Book Review: Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan

Title: Star Wars:Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan

Author: Jeffrey Brown

Release Date: July 29, 2014

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕

My Thoughts:

Roan Novachez is back, and just in time for the new school year. The Return of the Padawan is the follow-up to Jeffery Brown’s successful Star Wars: Jedi Academy. During his first year of school we watched as Roan adjusted to a new school and learned to make new friends. Finding friends may have been easy, but keeping them turns out to be harder than he thought. 

I’m surprised how much I am enjoying this series. Star Wars references aside, Roan is just a normal boy experiencing the same problems that many kids face in school. As he enters his second year he experiences strict instructors, bullying, and misunderstandings but continues to try to do the best he can. Even when things look hopeless. 

While Jeffery Brown’s artistic style isn’t my cup of tea, it passed the kid test. The handwriting font used in the book was a little hard to read at times, but that also passed the kid test. And ultimately this book is for kids and, according to my son, this series ranks up there with Tom Angleberger’s “Origami Yoda” series—which is high praise. 

For readers who enjoy comics and Star Wars, this is a good alternative to the typical slice of life tale written for this age group. Parents will also enjoy the practical lessons and Star Wars references sprinkled throughout the book. I look forward to seeing what else Roan can get into next year – maybe he and Mr. Garfield will try to get along, or not. 

**I received this book from Scholastic Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

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