MMGM: The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger

THE SECRET OF THE FORTUNE WOOKIEE (An Origami Yoda Book, #3)
by Tom Angleberger
Amulet Books, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4197-0392-8
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from personal copy.

With Dwight attending 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 treacherous waters of 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.
With his proven knack for humorously exploring the intrigues, fads, and dramas of middle school, Tom Angleberger has crafted a worthy follow-up to his breakout bestsellers The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back.

To be honest, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this.  When I first read The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, I didn't particularly care for it much but I knew my students would and I was right, they loved it.  It's right up there with Diary of a Wimpy Kid in terms of popularity.  In fact, I shared it with some fourth graders this week and had several ask for it afterwards (an indication of success to a librarian). By the time I finished the second book, Darth Paper Strikes Back, I'd really become rather fond of these kids, even Harvey redeemed himself to some degree. I thought this book would follow the same ark as the first two, but it surprised me by taking a different path. I should know better than to expect Tom Angleberger to take any expected path, the man is full of surprises.

I think one of the things that shines through in this series of books is the fact that everyone is different and that's okay.  In fact life would be very boring if everyone was the same, people like Dwight add spice to the world, as Tommy and his friends discover in this book.  By the time the book is over, I wanted Dwight back with all his idiosyncrasies.  If you enjoy books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries you will most likely like this book also.