The Empire Strikes Back - So You Want to Be a Jedi?

Do you want to be a Jedi!

I totally do so I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. Obviously it tells the Star Wars story “The Empire Strikes Back” but just like the first book in this series, it's all about perspective.

The author, Adam Gidwitz, prepares you in the preface by getting you in the mindset of a Jedi. He's not just telling you a story. He's walking you through your story! In this book, you are Luke Skywalker, young Padawan, training with Yoda and fighting the Empire.

What I loved most about this book is the way in which it's told. Not only are you the hero, but between every chapter, there's an activity for you to do to work on your Jedi training. It starts off with easy tasks like trying to meditate (I mean really meditate) for as long as you can while counting to ten. Focus on the numbers and nothing but the numbers.

I tried it. It's super hard.

As the story progresses, so do your challenges. Focus on balancing on one leg while someone throws something at you.

Scatter things all over your room and then walk through with your eyes closed feeling the objects at your feet and not actually touching them.

Also like the first book in the series, it also spells out names that you (or me at least) can never remember or pronounce.

Yesterday I started the last book of this series and I can't wait to share my thoughts on that one with you!

It's a Y/A book written for second graders, which is a nice initiative and a nice way to introduce the Star Wars classic trilogy to the new generations.

The second person was a little weird, especially since you were written in as Luke, but also saw other perspectives.