Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Tasty Junkfood and Origami Yoda

Most days we try to eat well, fruits, vegetables, nice dinners etc. Some days though you may just want something like Taco Bell or a handful of Cheetos. Of course it wouldn't be healthy to live off of Cheetos, but a few just now and then? Yummy.

Reading choice can be similar. I usually extol the classics, seeking out the best of the best. I prefer well written, strong characters, excellent plotlines, but I will admit that some times a funny book (a Cheeto) or some other light reading can be really enjoyable. It is good for children to have some moments of reading "junk food". Surely we wouldn't want them to only read that, but a "handful" every now and again can be just for pleasure.

I just read The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Origami Yoda #1)
Charles Dickens this is not, but it is really a fun story.

It looks like a journal with entries by different kids. It is their "case files" investigating the the case of origami Yoda and his great advice.

The story is of a group of boys in sixth-grade, the odd-ball type kids, who find that one friend's origami Yoda dispenses wonderful wise advice. The creator of the Yoda origami, Dwight, is especially odd, and too clueless they decide, to be the one dispensing the great wisdom.

It is a fun, quick read. It deals with typical middle school angst - not performing well in phy. ed., being one of the "uncool" kids, sitting in a group desperately trying to gain the attention of girls etc. etc. Cute.

I particularly liked the part where they are shushed in the library and the Librarian tells them the library is not a playground...I've heard that almost exact thing be told to students weekly.

There is also directions and pictures to fold your own origami Yoda.
Read this book you must.

There are also two subsequent books, I haven't read yet, but that continue this theme:
1. Darth Paper Strikes Back
Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda #2)

2. The Secret of the Fortune Wookie
The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee  (Origami Yoda #3)

Here's a quick video of the author creating an origami Yoda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA4VJbqFQuw
 

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