A parent might reach for this book when their middle schooler is grappling with unfair rules or trying to defend a friend who is seen as 'weird' by adults. In this hilarious sequel to The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, the kids of McQuarrie Middle School must band together to save their friend Dwight from being sent to a correctional school. Dwight's nemesis, Harvey, uses a new origami finger puppet, Darth Paper, to make Dwight look bad. The story is told through a 'case file' of testimonials, doodles, and notes collected by the characters to prove Dwight's worth. It masterfully explores themes of friendship, loyalty, standing up to injustice, and embracing individuality. The unique format and humor make it a fantastic choice for reluctant readers aged 8-12, turning complex social challenges into an accessible and entertaining story.
Characters like Harvey are mean, but their actions stem from insecurity rather than pure evil.
Sensitive Topics
The central sensitive topic is the treatment of a neurodivergent-coded character (Dwight). The school system's attempt to label him as a 'menace' and remove him is the primary conflict. The approach is secular and frames the kids' fight as a battle for fairness and understanding against a rigid, unfeeling bureaucracy. The resolution is entirely hopeful, celebrating the power of collective action and friendship.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 9 to 11-year-old who understands the frustration of being misunderstood by adults, or who has a friend that others consider 'weird'. It's perfect for a child developing their sense of justice and learning how to advocate for others. The scrapbook format with its many doodles makes it exceptionally well-suited for reluctant readers or those who enjoy humorous, highly-visual storytelling like the Wimpy Kid series.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. No specific preparation is needed. The concepts are straightforward and presented in a humorous, age-appropriate context. A parent might want to know that the book implicitly critiques school systems that pathologize normal kid behavior, which could be a great conversation starter. A parent has just heard their child complain, "It's not fair! The principal is blaming my friend for something, but they don't understand him." The child may be feeling powerless against adult authority and protective of a peer who is being singled out for being different.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the Star Wars references, the funny character voices, and the visual gags in the doodles. They'll see a clear story of good versus evil. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the satire of school administration, the complexity of Harvey's motivations (jealousy and insecurity), and the powerful message about collective action and creating your own narrative.
What Makes It Special
Its unique epistolary format, presented as a scrapbook-style case file, is the key differentiator. Unlike a standard narrative, it uses multiple voices, doodles, and handwritten comments to tell the story. This not only makes it highly engaging for reluctant readers but also perfectly mirrors the collaborative, messy, and multifaceted nature of middle school friendships and conflicts.
Read plot summary
This second installment follows the kids of McQuarrie Middle School as they rally to save their friend Dwight Tharp from being expelled and sent to a correctional school for troubled youth. Dwight's chief antagonist, Harvey, creates an evil finger puppet, Darth Paper, to counter the wisdom of Origami Yoda and frame Dwight's eccentricities as dangerous. The protagonist, Tommy, and his friends compile a new case file, collecting stories from classmates to present to the school board to prove that Dwight is a positive, if quirky, influence on the school.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Harvey tries really hard to get Dwight kicked out. Why do you think he is so focused on proving Origami Yoda is fake and Dwight is a menace?
2
The kids decide to make a case file to present to the school board. Do you think this was the most effective way to save Dwight? What are other ways they could have stood up for him?
3
When Kellen wears the Darth Paper puppet, he gives terrible advice to impress Harvey. Have you ever felt pressured to do something you knew was wrong to fit in with a friend?
4
Compare the advice from Origami Yoda with the advice from Darth Paper. What are the key differences, and how can you tell if someone is giving you good advice in real life?
5
At the end, the kids all work together. Why was it important that it wasn't just Tommy or one person trying to save Dwight?
