The art, music, drama, LEGO-robotics, yearbook, field trips…and yes, even sports are cancelled and replaced with the FunTime educational program designed to send the sane screaming to the fields, I mean, get those standardized test scores back up. In The Surprise Attack, fears anticipated in the previous novel are realized. Really the intelligence is in the way Tom Angleberger captures the angst, quirk and wit of middle-grade humans, encourages them to continue as such and gives them a voice. The clever isn’t in gaining Lucasfilm Limited’s permission, it’s in convincing people that these are harmless easy pop culture fare that are sure to entice the reluctant male reader. I’m sure there are those who see the obvious Star Wars tie-ins and think “gimmick” or clever merchandising and continue on to check-out with it or dismiss them out of hand.

Can he write a conclusion that is satisfying to readers? It does end on a cliffhanger, so be warned! I am very curious to see how Angleberger wraps up this story, since the tests that the students are rebelling against are nationally mandated now. I like this book a lot more because it got the entire student body involved and there was just as much story and plot as there was silly Star Wars references. You can tell that Angleberger lives in the MD/DC/VA area because the students of McQuarrie Middle are being 'punished' for the low score on the previous year's standardized tests. Fans of the series, or of Star Wars, will hit warp speeds to grab a copy of this one.I think this book was a big improvement over and slightly better than. The message isn't bad either: uniting for the greater good and standing up for one's beliefs.

Praise for The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett 'Chock-full of customarily quirky fun.' - Kirkus Reviews 'Fans of the series will relish the side drawings' goofy humor, the new puppets to make, and the cliff-hanger promising more to come.' - School Library Journal 'Angleberger delivers another clever, funny crowd-pleaser.

United, can they defeat the FunTime Menace and cope with a surprise attack from Jabba the Puppett? With this latest episode in the explosively popular Origami Yoda series, Tom Angleberger proves once again that he 'has his finger puppet squarely on the erratic pulse of middle-school life' ( Washington Post ). But some crises are too big for Origami Yoda to handle alone: Form a Rebel Alliance the students must. Instead, it's driving everyone crazy with its obnoxious videos of Professor FunTime and his insidious singing calculator! When Principal Rabbski cancels the students' field trip-along with art, music, and LEGO classes-to make time for FunTime, the students turn to Origami Yoda for help. Dwight's back-and not a moment too soon, as the gang faces the FunTime Menace: a new educational program designed to raise students' standardized test scores. Summary: Dark times have fallen on McQuarrie Middle School.

Surprise attack of jabba the puppett