Inspiration can sometimes come from the oddest, most unlikely sources. In this instance, the wise, omniscient figure helping to calm the choppy waves among the McQuarrie Middle School sea of misfits is a strangely fashioned finger puppet deemed Origami Yoda. Through its eccentric puppet master and creator, Dwight, Origami Yoda dispenses surprisingly sound advice as chronicled by multiple middle schoolers who extol the virtue of the digit-master through individual accounts of how favor was found as a result of Yoda's teachings. Of course, there are skeptics who refuse to be duped into believing in the mystical powers of a paper booger on the finger of a weirdo. Dwight's classmate Tommy, along with his pessimistic partner Harvey, plan to determine whether Yoda's fortune-tellings are fact or bunk in enough time to decide whether or not he [Tommy] can trust Yoda's advice to earn him a date with Sara to the dance. Yoda confidently advises Tommy to go for it guaranteeing Sara will say yes. How can he be so sure? Sara asked about Tommy weeks ago - Yoda's advice, "Go to the dance and find out"!
Peers are so important to children during the uncertain middle school years. The words of well-meaning adults - parents, teachers, coaches - do not resonate as loudly as those of "friends". Misplaced logic is on full display in this novel as kids not only consult, but actively follow the advice of a puppet who's the front man for the strange kid whose voice and finger give it life. I am immensely thankful that this phase of my life has been successfully navigated and completed - not without my share of foolish followings...
No comments:
Post a Comment