The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
By: Tom Angleberger
Publisher: Amulet Books
Copyright: 2010
Genre: Humorous stories/Fiction
Summary: Can a yoda finger puppet really dispense good advice and also see
into the future? Different middle school kids have varying opinions and take
turns telling their stories about Origami Yoda.
BOOKTALK: Can a yoda finger puppet, created by a slightly eccentric student,
really predict the future and give good advice? Is this a joke? Students at
McQuarrie Middle School who have a problem are seeking out Dwight, a lazy,
kind of weird, kind of crazy classmate who has folded a sheet of paper to look
like Yoda, from Star Wars. When a classmate comes to him, Dwight takes out
Yoda and perches him on his finger, ready to listen to whatever troubles the
student has. Then, using Dwight as a medium, Yoda dispenses his words of
wisdom. Each student at McQuarrie takes a turn at telling their story of how
Origami Yoda answered their questions (Or didn't answer their questions. It all
depends on how you look at it!). Three friends in particular, Tommy, Harvey, and
Kellen, put the stories together in this "case file," and the whole thing becomes,
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. What will you decide after reading through
the stories? Is Origami Yoda for real? Or is Dwight playing the biggest joke in
school history? (*Using your best Yoda impression*) To formulate an answer,
read this book, you must.
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3172535.Tom_Angleberger
Other books written by the author:
Darth Paper Strikes Back
Horton Halfpott
CHALLENGING WORDS
p. 1 origami
p. 2 humiliation
p. 7 smirk, outcasts
Revised 03/07/08
p. 15 laughingstock
p. 22 skeptical, malarkey
p. 40 overrules
p. 49 sentimental
p. 51 calamity
p. 56 sarcastic
p. 81 brayed
p. 98 muzzle
p. 122 constructive criticism
p. 133 stall
p. 136 hoax
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Why do some of the students believe in Origami Yoda, and some think he is a fraud?
2. Would you take advice from Origami Yoda? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think Origami Yoda speaks in riddles?
4. Do you think peoples opinion of Dwight changes once Origami Yoda gives all of this
advice? Why or why not?
5. Do you know a kid like Dwight? How do people treat him/her? How should this kid be
treated?
6. Cassie broke the teacher’s replica of Shakespeare. What would you have done if this
happened to you?
7. How did Origami Yoda seem to have answers to so many problems?
8. What question would you ask Origami Yoda?
9. Which character did the illustrations in Origami Yoda?
10. What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
11. Even if Origami Yoda is not real, his advice/predictions still worked. Give an example of this.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:
Language Arts:
1. Use ReadWriteThink's Character Trading Cards interactive
(http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-
Revised 03/07/08
interactives/character-trading-cards-30056.html) to create cards for
Tommy, Kellen, Harvey, Dwight, Lance, Mike, and Quavondo.
4.RL.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific
details in the text.
5.RL.3 Compare and contrast two or more character, settings, or events in a story or drama,
drawing on specific details in the text
2. Use the directions in the back of the book to fold a paper yoda. Whether
it's a success or not, prepare to tell the class the 3 most challenging parts
of the paper-folding process.
4.SL.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount and experience in an organized manner,
using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak
clearly at an understandable pace.
5.SL.4 Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using
appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly
at an understandable pace.
6.SL.4 Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions,
facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate
volume, and clear pronunciation.
3. Write a letter to Tom Angleberger, telling him your favorite part of the
book and why it was your favorite part.
4.W.1, 5.W.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and
information.
4.W.4, 5.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
4.L.1, 5.L1, 6.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
4.L.2, 5.L.2, 6.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
4. Research the history of origami. Write a page about the topic.
4.W.2, 5.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly.
6.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and
information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Revised 03/07/08
4.L.1, 5.L1, 6.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
4.L.2, 5.L.2, 6.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Other: List activities and Indiana State Standards Grades 4-6 they address here
1. Check out an origami book from the library and create some pieces of
your own. Follow instructions carefully!
Visual Arts - Standard 7
Understand and apply elements and principles of design in personal works of art, utilizing a
variety of media, tools, and processes
4.7.2 Identify and discriminate between types of lines (characteristics, quality), shapes (geometric
and organic), textures (tactile and visual), colors (primary, secondary, complementary, tints, and
shades), space (placement, perspective, overlap, negative, positive, size), balance (symmetrical,
asymmetrical, radial), and the use of proportion, rhythm, variety, repetition, and movement in own
work and the works of others.
5.7.2 Identify and discriminate between types of lines (characteristics, quality), shapes (geometric
and organic), textures (tactile and visual), colors (primary, secondary, complementary,
intermediates, neutrals, tints, tones, shades, and values), space (background, middle ground,
foreground, placment, perspective, overlap, negative, converging lines, positive, size, color),
balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial), and the use of proportion, rhythm, variety, repetition,
and movement in own work and the works of others.
6.7.2 Identify and discriminate between types of lines (characteristics, quality), shapes (geometric
and organic), textures (tactile and visual), colors (primary, secondary, complementary,
intermediates, neutrals, tints, tones, shades, and values), and space (background, middle ground,
foreground, placement, perspective, overlap, negative, converging lines, positive, size, color), and
the use of balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial), and the use of proportion, rhythm, variety,
repetition, and movement in own work and the works of others.
Lifeskills: friendship, curiosity, problem solving
RELATED INTERNET SITES:
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
http://origamiyoda.wordpress.com/
Revised 03/07/08