Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus (Origami Yoda, #6) by Tom Angleberger

Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus (Origami Yoda, #6) Reviews

• 
  Laura

  I am seriously going to miss these characters. They are excellent examples of kindness, understanding, inclusion, and cooperative problem solving. Not to be missed -- Ki-Adi Hungri's Jedi Food Court. I'm totally making crouton-tauns!
• 
  Ivonne Rovira

  Do not believe author
  Tom Angleberger! Despite intimations, Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus, the sixth volume in the series that began with
  The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, will not be the last. With Principal Lougene Rabbski out of the picture, there will be a new — probably worse — leader at McQuarrie Middle School. Plus the gang will be in eighth grade and then high school. Dwight Tharp, Tommy Lomax, Sarah Bolt, and the rest of the gang are going to desperately need the counsel of Origami Yoda. There’s no way that Angleberger would allow them to flounder unaided.
  
  Is there?
  
  With the Rebel Alliance victorious, McQuarrie Middle School’s seventh-grade class heads to Washington, D.C., for their long-desired field trip. Although all origami is banned, Harvey Cunningham completely gives in to the Dark Side, bringing with him a dried-out pickle fashioned into Emperor Pickletine. Can the kids bring balance to the force without paper? What adventures will befall them in our nation’s capital? And is that love in the air?
  
  The first half of Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus was a pretty big let-down after the roller-coaster ride of the first five books, particularly this book’s predecessor,
  Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue. Had that continued, this would not have rated even three stars. But once the students get to D.C., Angleberger packed enough action to almost make up for it — even though the book ends on a bittersweet and ambiguous note — to elevate it to four stars.
  
  And, Tom Angleberger, you have a message from Obi-Wan Kenobi: “You have made a commitment to the Jedi order, a commitment not easily broken.” Remember that.
• 
  Angie

  The Origami Yoda series comes to a conclusion here, with the most amazing plot twist ever! (spoiler alert! scroll down for spoiler!)
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  ...the middle schoolers, AND the adults, turn into REAL HUMAN BEINGS!!!
  
  I'm sad to see the series end, but hoping someday for a Prequel Trilogy.
• 
  Craig

  As the last book in the series, this one was destined to answer the original question that opened the series: Is Origami Yoda real? I wasn't convinced this could have a satisfying answer, and when Origami Yoda -- or rather his origami-free knock-off, Fruitigami Yoda -- saved the kids from the Great Paper Airplane Fiasco, I was even less so. How could there be a logical explanation? But how could this book end up a fantasy? So I was both relieved and touched by the entirely satisfying ending.
  
  In fact, this whole book is an extended satisfying ending. The small details continue to amaze and amuse -- how many fruit-based Star Wars names can one man think of? -- but they don't take away from the main story, and all the drama of a middle school field trip is here: the seat assignment angst, the relationship drama, the rules and rule-skirting. Though disaster looms (and sometimes more than looms) for much of the book, all the characters have a chance for a final moment in the sun. At the end, you realize you'll miss these kids.
  
  The one false note in the story is Angleberger's treatment of Mr. Good Clean Fun, who is a one-note caricature here. I almost went down to four stars for that, but the book left me feeling so good, I stuck at five. And as always happens, the surprise twist totally surprised me! Now I have to go read the whole series again.
• 
  Josiah

  With the FunTime Menace defeated, the seventh-graders of McQuarrie Middle School turn their focus to the Washington, D.C. field trip they fought to preserve when the school threatened to take it away. Origami Yoda has said it will be a trip of destiny, but Dwight, Tommy, Kellen, Sara, Amy, Harvey, Quavondo, Rhondella, and the rest may have to find that destiny without assistance from Origami Yoda. Ms. Rabbski insists the students represent McQuarrie with dignity, which means no origami is allowed on the trip to the nation's capital. They'll have to fend for themselves, but at least their biggest problems are behind them.
  
  "For some reason, anytime an adult decides you are 'representing' something, they decide you should represent it by being as quiet and boring as possible."
  
  —Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus, P. 5
  
  As five buses of McQuarrie seventh-graders depart in the early morning for Washington, the kids find out they won't have to go without origami after all. Harvey smuggles a new origami creation onboard, a dark-robed, pickle-faced guy he calls Emperor Pickletine, and immediately starts bothering the others with the mini emperor's negative attitude when the chaperones' backs are turned. Fortunately, Dwight thought up a way to bring Origami Yoda, at least in spirit. Aware that no paper that can be folded into origami would be permitted on the bus, Dwight brings a bag of Fruit Roll-Ups that he can mold into a passable (and edible) Yoda likeness. If the worst happens, Fruitigami Yoda is available for counsel, and as the trip progresses it looks more and more like Dwight and friends are going to need the Jedi warrior's sage advice.
  
  The young McQuarrie "representatives" get into and out of trouble around D.C., some lucky enough to buddy up with a close friend for the trip, and others not so fortunate. Tommy wishes he could be with Sara, but she's in a different bus and tour group. Sara chose Rhondella as her partner because they haven't hung out much since Rhondella found a boyfriend, but the "girls only" day isn't working out as Sara hoped, and she wishes she could switch and join Tommy. Serious trouble for the boys is narrowly averted at the Air and Space Museum, but a bizarre request by Fruitigami Yoda puts Quavondo on the hot seat to take a strange action or risk upsetting the Force. They've trusted Yoda so far; why forsake his wisdom now? Quavondo's leap of faith turns the whole trip around on the way home, transforming a disappointing excursion into a day no one will forget, and shedding light on the behavior of a certain student who has been less than in tune with the Force. Seventh grade is over, but does that mean Origami Yoda's adventures are over, too? What will eighth grade look like without the Force guiding Dwight and his friends?
  
  I appreciate the brief reference in the story to a Return of the Jedi novel, since such a book by Tom Angleberger was published in 2015 for the Star Wars Illustrated Novels trilogy. I also liked the name of the museum airplane that plays a part in this book, the Bell X-1, surely an homage to the author's Newbery Honor-winning wife, Cece Bell. The conflict in Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus isn't nearly as intense as in The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett or Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue, and the young romance doesn't feel as magical as in The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, but it's a decent novel. I'd rank The Strange Case of Origami Yoda best of the series, followed by The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett, then Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue. I'd put Darth Paper Strikes Back fourth, then The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, and Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus sixth. Art2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling goes seventh if you include it with the novels. Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus may not be as resounding a finish as I hoped for, but I love the Origami Yoda series, and I cling to its final words: "The end this is not!" I know I'm far from the only one better off for having these books in my life. Thank you, Tom Angleberger. I carry the Force more strongly because of your stories.
• 
  Jonathan

  Well I had major beef with the previous book in this series and this one helps prove my point. Let me talk about this book first. It was solid. Taught a good lesson like every book in this series has, but they are starting to get boring. However I in no way believe (even though the cover says "the final book in the series") that this will be the last book. I don't feel it's a spoiler to say that, just read the ending and you can't disagree. But it does appear the series might go in a different direction which is good because it needs to.
  
  Okay on to my gripe. For some stupid reason in the last book, "Princess Labelmaker" there is a reference to a boy being gay. I hated this because it came out of nowhere and was mentioned once only to disappear. I asked the question: why? Well this book still leaves that completely random event still floating out there, because there is no reference to it, in fact I don't think the boy is even in this story. So again, I'm still really confused by that in the previous book. Again, why?
• 
  Dana Grimes

  Once again, I just love these kids! It never ceases to amaze me how clever Tom Angleberger is. I want to meet this guy! The character that really stole the show for me this time was Mr. Good Clean Fun! "The boogers on the bus go in the kleenex, in the kleenex,..." Hilarious!
  
  Oh, and "Plesiosaur to meet you"--this is genius writing people.
  
  
• 
  Scott

  Another fun read that both my son and I enjoyed.
• 
  Sandy

  After being relatively unimpressed with the last Origami Yoda book (I enjoyed it, but was not blown away) this book was quite nice. It was a solid conclusion to the series and I think it did a good job of answering the original question: Is Origami Yoda real? The closure was nice. I especially appreciated the twist regarding Harvey and his reasons for his contrary attitude, which legitimately surprised me.
• 
  Jessica

  A nice ending to the series. Not quite the drama of the last couple of books, with the kids trying to take down the evil FunTime school system, this was the lightest on plot and really just capped off the series by showing how they've all changed during the time of Origami Yoda.
• 
  Thomas

  A field trip with out origami ...what the Hutt?? When a class of lively star wars origami makers embark on a quest with out their origami heroes what will they do??? Luckily "healthy" lunch boxes save the day.
• 
  Lukas

  This is my third time reading this book and it never will stop being my favorite book!!!
• 
  Jackson Porter

  Not me getting teary eyed over a book series about a bunch of kids folding origami …
• 
  Frances Alemany

  What I got to say about origami yoda! C;
  
  I have read EVERY single origami Yoda book. And I love them all so much! Their an awesome series and I hope the last one I read isent the last but who knows really? Well you should read the series it’s a great one! -Julie-foto_frans) daughter.
• 
  Courtney Umlauf

  
  
  I love that Doctor Who gets referenced in these stories.
  

  (Angleberger does a great job of integrating pop culture references - he doesn't use them cheaply. They almost always add to character or plot development and when they don't, you can breeze right past them without missing a beat. You can just skip by this picture of K-9 from Doctor Who and still understand the story, although you shouldn't, because Doctor Who is great and you should watch it.)

  
  
  In book #6, the 7th graders at McQuarrie Middle finally get to go on their field trip to Washington D.C. Except Principal Rabbski rules this an origami-free trip. Of course, Dwight and others find a way to work around this.
  
  I thought this was a great wrap up(?) to this series, although it only reinforced my opinion that books 4 and 5 should have been combined into one. It doesn't make sense to me to have 4 and 5 cover one huge story arc that's so big and important that it feels like the ending to everything...and then add this after it. Even though I liked this book, the rhythm of the entire series was thrown off by have those two books connected as much as they are.
  
  However, I don't think I would have noticed that if I were reading this as a kid because so much of the humor and appeal in these stories comes from random subplots and side issues. Like Origami Yoda says "...fields trips everything can change, like soap opera on a bus they are." Angleberger creates a lot of his humor by incorporating random situations that most people can relate to, even though we all feel like we're the only ones dealing with them. Like the drama of having to pee on a charter bus during a long trip, which a few girls are dreading in this story. Sherlock Dwight's solution? Make sure your in Principal Rabbski's group.
  
  
  
  So many situations like this come up in these stories which is part of what I like about them. But in my opinion, what makes these books so great is that they manage to be funny while also addressing important issues like bullying, school politics, student/teacher relationships, friendship, etc. They're not just thoughtlessly funny (like Wimpy Kid), instead each book brings up real life issues students can relate to. I'm sad to see the end of this series, but I'll be on the look out for more from this author.
  
  
  **For basic reading comprehension questions for this book, check out my
  Teachers Pay Teachers store.**
  
  
• 
  Barbara

  Although the last book in this appealing series takes plenty of unexpected twists, turns, and detours, it ends on a satisfying note--and for those of us who abhor the overemphasis on high stakes testing, there's even a tiny bit about the tests those seventh graders have been battling all year long. The seventh graders of McQuarrie Middle School are on a field trip to Washington, D.C., something they have worked hard to earn. But there are problems aplenty since their principal has banned all origami during the trip, and paper is just about impossible to come by. All of the series readers' favorite characters are here, seventh graders, origami figures and adults too, and, as might be expected, there is much drama over seat mates, lunches, which bus to ride, and even bathroom issues. Romances are pursued and ended, and new alliances are formed. In desperation--because, after all, how can the middle graders possibly ride out of town without guidance from their paper mentor--they resort to creating orgami figures from fruit, and, in Harvey's case, from a wrinkled pickle. Although I will miss these characters and these case study reports, all contributions from different members of the faction, this book provides a fine conclusion to a delightful ride. I chortled my way through the Jedi Food Court and the many creative Star Wars-related creations peppered throughout the book. Creativity and word play and kids and adults helping each other abound here, making this a great book to share during the opening weeks of school. Although the characters often behave exactly as readers might expect, they often surprise us too. Well done, Tom Angleberger!
• 
  Reading is my Escape

  Origami takes a field trip  
  The kids from McQuarrie Middle School are back and they are off on a field trip to Washington D.C. They worked hard for this field trip and are very excited, but Principal Rabbski has banned origami on the trip. How will the kids survive the trip without advice from Origami Yoda? Dwight has a backup plan, as usual. He brings lime green fruit roll ups and uses them to make an emergency Fruitigami Yoda. Unfortunately, Harvey brings a wrinkly, hateful pickle, Emperor Pickletine. Is Pickeltine trying to tempt Harvey to the dark side? How will the kids navigate the challenges of a class trip without their origami counterparts? And will the field trip be the adventure the kids expected or will it turn into a total disaster?
   
  This is a fun story about a bunch of 7th graders who need advice to navigate the situations and issues that come up in their daily lives. Their unusual solution is an origami Yoda puppet who speaks through their friend Dwight. My son loves these stories. They are original and creative and very humorous. I enjoy reading the stories with him, the twists and turns are amusing.
   
  Not sure if this is the last book in this series, the end leaves it kind of up in the air.
   
  Recommended to:
  Middle grades students (grades 3-8) who enjoy humorous stories and school situations. This is only related to Star Wars in a slight way that the origami characters are Star Wars characters. You do not need to know much about Star Wars to enjoy the stories.
• 
  Kelly

  Totally Stooky Fizz-Pop Waffles with Plastic Dinosaurs on Top as Murky would say. At first I was all whoah another Origami Yoda Book - this is RAD but then at the end in my best Luke Skywalker voice NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! The series is over :-( Please Tom Angleberger tell me it isn't so. Sniff-Sniff no more McQuarrie Middle School Capes...how will I get through my commute? I may just have to listen to them all over again. Yes, that's right LISTEN. The audiobooks were fantastic! Mostly the same narrators - I cannot speak highly enough about how enjoyable they all were.
  
  More to the point. This installment revolves around the field trip to Washington D.C. and where else the Air & Space Museum!! The back cover really may have said it best - "Twists! Turns! Snacks! Secrets!" How will the kids survive Principal Rabbski's NO ORIGAMI on the field trip rule? Hint - Dwight brings an epic supply of GREEN fruit roll-ups!
  
  Bonus in the AudioBook - the "Dwight" chapter towards the end of the book is voiced by none other than the author Tom Angleberger himself.
  
  Bonus-Bonus on the AudioBook there is a conversation with with Tom Angleberger and one of the narrators Mark Turetsky. Very fabulous!
  
  Finally - I really hope I get to meet Tom Angleberger at the Reading Festival 3/21/15!!
• 
  Jackie

  Field trips are always crazy, but add in those pesky, all-knowing origami star wars puppets and then you have a field trip that will be one to remember. However, Principal Rabbski bans the paper puppets on the bus...leave it to Dwight to bring fruit roll-ups to substitute for the paper. Fruitigami Yodas! Harvey brings a pickle...and Emperor Pickletine appears! Ahhh...the forces of good vs. evil.
  
  Alliances form on the bus since Principal Rabbski has the kids team up as Bus Buddies. Of course, the kids manage to get in some trouble anyway, but they always have Origami Yoda to solve their problems, right? Well, as a much-needed worksheet is virtually gone (darn those pesky paper airplanes) the ghost of Origami Yoda supplies the way to save the day.
  
  Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus brings all the kids back together this one last time (or is it?) for a new dilemma. In the end, though, the gang realizes they have to rely on themselves to figure out life's mysteries...or how to navigate the wild waters of 8th grade, high school and beyond. May the force be with them. HA!
• 
  Ubalstecha

  The finale of the Origami Yoda series sees our heroes off on their field trip to Washington DC. But the principal has banned origami. How will the group solve problems and gain insight without their paper Star Wars characters? Some resort to some unique solutions that lead to the usual hilarity and zany situations.
  
  As this is the finale, there is a passing of the torch in the story with a logical conclusion as to why the kids won't be consulting Yoda any more. Anglebeger, being a smart man, leaves the door open for us to follow Yoda or or Yoda to return, but the reader gets the impression that this is the last installment. The author also does one of the classiest things ever by dedicating the last ten or so pages to saying thank you to all the readers who have sent him oragami, pictures, drawings and letters. If that doesn't warm your heart, then you are an Emperor Pickletine.
  
  Go read this.
• 
  Christine S

  The conclusion (or is it?!) to this series was so cute and funny! I really enjoyed how everything turned out. Origami Yoda (or should we say fruitagami Yoda?) makes a reappearance, despite the origami ban on McQuarries school field trip! This is a series I recommend to kids often because it's got a good mix of silliness and plot. It's also filled with lots of cool Star Wars references and instructions for folding your own origami Star Wars characters! The main characters are a group of middle schoolers who find themselves at the mercy of some seriously-not-fun adults who try to change their school to make it more "educational" and way less "fun!" I'd read the entire series- it's quick and tons of fun!