The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

by Tom Angleberger
Amulet Books, 2010

GENRE: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Humor, Romance, Tie-In Novel

HONORS: 2011 E.B. White Read Aloud Award Winner

REVIEW:  In the sixth grade, communicating with your classmates through an origami finger puppet isn’t exactly “cool,” but that’s exactly what Dwight does with his Origami Yoda, handing out Yoda-like advice and wisdom to anyone who asks for help. When the advice and predictions turn out to be true, Tommy can’t figure out how Yoda can be so smart while Dwight is such a socially awkward dope. Tommy starts compiling a series of case files in order to decide.

OPINION: Almost 40 years after its release, Star Wars continues to be insanely popular with adults, teens and kids, so with “Yoda” in the title the book has an established appeal. I enjoyed that the book touched on a variety of different genres including humor, realistic fiction and a touch of pre-teen romance, all conveyed from the unique angle of case files.

IDEAS: The obvious tie-in to this book would be to have an origami program where tweens and teens can fold a variety of things including Origami Yoda himself. The instructions for folding yoda are included in the back of the book.

Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse: Queen of the World!

by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Random House, 2005

 

GENRE: Graphic Novel, Humor, Fantasy

HONORS: 2006 Gryphon Award Winner, 2006 ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2006 New York Book Show Award

REVIEW:  Babymouse is a “sassy young mouse” who laments the monotony of everyday and dreams of glamour, excitement and adventure and being the Queen of the World! But she isn’t Queen of the World, or even Queen of the School… That title belongs to Felicia Furrypaws who just happens to be having a sleepover and Babymouse is dying to get invited. 

OPINION: Printed in pink, black and white, this is quite possibly the cutest graphic novel I’ve encountered. Cuteness aside, Babymouse is a very likeable character with a big imagination and inquisitive nature. It seemed like a fantasy version of The Dork Diaries, but in a really good way.

IDEAS: Babymouse would be a great introduction to graphic novels for young girls for inclusion in a graphic novel display. It could also be included in a display along with books like Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (film) by 20th Century Fox

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Film
by 20th Century Fox, 2010

GENRE: Comedy, Humor, Juvenile Satire

HONORS: None known

REVIEW:  Going from the top of the chain of 5^th grade at elementary school to the bottom of the pile in 6^th grade in middle school can be daunting, and this is the challenge 11-year-old Greg Heffley is facing. Greg make every effort to be cool and fit in, including trying to change his seemingly uncool and often embarrassing best friend Rowley. Much to his surprise, his efforts backfire and Rowley’s popularity starts rising, leaving Greg behind alone and uncool. Can he make things right?

OPINION: I read the book a few years ago and was excited to finally see the movie adaptation.  I recall greatly disliking Greg’s character in the book, since he seemed kind of mean and selfish, and while the movie covered much of the same scenarios, Greg was much more likeable.

IDEAS: I love the concept of the “Book to Film Club” and this book and movie would be a great introduction to this kind of concept. It gets participants excited about reading, and then encourages them analyze what they’ve read when they compare the book to the movie.

Zombiekins by Kevin Bolger, illustrated by Aaron Blecha

Zombiekins
by Kevin Bolger, illustrated by Aaron Blecha
Greenwillow, 2010

GENRE: Horror, Humor

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: Fourth grader Stanley Nudelman stumbles onto a yard sale at Dementedyville’s eccentric Old Lady Imavitch’s house and finds a sort of creepy but cute treasure: a sort of half teddy/half bunny stuffy called Zombiekins. Eager to show off his new toy, Stanley brings Zombiekins to school and winds up unleashing a zombie outbreak! Can he save his school and the world?

OPINION: The zombie apocalypse is a common topic of movie, television and books, but usually from a serious or scary point of view. With fun illustrations and a silly writing style, Zombiekins provides entertaining and humorous take on the subject and teaches us that zombies don’t really want brains, they want taffy!

IDEAS: Zombiekins would be a great addition to a Halloween or Zombie display or programming such as a “zombies vs. vampires” event.

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown

Children Make Terrible Pets
by Peter Brown
Little, Brown, 2010

GENRE: Picture Books, Humor

HONORS: 2012 Carnegie Medal Winner

REVIEW: Lucy, a young bear, finds a boy in the woods and begs her mother “Can I keep him??” Her mother warns that children make terrible pets, but allows Lucy to keep him as long as she accepts all responsibility for him. Join Lucy on her day of fun with her new pet Squeaker, and decide for yourself what kind of pets children make.

OPINION: The illustrations are absolutely adorable, and what initially drew me to this book. They appear to be a combination of paper piecing and hand drawn, but overall completely adorable and captivating and perfectly accompany this quirky take on the “first pet” scenario.

IDEAS: This would be a great book to include in a display of picture books that appeal to a wide age range.

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker

The Frog Princess
by E.D. Baker
Bloosbury, 2002

GENRE: Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling, Humor

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: Princess Emeralda, or Emma for short isn’t the stereotypical princess. She’s a little awkward, quirky and as a laugh like a donkey. Her mother wants her to marry the vain prince Jorge, but when she meets a frog who claims he will transform into a prince with a kiss from a princess, she decides that anything is better than a life with Jorge and gives in. Only, the spell backfires and Emma becomes a frog and the two set out on an adventure to return them both to their natural form.

OPINION: I had trouble finding tween books with romance, until finding this series. The story was cute and romantic without getting overly sappy.

IDEAS: This would be good in a display of fairy tale retellings or juvenile romance.

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
by Rachel Renee Russell
Aladdin, 2009

GENRE: Humor

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: As part of the contract for his bug extermination business contract, Nikki Maxwell’s father has gotten her a scholarship to attend a fancy private middle school called Westchester Country Day. Finding it difficult to fit in with the new students, Nikki spends most of her time writing in her diary. She soon befriends a couple of likeminded girls named Cloe and Zoey, but finds a cruel enemy in her locker neighbor, Mackenzie Hollister.

OPINION: This book is a cute answer to Diary of a Wimpy kid that targets a female audience. Some of the dialog can be a little over the top girly, with some repetitive descriptions/tropes (“but I just said it in my head, so no one heard it but me.”), but over all I found the book to be clever, funny and entertaining.

IDEAS: This would make a good addition to a display for Diary of a Wimpy kid read alikes along with Planet Tad.

Planet Tad by Tim Carvell

Planet Tad 
by Tim Carvell
MAD/Harper, 2012

GENRE: Humor, Juvenile Satire

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: On New Year’s Day, seventh grader Tad started a blog on the new (ish) computer he received for Christmas and in his first post, stated the following resolutions: finish seventh grade, figure out how to do a kickflip on his skateboard, get girls to notice him, and finally start shaving. What follows in the pages of Planet Tad is a year of near daily entertaining posts of amusing observation and unique insight into the mind of a hilarious seventh grade boy.

OPINION: Written by an Emmy Award winning writer of the daily show with glowing recommendations from the likes of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart adorning the cover, I was naturally drawn to this book, and it did not disappoint. Written in blog format with accompanying illustrations, I found this book to be a quick read that will appeal to children and adults alike.

IDEAS: Humor is an underrated category and this book would fit in perfectly in a display highlighting great humor in juvenile literature. Another option would be to include it in a display or bookmark of Diary of a Wimpy Kid read-alikes.