The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Dwight is a weird kid and therefore considered a loser by many of his classmates. Tommy and his friends are not much higher on the social totem pole, but at least they try to avoid potentially embarrassing situations. This is not easy to do in middle school when you always strike out playing softball in P.E. or your pants get wet in an awkward location or you really want to ask a girl to dance.

Unexpectedly, Dwight’s weirdness offers possible solutions when he tells the other kids to ask his origami Yoda finger-puppet for advice.  But can Tommy really trust Origami Yoda’s advice on a matter of great importance? Is the finger puppet magic? Or is it just Dwight messing with them? How can Origami Yoda seem so wise when Dwight seems so clearly clueless?

To help him decide, Tommy puts together a case file with stories from classmates who asked Yoda’s advice. His skeptical friend Harvey adds his rather mean comments and eventually makes his own advice-giving origami Yoda. In the end, Tommy has to decide whether to trust weird Dwight’s Yoda and risk embarrassment or listen to negative Harvey’s Yoda and play it safe.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is a fun, quick read, illustrated with doodles and instructions for making your own origami Yoda.  The audiobook is well done, with five narrators for the different kids who contribute to Tommy’s case file. The embarrassing situations are true-to-life, and the questions of whether it is okay to be weird, to be mean, to take chances, or to hide behind criticism add real depth to the story.

Author's web site: http://origamiyoda.wordpress.com/
Sequel: Darth Paper Strikes Back (Published August 23, 2011)

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Image from http://www.rodmanphilbrick.com

Orphan Homer P. Figg is a dandy of a liar. He uses this skill as best he can in a search for his older brother Harold who was sent off to fight in the Civil War.  Along the way, Homer is threatened by slave catchers, discovers a stop on the Underground Railroad, becomes the Amazing Pig Boy in a traveling medicine show, and more.  Will he find his brother before Harold is killed on the battlefield?  Read this book of humor, danger, and history to find out!

Teacher notes: Fun, quick read! Homer has a clear voice full of wonderful expressions.  His adventure engages the reader from beginning to end.  Along the way, readers get a sense of life during the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.  Scholastic has some useful related resources: a video book talk, teacher activity guide about the Underground Railroad, and an interactive students activity about the Underground Railroad.