Brown, Jeffrey.
Jedi Academy. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc, 2013. Print.
ISBN: 9780545505178
Audience: Ages 8-12, Grade 3-6
Summary:
Roan has always wanted to go to Pilot
School like his father and brother, but he gets rejected and sent to Jedi
Academy instead. There he meets an eccentric cast of veteran Jedi Knights
(including Master Yoda) as well as the other students who have been training
all their lives. Roan has some trouble learning to use the force and fitting in
at first, but he ends up a success and makes new friends in the process.
Strengths: Obviously, this is an extremely
high interest story that could lead students to more complicated texts. The
illustrations would be very helpful for below-level readers and for ESOL
learners. The humor is grade appropriate and the subject matter is very
accessible – the narrative is actually a typical coming of age story.
Weaknesses:
There is not a lot of challenging vocabulary,
and some students may not be interested in the subject matter. Background knowledge
of the Star Wars universe is helpful for the reader.
Uses: Using the Star Wars movies or other
materials, you could compare and contrast the graphic novel experience (CCSS
ELA:RL.7 Grades 4-6). This book would be excellent for discussing literary
structure since it has a strong problem/solution arc (CCSS ELA: RL.5 Grades
2-5). There are many charts, graphs, and
other graphics that could used as a fun introduction to text features. (CCSS
ELA:RI.8 Grades 4-6). Art teachers could
use the illustrations to talk about graphic design and line drawings. This book is perfectly suited to put in the
hands of reluctant readers, especially boys, and would be high interest for
many students.
Read-alikes:
·
Jedi Academy series –
Jeffrey Brown (the continuation of the same series)
·
Darth Vader and
Son –
Jeffrey Brown (another comic set in the Star Wars universe by the same author)
·
The Strange
Case of Origami Yoda - Tom Angleberger (series
about origami Star Wars figures that sort-of come to life)
·
Diary of a
Wimpy Kid – Jeff
Kinney (series that follows a boy as he goes through elementary school and into
middle school)
·
Star Wars:
Clone Wars Adventures- Haden Blackman (comic series set in the Star Wars universe)
·
Amulet – Kazu
Kibuishi (graphic novel about two ordinary kids who end up in a fantasy world)
Other:
Starred review in Booklist
