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Start your review of The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee (Origami Yoda, #3)

Nov 03, 2015 Ivonne Rovira rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Ivonne by: Jedis everywhere!

How can you have one of Tom Angleberger's delightful Origami Yoda books without Dwight Tharp — or especially Origami Yoda? Genius that he is, Angleberger found a way!

The thus-far irrepressible Dwight has been expelled from McQuarrie Middle School and is now at Tibbet Academy, leaving Tommy Lomax and the gang behind. Adrift without the Jedi wisdom, the seventh-graders turn to the Fortune Wookiee, a substitute Dwight has given his neighbor Sarah Bolt. The Fortune Wookiee can't speak himself, but his yelps and howls are translated by Hans Foldo, yet another puppet. The Fortune Wookiee's advice is nearly as good as Origami Yoda's, but McQuarrie's dark-side Harvey is as skeptical as ever of the Force.

Meanwhile, Dwight, who once marched to his own drummer, has become "normal" — alarming his McQuarrie friends, especially his best friends Tommy, Sarah, and sort-of-girlfriend Caroline Broom. He no longer turns to Origami Yoda, says "purple," or even speaks much at all. Can Dwight really be happy with his new persona?

So for the third time, Tommy compiles a collection of case studies to try to make sense of all of these changes, and the result — The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee — is just as charming, touching, and, as Kellen Campbell would phrase it, Jedi-wise as the two previous books, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back. While aimed squarely at the middle-grade and middle-school sets, any adult who doesn't enjoy The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee just doesn't remember the rollercoaster emotions of seventh grade. Once again, I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, with its perfect cast of narrators, which proved to be the icing on a most delicious cake.

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Apr 20, 2012 Colby Sharp rated it it was amazing

Books like this are what the Nerdy Book Club is all about: well written, kid friendly, fun, deep.

Aug 08, 2014 Carmen rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Star Wars fans who don't mind kid's books

What the Fett?*

How did I go from being mildly annoyed with this series to laughing out loud while reading it?

Thank Jabba* I didn't ditch this after the first book!

The kids at school are feeling Dwight's absence keenly. Luckily, Dwight has made up a little origami Chewbacca fortune teller to guide the students on their correct path. First you tell the Wookie what your favorite Star Wars Episode is, and then your favorite character from the movies. Then he answers in Shyriiwook** and Sara translat

What the Fett?*

How did I go from being mildly annoyed with this series to laughing out loud while reading it?

Thank Jabba* I didn't ditch this after the first book!

Also, Sara makes a little Han Solo origami, which she christens Han Foldo, to get in on the fun.

There's some great subplots here, including, but not limited to: the school cutting all funding for liberal arts in order to "focus on the basics" and teach to the test; the principal banning the use or making of origami in any place in the school except the library; and Dwight being turned "normal" by his horrifyingly cheerful and supportive new school.

Will Dwight escape the "Attack of the Clones?" Or will he become a clone himself? Will Rhodella and Kellan ever start dating? Can Harvey stop being such a jerk?

Sweet, funny, smart and with a generous helping of Star Wars humor and references, I was in Cloud City reading this little gem of a book. Great work, Angleberger!

P.S. The drawings are still ugly.

*Both these expressions are used in the book and I LOVED THEM. So cool. :)

**Wookie speak

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Oct 04, 2019 Jerry rated it liked it

Just like the previous volumes, this one was a fun story involving origami Star Wars characters that are more than just folded paper. Instead of just being more of the same, this one felt a bit different, but still in a similar vein to the first two.

Unfortunately, the author felt the need to put an attack on the Christian faith again. It was bad enough that he did it briefly in the second novel; why do it all through a chapter the third time around? As a follower of the Way, that makes this one

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Aug 20, 2012 Jesika rated it really liked it

Tom Angleberger could have rested on the laurels of his unique premise. He could have pumped out book after book where Origami Yoda solves various middle-school -type problems while Tommy and the gang wonder if Origami Yoda is real or just a creation of Dwight. It's such an interesting concept that many fans (myself included) would have read many reiterations of "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" before getting tired and moving on. To Tom Angleberger's credit, he didn't do that. Each book in the Tom Angleberger could have rested on the laurels of his unique premise. He could have pumped out book after book where Origami Yoda solves various middle-school -type problems while Tommy and the gang wonder if Origami Yoda is real or just a creation of Dwight. It's such an interesting concept that many fans (myself included) would have read many reiterations of "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" before getting tired and moving on. To Tom Angleberger's credit, he didn't do that. Each book in the series develops the characters, moves them through time and ups the narrative ante.

"The Secret of the Fortune Wookie" finds Dwight suspended from McQuarrie Middle School for a semester and attending Tippett Academy, a private school. Tommy and friends feel lost without Origami Yoda to give advice, but then Sara shows up with Chewbacca ,the fortune telling cootie catcher, and Han Foldo, Chewie's interpreter. Chewie and Han are solving all kinds of problems, but everyone still misses Dwight (well, maybe not Harvey). Reports out of his new school are sounding very Un-Dwight: he's not getting in trouble, carrying around Origami Yoda or being weird. The kids must decide if Dwight is starting to fit into his new school or if there is something wrong. Should they be happy for Dwight or try and save him?

The series improves with each book because, as I've said, the characters grow and deepen. This is especially true in the relationship between the sexes. In "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda", one of Tommy's questions to Origami Yoda was how he could dance with Sara at the dance. In "Fortune Wookie," Tommy and Sara have become good friends that interact frequently and comfortably, though they are not dating. Sara carries a large part of the plot and not just as an object of Tommy's desire. It's wonderful to see a kid's book that shows how crushes work with fully realized characters and not just sticking girl characters in as a goal for the male characters to reach.

The most interesting interaction is between Kellen and his longtime crush, Rhondella. (view spoiler)[ Sara confesses to Tommy that she and her friends made the Fortune Wookie, not Dwight, as a way to tell Kellen nicely that Rhondella wasn't interested in him. When Tommy gets upset, saying that Kellen has like Rhondella since the third grade, Sara replies that Kellen likes the 'idea' of the third grade Rhondella and doesn't know anything about the 7th grade Rhondella. Important points made: 1. If you like someone, even if it has been for a long time, he/she is not obligated to like you back. 2. You have to like the actual person- not some idealized version. I was so happy these points were spelled out so clearly (too bad not to Kellen) because a lot of young adult books setup a hunter/hunted relationship between girls and boys. Boy sees girl and wants her (yet knows nothing about her) and pursues her despite her ambivalence or flat out rejection until she relents. What kind of relationship is that? I hope young readers of this book really think about why Rhondella rejected Kellen and not just think she's a jerk. There are several budding relationships in this series: Tommy and Sara, Dwight and Caroline. These relationships are progressing because the participates not only like each other but because they interact frequently, are friends and share similar interests. This provides a good antithesis to Kellen's crush on Rhondella. I hope young readers notice this and think about it. (hide spoiler)]

"The Secrete of the Fortune Woookie" is a fun and funny book that deals with many issues that middle schoolers face. If there is one drawback, is that it is esoteric. The series couldn't be a classroom read without a viewing of the Star Wars trilogy and it's prequels. While people who haven't seen Star Wars *can* read it, the book loses much of it's humor and would probably be confusing. For Star Wars fans, the books are endless fun. There are references to the movies and books in obvious and less obvious places. (The names of the schools McQuarrie and Tippett refer to the designer/illustrator and visual effects designer of the Star Wars movies.) Can you find them all?

Even though I am not a in middle school, I am a Star Wars fan and an Origami Yoda fan! I can't wait to see what happens next!

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Aug 13, 2012 Paula rated it it was amazing

I swear these just keep getting better. The current crisis at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School is... how will everyone get by without the guidance of Origami Yoda, now that Dwight has transferred to fancy Tippett Academy? And by the way, what is going ON with Dwight? Reports are filtering in that he is no longer digging holes and sitting in them, speaks in complete sentences, and, strangest of all, has stopped bringing Origami Yoda to school!

While Origami Yoda was about accepting and appreciating D

While Origami Yoda was about accepting and appreciating Dwight and his weirdness, and Darth Paper was about accepting - while not exactly appreciating - Harvey's oblivious jerkiness, each book also has seen the kids gradually gaining consciousness of how their actions affect other people. The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee continues this progress, in a way that I can't reveal without spoiling the Fortune Wookiee's actual Secret.

All this growth in emotional intelligence is delivered in a way that is subtle as hell, though, and conveyed with so much humor that no child will put down this book feeling like he has been Shown How To Be A Better Person.

BONUS: Han Foldo
SEQUEL I CAN'T WAIT FOR: At the end of Fortune Wookiee, we get some big news about big changes afoot at McQuarrie Middle, and I am going to LOVE seeing Tommy, Kellen, Sara, Rhondella, Harvey, Quavondo, Cassie, Remi, Amy, Tater Tot, Lance, Dwight, and even stuck-up Brianna band together to take down the Evil Teaching To the Test Curriculum. I also can't wait to see the Star Wars puns Tom Angleberger will come up with for standardized testing.

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Jul 12, 2012 Holly Mueller rated it really liked it

"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter." Everyone misses Dwight at McQuarrie Middle School. With no Origami Yoda, Sara shows up with Fortune Wookie and Hans Foldo. She says Dwight threw them to her out his bedroom window. Tommy starts another case file to investigate whether or not the advice Fortune Wookie doles out is real. Meanwhile, everyone is concerned about Dwight at his new school. He is totally boring! Origami Yoda is in a picture frame at his house, he never gets in trouble, doesn't repeatedly say purple or sit in holes, and no one picks on him. He claims he's completely happy about how he's being accepted at Tippett Academy. Caroline doesn't believe he's happy, and Tommy tries to convince him to come back. As with the other books in the series, there are many words of wisdom along with the entertaining exploits of the kids and staff at McQuarrie. This one ends with a big problem. All the specials have been eliminated and replaced with FUNdamentals, a state test preparatory program. Looking forward to the next installment of this brilliant series!

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Jun 20, 2014 Kaethe rated it really liked it

The series overall remains strong. The art direction is excellent, with all the illustrations and different handwriting, and of course, the fortune telling wookie on the cover. Dwight is now at a new school, and Tommy's trying to find out how he's doing. Other kids are dealing with lesser issues (how to get out of eating the Big Pink at Thanksgiving). But Rabbski the principal is up to something...and then this volume is just over.

No doubt there are good reasons for ending it where he did, but i

No doubt there are good reasons for ending it where he did, but it felt like less than a full book. I am left wanting more just to finish this story.

Library copy.

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Apr 11, 2018 Carol rated it really liked it

This is completely different from other books of this type I have read. Tom Angleberger did it again! This book was great-- it had me laughing, and some times almost crying because of what was happening to Dwight. Angleberger picks up the story when Dwight leaves his former school to begin attending a new private school, which his almost girlfriend also attends, at this school Dwight is as normal as everyone else, he begins to lose who he is. Tommy, Dwight's almost best friend begins compiling a This is completely different from other books of this type I have read. Tom Angleberger did it again! This book was great-- it had me laughing, and some times almost crying because of what was happening to Dwight. Angleberger picks up the story when Dwight leaves his former school to begin attending a new private school, which his almost girlfriend also attends, at this school Dwight is as normal as everyone else, he begins to lose who he is. Tommy, Dwight's almost best friend begins compiling a new case file when Sara one of their friends (and almost girlfriend) arrived to school with the Fortune Wookie, telling everyone that Dwight had sent it. Through the information that Tommy's gather he begins to realize that Dwight is in trouble and he needs to be made aware that everyone misses him at his former school, even Principal Rabbski! The next book from Angleberger promise to be packed with interesting things since Oragamy Yoda has predicted the beginning of a war between Rabbski and students! Can't wait to read it.

This is the third book in a series. In the previous ones a boy in middle school named Dwight made an origami yoda that used the force to give advice. In this book, Dwight is going to a new school and has taken Yoda with him. A girl named Sara shows up at school with an origami Wookiee that helps solve problems. This book is about the stories of the different people who ask the Wookiee for help. It is also about the mystery of Dwight acting not acting like his normal self.

The character who showed the most change was Dwight. Dwight used to be weird. He would sit in holes, repeat the word purple, and most importantly make origami. Now he tries to be normal and not get in trouble. He is worried about fitting in and not getting made fun of, so he doesn't do any of the things he use to. His friends from his old school tell him how much they liked the old Dwight. Dwight remembers that everyone liked him better when he was Dwight do he went back to being himself. Dwight and his friends decide they want to get him back into his old school.

I think this was a pretty good book. I liked how it could be really funny at times and suspenseful at others. The characters in book seemed like real people and had interesting problems for the Wookiee to help with. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes comedy. It deserves 4.5 stars out of 5.

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In this book 3 of the 6 book series, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee brings together the same characters to start a new school year.
This time Dwight has been suspended from school leaving the rest of the gang without the advice of Origami Yoda. Ta-Da in steps Fortune Wookiee, whose advice (translated by Origami Han-Foldo) is not as obvious or enlightened as Origami Yoda, but just as valuable.
Once again the author brings us characters (school children) who actually deal with real world issues a In this book 3 of the 6 book series, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee brings together the same characters to start a new school year.
This time Dwight has been suspended from school leaving the rest of the gang without the advice of Origami Yoda. Ta-Da in steps Fortune Wookiee, whose advice (translated by Origami Han-Foldo) is not as obvious or enlightened as Origami Yoda, but just as valuable.
Once again the author brings us characters (school children) who actually deal with real world issues and manages to keep it light hearted and fun.
Like book 2 (and I imagine the others in the series) this is an easy, fun read that would do well to be read by parents to their children as a family fun pass time. And like book 2 this can be read as a stand alone by readers of any age.
This book includes simple and easy to follow instructions for making the Origami Fortune Wookiee and Origami Han-Foldo.
Another good read in the series, that can and will be enjoyed by everyone ...more

😀This book started out with Tommy saying how boring it is without Dwight and origami Yoda and why there is no reason to make a case file without him. But, like...a DAY later, Sara made a fortune Wookie and everyone believed in it (she also made Han Foldo)😀. It was going pretty well until Harvey noticed that the fortune Wookie had 9 answers but, it only had 8 flaps, so the fortune Wookie turned out to be fake. Meanwhile Dwight turned out to be NOT wearing his origami Yoda puppet anymore so Tommy 😀This book started out with Tommy saying how boring it is without Dwight and origami Yoda and why there is no reason to make a case file without him. But, like...a DAY later, Sara made a fortune Wookie and everyone believed in it (she also made Han Foldo)😀. It was going pretty well until Harvey noticed that the fortune Wookie had 9 answers but, it only had 8 flaps, so the fortune Wookie turned out to be fake. Meanwhile Dwight turned out to be NOT wearing his origami Yoda puppet anymore so Tommy went over to Dwight's house to see him. Dwight told Tommy that his mom told him not to open the door so Tommy went through the doggy door😀. It turned out that Dwight told everybody in his class how to make origami Yoda so Dwight didn't need his origami Yoda anymore (the OTHER origami Yodas made REALLY bad advice like"fast and sloppy you may write, take off points Nelson does not" and "many abbreviations you may use, read the whole thing Nelson does not,hmm?" and "Write sentences in front of TV I do, thinking is required not"). Sorry that shouldn't have been in parenthesis, I mean that WAS bad advice right? Anyways, Dwight didn't want to go back to McQuarrie so Tommy gave Dwight the "Dwight File" with a bunch of people saying that Dwight is awesome so Dwight decided that he loved McQuarrie again😀. So, well ...............that's it! Until the next book...........(that is NOT funny 😠). (REALLY not funny 😠) ...more

Jun 26, 2017 Leah rated it really liked it

This was a fun and funny story. I would have like more Origami Yoda and Dwight, but I did enjoy Fortune Wookie (Chewbacca) and Han Foldo. Those were the funniest parts. I liked that even though this story was quite silly there was still a lesson to be learned with what happened to the characters, notably Harvey. I probably should have started with the first book. Although, the important points were covered in this book, which was nice for readers like myself that skipped the first two books, so This was a fun and funny story. I would have like more Origami Yoda and Dwight, but I did enjoy Fortune Wookie (Chewbacca) and Han Foldo. Those were the funniest parts. I liked that even though this story was quite silly there was still a lesson to be learned with what happened to the characters, notably Harvey. I probably should have started with the first book. Although, the important points were covered in this book, which was nice for readers like myself that skipped the first two books, so I didn't feel lost while reading this book. ...more

Good third installment to the Origami Yoda series. This is a fun series to listen to on audiobook because of the way it's written and divided into case files or sections from each student. They each get a chance to tell their part of the story and give their opinion.

Oct 28, 2012 Lisa Godfrees rated it it was amazing

Have you heard of origami yoda? If you haven't, you are seriously missing out. I know these books are more for the Diary of a Wimpy Kid audience, but if you are a Star Wars fan of any age, you will love these books. And they're not just for boys either – my daughter likes them, as do I. Let's face it, Star Wars is for everyone. :)

Anyway, I just finished this book tonight with my daughter and we are already looking forward to the next installment, Art2-D2 coming March 2013.

So what's the theology

Anyway, I just finished this book tonight with my daughter and we are already looking forward to the next installment, Art2-D2 coming March 2013.

So what's the theology skinny on these books?

Theology: Look to the force you should

God is not discussed in any way, shape, or form in these novels. The kids look to these origami characters for advice, some might consider it prophesy or fortune telling (I don't personally). So some parents might have concerns. If you're the kind of parent that didn't want your kids to read Harry Potter because it was about witchcraft, then you probably won't like these books for your kids either. But we're not talking ouija boards or the occult here, we're talking about a creative expression of kid wisdom. It's a fun read with a lot of Star Wars references, and I don't worry that my daughter is going to seek spiritual guidance from folded paper. Don't take it from me, read it and decide for yourself if you're worried.

Rating: G

The only profanity looks like this – #$%&!!!. Good, family friendly fun. Nothing to worry about.

Social Issues

The themes in this book are individualism vs. conformity. Acceptance for who you are, not who people think you are. There is some fun poked at ridiculous school administration initiatives and teachers that don't 'get it.' The library is the only cool place to hang out (because the librarian is cool, of course).

This is the third book in a series. So you might want to check out the first two before you read this one. They are all good reads. And with origami instructions at the back of the books, how can you go wrong?

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Mum: So, first things first: how many stars?

LRN: Four. Usually my reviews are five stars, but this book had one thing that was bad.

Mum: Yeah? What?

LRN: Two whole pages were crammed with...the page was called "I was right" and the page just going on and on and on with "I was right".

Mum: Okay, so what's the plot? Is Dwight, the weird kid with the Origami Yoda in the first couple of books, still working his oracular magic?

LRN: No, apparently he's at this new school, and he's gotten so good he does

Mum: So, first things first: how many stars?

LRN: Four. Usually my reviews are five stars, but this book had one thing that was bad.

Mum: Yeah? What?

LRN: Two whole pages were crammed with...the page was called "I was right" and the page just going on and on and on with "I was right".

Mum: Okay, so what's the plot? Is Dwight, the weird kid with the Origami Yoda in the first couple of books, still working his oracular magic?

LRN: No, apparently he's at this new school, and he's gotten so good he doesn't bring his fortune teller to school.

Mum: So who has the fortune wookiee? [Editorial comment: the fact that Angleberger spells wookiee right is awesome]

LRN: Sara, Tommy's "girlfriend".

Mum: Why the air quotes?

LRN: Because they haven't gone on a date or anything.

Mum: Anything else you want to say?

LRN: There's also another finger puppet: Han Foldo.

Mum: Snort.

LRN: He basically translates the Fortune Wookiee.

Mum: Because the gag is that the Fortune Wookiee only speaks in grunts and noises, right? Like this:

all of chewbacca's lines from star wars, which is a bunch of grunts and noises, in a paneled comic

LRN: Sort of like that. More like "WUG!" or "MUUURRGH!!"

Mum: Gotta love the non-standard comic noises. Who would you recommend this to?

LRN: My friend Nico, who has read the first two origami books, but not this one.

Mum: Should we end with your origami creations?

LRN: You know what they say? End it with a bang.

Mum: Word.

origami sand trooper

origami luke skywalker

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Tom Anglbergers's third installment in the Origami Yoda series, The Secret of the Fortune Wookie, is packed with another case file and mystery to be solved. This time Dwight has gone to a new school and "supposedly" left behind this fortune Wookie. Is the force really with this one, or is it all a trick? See Tommy, Sara, Kellen, and Harvey all face new dilemma's and test the advice given by the Fortune Wookie. Read along and wait to find out if Dwight will ever come back from his new school and Tom Anglbergers's third installment in the Origami Yoda series, The Secret of the Fortune Wookie, is packed with another case file and mystery to be solved. This time Dwight has gone to a new school and "supposedly" left behind this fortune Wookie. Is the force really with this one, or is it all a trick? See Tommy, Sara, Kellen, and Harvey all face new dilemma's and test the advice given by the Fortune Wookie. Read along and wait to find out if Dwight will ever come back from his new school and if he does will he be the same? I really enjoyed this installment in the series because the students really start to understand and appreciate just how different Dwight is/was. I also enjoyed the little twist at the end... all I will say is "Girl Power." The way the author tied in the reality of schools cutting programs for testing purposes was unique. The effects this will have on the characters will be intriguing to see in the next novel. Read book you will, lessons you will learn, 5 stars you will give. ...more

I love this third installment of the Origami Yoda franchise. Noah and I read the ARC of the original, sent to us by Teresa Rolfe Kravtin on our way to Disney World a couple of years ago. Since then, we have had these books that we share together, getting excited as the release dates arrive. Noah (12) gobbles these books up and he reaches heroic status when he shows up at school with the latest book.

In The Secret of the Fortune Wookie, Angleberger sends us back to the Lucasfilm vaults to check so

In The Secret of the Fortune Wookie, Angleberger sends us back to the Lucasfilm vaults to check some of the references to characters we might of missed in the first viewing. I love the quirky, unapologetic nerdiness that this research must require.

There's a whole new cast of fold-ables in this new one. So get ready for a table full of folding paper and Sharpie markers.

Tom, bring on the fourth book, you will.

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Oct 29, 2012 Arsh M rated it it was amazing

Right now I am reading the book The Secret of Fortune Wokiee by Tom Angleberger. I think its a good book because it has funny chapters.Each time I read I can't take my eyes of it and want to read it all day. I'm at the part where a kid named Mike needs help but a Fortune Wokiee but all Fortune Wokiee does is growl. I think the author does a good job explaining how McQuarrie Middle School can face their problems without Dwight and origami Yoda. I think this book is going to be good because the fi Right now I am reading the book The Secret of Fortune Wokiee by Tom Angleberger. I think its a good book because it has funny chapters.Each time I read I can't take my eyes of it and want to read it all day. I'm at the part where a kid named Mike needs help but a Fortune Wokiee but all Fortune Wokiee does is growl. I think the author does a good job explaining how McQuarrie Middle School can face their problems without Dwight and origami Yoda. I think this book is going to be good because the first book got a badge and won the bluebonnet contest.My Favorite character is Fortune Wokiee because he is funny. I can't wait to finish this book.I recommend this book to you if you like humor. ...more

Dec 06, 2012 Cameron G. rated it really liked it

I recently finished the book The Secret of The Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger. When Dwight leaves McQuarie Middle school and takes advice-giving origami yoda with him, the rest of his old school doesn't know what decisions to make when Dwight's friend Sarah comes up with an idea. She folds a fortine teller, makes it look like a Wookie(from Star Wars), and claims that it has origami yodas's "magic" of predicting the future and giving advice. I like this book because of the funny cast of chara I recently finished the book The Secret of The Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger. When Dwight leaves McQuarie Middle school and takes advice-giving origami yoda with him, the rest of his old school doesn't know what decisions to make when Dwight's friend Sarah comes up with an idea. She folds a fortine teller, makes it look like a Wookie(from Star Wars), and claims that it has origami yodas's "magic" of predicting the future and giving advice. I like this book because of the funny cast of character and how un-expected twists happen. I can relate to the main character Tommy because he is funny and likes Star Wars. I would recomend this to whoever likes witty, funny books. ...more

Feb 25, 2016 Paul rated it really liked it

I thought this was a great book. I thought this because, it had a lot of drama, and more different characters so it made the book more intresting. If there were no new characters, I wouldn't read as many books as I do now. I thought this was a great book. I thought this because, it had a lot of drama, and more different characters so it made the book more intresting. If there were no new characters, I wouldn't read as many books as I do now. ...more

Apr 27, 2012 Sylvia rated it it was amazing

Hilarious. Looking forward reading one of Tom Angleberger's other origami Star Wars books Hilarious. Looking forward reading one of Tom Angleberger's other origami Star Wars books ...more

Mar 09, 2013 Josiah rated it it was ok

One might look at The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, or any of the books in Tom Angleberger's enormously successful Origami Yoda series, and on first impression assume they are all about humor. That impression would not be accurate, however. There is an ample amount of humor in the books, for sure, but Tom Angleberger never makes a story without utilizing the full palette of literary colors, mixing shades of middle-school wisdom, intriguing plot design and spot-on characterization to paint a co One might look at The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, or any of the books in Tom Angleberger's enormously successful Origami Yoda series, and on first impression assume they are all about humor. That impression would not be accurate, however. There is an ample amount of humor in the books, for sure, but Tom Angleberger never makes a story without utilizing the full palette of literary colors, mixing shades of middle-school wisdom, intriguing plot design and spot-on characterization to paint a complete novel, not lacking in any regard. Picking up where Darth Paper Strikes Back ended, with Dwight Tharp suspended for the rest of the semester and assigned to attend another school until he's allowed back, we find even Dwight's closest friends having doubts about whether or not it's best for Dwight to retain his somewhat eccentric personality. Dwight himself may have doubts, which makes it all the more important for Tommy to start putting together another case file to help arrive at some answers, especially when a new origami Star Wars finger puppet enters the scene.

When Tommy's girlfriend, Sara, shows up to school with an origami Chewbacca (actually a kirigami Chewbacca, since it's formed out of multiple, cut sheets of paper) made to be used as a traditional cootie catcher fortune teller, it looks as if the craziness at McQuarrie Middle School isn't about to end because Dwight is temporarily out of action. Kirigami Chewbacca can't communicate on his own, though, since he speaks only in grunts, moans and low wails. He needs a sidekick, and who better to play the part than Sara's new origami creation, Han Foldo? Of course, Chewbacca and Han Foldo have more than just Sara's wisdom to back their advice. It was Dwight who gave Chewbacca to Sara, she announces to Tommy and the gang. That must mean the mysterious force which allowed Origami Yoda to dispense its pearls of wisdom in the past has now been delegated to Chewbacca, at least until Dwight is able to return to McQuarrie. The idea seems a reasonable one when Chewbacca quickly proves as trustworthy as Origami Yoda had been, fixing problems and presenting the truth even when there is no quick fix to be had. Harvey is as skeptical as ever, making it his mission to decry Sara's Chewbacca to anyone who will listen and prove the kirigami wookiee is nothing but a charade, but results speak for themselves. The advice being dispensed by the fortune wookiee is too good to believe it's all a trick.

Might there be more to the existence of the kirigami wookiee, however, than Tommy or his friends have guessed, despite Chewbacca's impressive track record? While Tommy and the others work to figure out the secret of the fortune wookiee, Dwight's situation at his new school is becoming increasingly stranger. The same idiosyncrasies for which he was routinely punished at McQuarrie are considered no problem at all in the new school, and are often even encouraged by the faculty. In fact, the other students in Dwight's homeroom have all made their own Yoda finger puppets, further marginalizing Dwight's Origami Yoda. Surrounded by students ambivalent to asking for Origami Yoda's advice and not inclined to follow its wisdom when offered, Dwight has shown a rapid trend toward behavior that for most would be considered normal, but for him is the exact opposite. What is really behind Dwight's willingness to shed everything that makes him special and act like a drone, when his friends at McQuarrie know there is so much more to him? If Tommy can't get to the root of the problem quickly enough, it could mean a permanent goodbye to Dwight, who is considering staying at his new school even after the suspension at McQuarrie has been lifted. Can Tommy find the right combination of words to let Dwight know there's no substitute for being who he truly is, even when being that person so often brings trouble into his life?

If there's a main point around which this story is centered, it's the words of kirigami Chewbacca as translated by Han Foldo on page one hundred forty-two, in response to Harvey's query about why people think him to be a jerk. "Not everyone speaks Wookiee," Han Foldo responds, which I think answers more than Harvey's personally specific inquiry. So much of the reason Harvey clashes with his peers is his driving need to prove he's right and everyone else is wrong, and to Harvey that's normal because it's what he feels the need to do. The other kids see it as annoying, rude, and sometimes even mean, but Harvey has a difficult time seeing it their way because proving himself right is simply part of his mental makeup. This sort of dissonance is, generally speaking, the larger reason for so much miscommunication and so many instances of hurt feelings between people, I believe. The way we look at the world differs from the way our friends and peers see it, and that disconnect accounts for boatloads of pain. If we would take it to heart to remember the truth that "Not everyone speaks Wookiee," it might do us a lot of good in our dealings with others. It could even help us understand the reactions of others who think us peculiar for being who we are, as hard as such unfair ridicule still may be to endure. This may also be the key for Tommy in trying to restore the Dwight everyone knows, especially if he can persuade Dwight to let the original Origami Yoda back into the picture to dispense one more round of advice. There's more to who we are as people than the perceptions of outsiders and trying to fit in with those perceptions. As Yoda says, "Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."

I'm partial to Tom Angleberger's writing, and might consider two and a half stars for The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee. More noticeably than in the first two books of the series, this one leads directly to the plot of the next, giving us a preview of what's likely to happen and setting the stage for the biggest Origami Yoda showdown yet. I look forward to the fourth book, and I recommend The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee to everyone who has had a good time so far with the first two volumes in the series.

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Jan 09, 2018 Cheryl rated it liked it

Such a fun series. It focuses on the theme of empathy, but there's plenty of gross humor and a variety of characters to appeal to a variety of readers. Book five is the best, imo, because it gets really wise, as the kids learn that adults are people too. Book six is odd - like someone got called in from the bench to write it for Tom. But if you don't stop after book one, you'll want to read them all, and to do so in order. (This review copied to all.) Such a fun series. It focuses on the theme of empathy, but there's plenty of gross humor and a variety of characters to appeal to a variety of readers. Book five is the best, imo, because it gets really wise, as the kids learn that adults are people too. Book six is odd - like someone got called in from the bench to write it for Tom. But if you don't stop after book one, you'll want to read them all, and to do so in order. (This review copied to all.) ...more

Cute story. Great for Star Wars fans and reluctant readers.

Jan 24, 2018 AIDEN HOLBROOK rated it really liked it

In the third installment of the "Origami Yoda series" Dwight is expelled and attends Tippett Academy this semester, the kids of McQuarrie Middle School are on their own—no Origami Yoda to give advice and help them navigate the horrible events of their middle school. Then Sara gets a gift she says is from Dwight,a paper fortune, teller in the form of Chewbacca. It's a Fortune Wookiee, and it seems to give advice that's just as good as Yoda's, even if, in the hands of the girls, it seems too preoc In the third installment of the "Origami Yoda series" Dwight is expelled and attends Tippett Academy this semester, the kids of McQuarrie Middle School are on their own—no Origami Yoda to give advice and help them navigate the horrible events of their middle school. Then Sara gets a gift she says is from Dwight,a paper fortune, teller in the form of Chewbacca. It's a Fortune Wookiee, and it seems to give advice that's just as good as Yoda's, even if, in the hands of the girls, it seems too preoccupied with romance. In the meantime, Dwight is fitting in a little too well at Tippett. Has the unimaginable happened? Has Dwight become normal? It's up to his old friends at McQuarrie to remind their kooky friend that it's in his weirdness that his greatness lies.
I really enjoyed the humor and the writing style of this book and if you love humor you should definitely pick this book up too ...more

Mar 05, 2021 Anna Marie rated it really liked it

Another Star Wars character in origami form dispensing bon mots of wisdom. Great story, funny, and meaningful.

Nov 15, 2020 Nathan G rated it really liked it

I was in the library to pick up my summer reading books, when suddenly this book caught my eye. It was called Origami Yoda. I am a huge fan of Star Wars so i decided to give the book a try. I loved it, so I set out to continue reading the series. This is the third book in the series and it's called The Secret Of the Fortune Wookiee.

Dwight has now moved schools and is attending Tippet Academy this year. The students of McQuarrie Middle School are not allowed to make origami because of the huge co

Dwight has now moved schools and is attending Tippet Academy this year. The students of McQuarrie Middle School are not allowed to make origami because of the huge commotion it caused them last year. The students do not know how to handle their situations because they all depended on Dwight to help them with his foreseeing future ability he acquired when he had origami Yoda. Just when everyone had given hope, Sara said she received a gift from Dwight- an origami Chewbacca! At first, people are hesitant to open up to the origami Chewbacca because they didn't believe it could give good advice like Origami` Yoda, but soon people see that it gives advice on par with the Yoda. Meanwhile, Dwight is fitting right in at Tippet Academy. This seems very weird because Dwight is a weird kid and didn't fit in McQuarrie Middle School. In Tippet, it looks like he has become "normal" and doesn't want anything to do with origami. It is up to Dwight's friends to remind Dwight who he really is and to get him to be himself again.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book because it had a lot of twists and turns. I also like that they changed the scenery up a bit and made Sara (a girl) somewhat of a main character because she owned the Fortune Wookiee. I also liked how Dwight changed how he acted when he went to a new school because it is a lot more realistic and would most likely happen in real life.

What I didn't like about the book was that it was a lot less exciting than the two previous novels beforehand. It also felt a little weird that Dwight was missing for most of the book because he was like the heart and soul of the book, the person that every reader loves. But other than that, I really enjoyed reading the book and I would definitely recommend this book to others.

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When Dwight created Origami Yoda, he convinced almost every one of his classmates that he could actually summon the Force to get Yoda to help them with their problems. Now, with Dwight at a new school, everyone is at a loss - that is, until Sara shows up at school with Fortune Wookiee. She claims that Dwight, who has otherwise been acting strange, threw him to her from his window, and that he intends him to be used in the same was as Yoda, to answer important life questions. Because Fortune Wook When Dwight created Origami Yoda, he convinced almost every one of his classmates that he could actually summon the Force to get Yoda to help them with their problems. Now, with Dwight at a new school, everyone is at a loss - that is, until Sara shows up at school with Fortune Wookiee. She claims that Dwight, who has otherwise been acting strange, threw him to her from his window, and that he intends him to be used in the same was as Yoda, to answer important life questions. Because Fortune Wookiee only speaks in grunts and roars, Sara also creates Han Foldo to be his interpreter. Before long, another case file is underway, once again trying to determine the legitimacy of an origami Star Wars creation's abilities to solve middle school problems.

This series has such a great premise, it's no wonder that kids eat these books up. Kids love Star Wars, and most kids are intrigued by origami, even if they have never folded any. This third book in the series manages to keep things interesting by taking Dwight out of the equation and letting the girls have a chance to sort of be in control and set the tone for the wookiee's questions and answers. (I'm sure this is why Angleberger chose a fortune teller for the paper folding technique this time - those things are always so popular among girls!) This shift gives the series a chance to try something new, and introduces new story possibilities into the already-established universe. The case file also does a nice job of gathering basic clues that careful readers can piece together to figure out the twist at the end of the story.

As in the previous books of the series, I still had a hard time managing the huge cast of characters. Some characters like Dwight and Murky have such quirky personalities that they're easy to remember, but others are just names to me, or styles of handwriting, and I find them to be somewhat interchangeable. I realize that the illustrations do give us a hint as to what the characters look like, which might help a more visual reader, but I don't tend to spend much time on illustrations if there's text to be read, so those faces are just as meaningless to me as the names. I wish there were more textual cues to the different personalities - that's the one thing that is lacking in each of these books. The plot is interesting, and the case file contributions are interesting, but the characters feel flat and I can't connect with them emotionally.

Still, though, I'm dying to know what happens next, and I was thrilled to see Yoda's message on the final page of the book: "The end this is? Way no!"

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Jan 14, 2015 Karol Sigda rated it it was amazing

** WARNIG SPOiLERS AHEAD ** Hey did you miss me? No? Well time for a realistic fiction book review. Also I am anoncing that this is my last origami Yoda book I'm doing a book review on. It's no good reason ( my mom ).
It's in McQuarrie middle school. The major events are that Dwight needs no has to go back to McQuarrie and Harvey even thinks it's a good thing that he's there because he's acting normal which is actually not him. Also his new "friends" just treat him like a class pet not a real p ** WARNIG SPOiLERS AHEAD ** Hey did you miss me? No? Well time for a realistic fiction book review. Also I am anoncing that this is my last origami Yoda book I'm doing a book review on. It's no good reason ( my mom ).
It's in McQuarrie middle school. The major events are that Dwight needs no has to go back to McQuarrie and Harvey even thinks it's a good thing that he's there because he's acting normal which is actually not him. Also his new "friends" just treat him like a class pet not a real person which is rude not nice like they say it is. But the kids back at his old school ( the main characters ) need him back at their school because they a clueless doofuses without Dwight's origami Yoda. Then Tommy ( main character ) gat convinces him to go back and well they have a new enemy called Funtime and it is really evil and expensive.
Let's have some reviewers opinions. Well Harvey's a jerk. I agree with that but he actually is just misunderstood he just think he is being funny or smart or even cool. Dwight was better of at TIPPETT. I'd agree with that but it was weird that Dwight was without origami Yoda.
Here are some more. Sara was mean to make a fortune Wookiee just to get Kellen unhung from Rhondella. I agree with that but it wasn't really her idea it was Rhondella's idea. The TIPPETT kids where really nice to him. I would aree with but they were just pretending.
In conclusion I felt like this book was intense that's why I gave it 5 stars. As always I recommend this to all of you who like the origami Yoda books. I hope you enjoy the last origami Yoda books I'll ever do a book review on. I also hope you enjoy my book reviews on smash and if you want me to be able to actually do another book review on another origami Yoda book Peres the like button. Bye,squids,cake. ...more

Tom Angleberger artist-turned-writer. He is a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia, and began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. He lives in Christianburg, Virginia. Tom Angleberger artist-turned-writer. He is a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia, and began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. He lives in Christianburg, Virginia. ...more