month at a parents’ association meeting in Westchester County, Ms. Vila asked for a show of hands to indicate how many parents had bought e-readers for their children as holiday gifts.
About half the hands in the room shot up, she recalled.
“Kids are drawn to the devices, and there’s a definite desire by parents to move books into this format,” Ms. Vila said. “Now you’re finding people who are saying: ‘Let’s use the platform. Let’s use it as a way for kids to learn.’ ”
Cats like ‘em, too! Photo: Joyce Dopkeen for the New York Times.
* Virginia’s Reading Teacher of the Year, Ashleigh Fisher, a reading specialist in Roanoke, is determined to hook ‘em all. She plans to use the $500 prize money to establish a book club for boys:
“It is pretty devastating. Boys score lower than girls; they don’t see reading as a masculine activity. Boys aren’t as engaged in reading as girls,” she said.
Fisher is setting out to change that by launching a lunchtime book club for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade boys. She said she would like to begin with The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by local author and former Roanoke Times columnist Tom Angleberger. The only thing keeping Fisher from beginning immediately is a lack of funding to buy several copies of the book.
* Many young boys are missing out on quality time with their fathers.
Last week, Florida crumbled into submission. This week, it’s Virginia tapping out under the brute force of my choke hold of a book.
No, it wasn’t you; I have no idea what I just said, either. Gibberish, mostly. I’m gibbering. Perhaps it’s time to contact the people at the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. So let’s try again and not bury the lead this time:
I keep finding out about these award/contests in seemingly random ways. There’s no official letter, no word from my publisher. It’s usually an email from someone who figures I already know.
But I don’t. I so don’t.
Anyway, again, great news for Bystander to be nominated as one of the better books for middle school readers. That’s six states I’m aware of, or seven, if we’re willing to count Confusion as a state. I always make a point of listing the other titles nominated for these awards. I do that because this blog won’t be of interest to anyone, including me, if it’s all about James Preller all the time. Also, I enjoy discovering the titles of these books, something new and unexpected always pops up, and I’m forever looking for good books to read and/or purchase for my kids. It’s an honor to share a ballot with such accomplished writers.
Virginia’s Reader’s Choice Awards for Middle School
Uh-huh! Go Yoda! Only 11 days until Darth Paper Strikes Back
comes out! I am planning a book release party- so if you would like to get Darth Paper the day it comes out, talk to me when school starts next week! I will hand out order forms!
And to be fair, I must represent The Dark Side.
And of course, I had to learn how to make my own animated gif (that's what those images up there are called). I used Picasion.com. Very easy!
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Tomorrow is my birthday! That means it's also the last day to enter to win!
I love these books! I had Tom Angleberger at my blog this week:) It was a great interview because he's a great writer.