Jedi Academy #3

Jedi Academy #3

by Jeffrey Brown

A Jedi use the force for knowledge! A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was a boy named Roan Novachec ...

Genres: Star Wars, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comics, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction

Paperback

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

Jeffrey Brown was born in 1975 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up reading comic books with dreams of someday drawing them, only to abandon them and focus on becoming a 'fine artist.' While earning his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Brown abandoned painting and began drawing comics with his first autobiographical book 'Clumsy' in 2001. Since then he's drawn a dozen books for publishers including TopShelf, Fantagraphics, Drawn & Quarterly, McSweeney's and Chronicle Books. Simon & Schuster published his latest graphic memoir 'Funny Misshapen Body.' In addition to directing an animated video for the band Death Cab For Cutie, Brown has had his work featured on NPR's 'This American Life' His art has been shown at galleries in New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Paris. Jeffrey's work has also appeared in the Best American Comics series and received the Ignatz Award in 2003 for 'Outstanding Minicomic.'
He currently lives in Chicago with his wife Jennifer and their son Oscar.

Reviews

[Amy Formanski Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no excuse to read this series. My kid is too young for it yet, and I'm way too old for them. They won't be selected for any Best of the Year lists for children's books. But I love them and they make me so happy that I don't care who sees me reading them on the train. I would have been gaga about this series as a kid. Roan and his buddies are just trying to graduate from the middle school portion of Jedi Academy, dealing with tough teachers and bullies and obstacle courses along the way. The combo journal/graphic novel format is fab for reluctant readers. Adorable, funny, delightful.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the artwork and story here were just as great as they were in the previous volumes, this one was a bit harder to read due to the scenes of bullying. As someone who was relentlessly persecuted by countless kids both in school and elsewhere, those moments brought back bad memories. Other than that, I enjoyed it.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roan Novachez is off to his third and final year at Jedi Academy Middle School. This third title in the series continues the fun and humor that allows fans of Star Wars to find out what it might be like to grow up in that "universe." As you can guess from the title, Roan and his friends are going to be having to deal some more with bullying, but they will also have some other experiences, both fun and not-so-fun.

For example, each of the students will get to take Independent Study, which will allow them to explore a topic they are really interested in. It is not at all surprising that Roan chooses to specialize in piloting. Unfortunately, that pairs him with the teacher he seems to struggle with the most.

The students at the academy will also get to meet a new student who has transferred in and seems to be far ahead of the rest of them. They will also get a visit from the students of another Jedi Academy. All of this while also having the same challenges kids today have to deal with, like starting to date.

I have found Brown's books to be fun. This is true of his comics as well as the storytelling found in his Jedi Academy series. I know that kids really enjoy his writing and illustration style. As mentioned above, there is lots of humor, but the stories also do a great job of reflecting the real world of middle schoolers. What is really good, is he is able to do so without being too preachy or beating everyone over the head with the messages.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Potter meets Wimpy Kid, but with light sabers. If a kid likes Star Wars, they're going to like this.

[Seth B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the Star Wars book. It shows humor and action. It compares middle school from real life and Jedi training from George Lucas's Star Wars. It shows what some people go through in middle school and what people in Star Wars might go through in Jedi middle school. I noticed that it is set in the time before the Clone Wars.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Jedi academy and the phantom bully there is a boy named roan and he wants to become a pilot but ends up going to Jedi school and than he changes his mind and wants to become a Jedi so he goes back to the academy for his third year and this is his last year and he wants to graduate so he tries his best to pass the tests. The first test is an obstacle course so he picked a team with his friends and passes by 1 second the second test is a maze that leads to the end but there is a catch you have to fight people on your way to the end will roan pass the test.

I thought this book was great I thought is was hillarious but I wish they made more books because this is gonna be one of my favorite book series I recomend this book to anyone who has a great sense of humor.

[Alex Pardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

roans been busier than ever learning to fly starships, swimming in the Lake Country on Naboo, studying for the Jedi obstacle course exam, and tracking down dozens of don't ask. But now, someone is setting him up to get in trouble with everyone at school, including Yoda. If he doesn't find out who it is, and fast, he may get kicked out of school but it is hes bully who is doing all the tubel and roans and hes girlfriend and hes friends are trying to see who it is but the bully is going to make it hard for them .

[Karen Fresh · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't too many books I can share with my 9-year-old niece and nephew, but this series is very funny and cute. I buy them for the kids, but of course I have to preview them :). Hilarious!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author really knows students not only in their speaking, but the expressions on their faces. I love all the parts- his home life, the newspaper, the schedule, what Master Yoda and the other instructors say and the plot in graphics. Well done. I took time to read these and my students are rushing me to finish in a night because they want to read them. I don't often give books 5 stars, but in this case it fits.

I like these kids books so much that even as an adult I am going to read the one I missed and can't wait. They are really well done that adults can also get pleasure from them.

[Lake County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and wonderful fictional treatment of bullying + Ewok pilots!

-- Sarah, Dyer-Schererville Branch

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun, like the other books in the series. I enjoyed it.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite one so far, less drama filled, which made it more enjoyable :) It's always fun and light to read how this boy is handling things at school!!

[Daniel Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the bit where all of the voopaks jump over each other and when one of the voopaks takes Bill's headphones and when two voopaks jump on Bill's ears and pretend they are his headphones!

[Gage Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

best of the series so far

[anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What joy it was to reread this entire trilogy! These books are so upbeat and full of adventurous fun! In completing the series, it really felt like I was giving my inner child a nice, warm hug. I think the plot, regardless of age, is universally interesting. Of course this isn't Dante's Inferno or Plath's Bell Jar, so don't expect the pinnacle of literature, but I would say this series does quite well for itself. Full of lovable characters, engaging storylines, and the perfect mixture of humor and heartfeltedness!

[Gypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Manuel R · Rating 4 out of 5]

InJedi Acadamy: A New Class, It's Roans last year at Jedi Acadamy, and he is very excited! He is also excited to see Gaiana, but not sure if they are dating or not. When the year starts, Roan notices that things are going wrong... and it's with someone else's doing. All students get a teacher for independent lessons, and Roan gets mr. G! There are many challenges in the year, such as an obstacle courses and mazes. The bad part is, whoever this bully is, those are the two most easiest chances to get Roan held back a grade! Who is this bully? Is it Chronah? Is it Cyrus? Can it even be one of his own freinds? Read to find out! This was probably the best book of the series. I liked how it had a lot of comedy, drama, and mystery. This book made me feel happy, sad, relived, and gave me that uh-oh feeling. People that like action, drama, and happy endings will love this book. People who also like Dairy of a Wimpy Kid and Drama will like this book.

[Meleka Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Roan's final year at the Jedi Academy before he goes to high school and maybe continuing his training and education to becoming a Jedi. I am still crying and blowing my nose. This is one the best books I have read this year. A children's book!!!??? Yes, a children's book. This series has kept me captivated. I recommend this to any child. These books show the experiences that a child in middle school goes through: learning who he/she is, learning talents, making best friends, learning to deal with people who not sometimes nice and befriending them, etc. I have to say again that I loved these books.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

F+U+N+N+Y=FUNNY!!! I like the ewok comics in the book! (review by seven year old)

my kids LOVE this series. the mix of journal entries, comics, and other writing styles keep the books interesting for everyone. content-wise, these books are definitely geared more toward upper elementary/middle school kids; however, nothing is really inappropriate for early elementary kids reading at this level. Some of it simply won't be relevant to them, yet. Jeffrey Brown is humorous and has nice, little messages sprinkled throughout. For kids (and grown-ups) who can't get enough star wars in their lives, these books are great.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this volume was more compelling, as there wasn't just a good/evil side. Instead, Roan starts to see that those who might look like Sith (like Cyrus), might be able to change. The pranks were rather over the top, but I suppose that was the point. I wonder if there will be a high school version of this...which I definitely would read but am not one hundred percent sure how it would work, exactly.

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was amazing because of the humor in it. This book is about a young Jedi in training named Roan who goes to Jedi Academy. This is his last year of middle school and he has to make sure not to screw up. You might think that it's easy to avoid messing up, but there is someone trying to ruin Roan's school year. Will Roan graduate or will he flunk. I recommend this book to people to who love graphic novels and love the Jedi Academy series.

[Bruna Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essa trilogia é um amor. Tem lições de moral e mostra situações completamente normais e relacionáveis para crianças: amizades, brigas, bullying, nervosismo na escola, família - só que no mundo de Star Wars (que é bem mais legal!). É uma ótima sugestão de presente para crianças e/ou fãs de Star Wars de todas as idades.

[Austin W · Rating 5 out of 5]

jedi power all the way

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book in the series! I look forward to seeing if their will be more!

[Serena.. Sery-ously? · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Jeffrey Brown's Star Wars!!! ♥

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS THE BEST SERIES EVER! I loved the book it had action and adventure!

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ame este libro, si se pudiera le pusiera un 100,000 porque amo star wars y porque habia un niño que se enfrento a un bully

[maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story because it was funny and the characters are weird versions of those in the movies.

[Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a great book if you like star wars

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among the most notable aspects of this series as a whole is relatability, and this book provides something that most of its readers, young and not-so-young, are likely able to relate to, and that is having someone that is a secret enemy that wishes to cause one great harm.  Roan is a smart kid--far smarter than he sometimes realizes himself--but he is not so organized or so on top of things that he is unable to be target by someone who wishes him harm, as is the case here during his last year of middle school when he is in the 8th grade.  While he is hoping to graduate and preparing for the next stage of his education as he thinks seriously about adulthood, someone is looking to do him harm, and is threatening his graduation and making life deeply uncomfortable for him.  That said, there is a lot about this graphic novel that doesn't have to do with the bully, much of it including Roan's attempts to understand his grumpy but compassionate instructor, Mr. Garfield, all of which give him some additional insights as to the thinking process of the confusing people he happens to be around.

In this particular story, our brave and intrepid hero is a thirteen year old who has sought to leave his boring world for the bright lights of the Jedi Academy.  He deals with a budding relationship with the lovely Gaiana as well as the mysterious actions of someone who appears to want to get him to fail out of Jedi Academy and force him to stay another year, which would no doubt be very embarrassing.  Some of these pranks are serious and seriously harmful, and the plot of the novel pushes towards the final challenge that the students have to prepare for that tests all of the skills that they have learned over the three years of Jedi Academy in rigorous ways.  As the story progresses, the wise reader begins to understand that the way that people are behaving now will have serious consequences that last into adulthood, and that some people are not making the sort of decisions that will lead to happiness and moral growth.  Of course, Roan here is portrayed as a basically decent if not always mature person and by the end of the story we can be confident that whatever he does and wherever he goes, he will likely do fine.

Where this book particularly shines is in its discussion of the motivations of various supporting characters.  Roan finds himself, by the end of the novel, to be capable of great generosity of spirit for his younger brother (whose development of Jedi skills suggests a family that has a lot of potential), considerable understanding of his tutor and what Mr. Garfield has been trying to encourage him to do, and a great deal of growth in his relationship with Gaiana.  There are, as always, plenty of funny Ewok Pilot cartoons that contain a great deal of commentary on Roan's growing empathy and understanding (having the titular pilot team up with a Jawa is particularly humorous and revealing).  And the ending is quite surprising and also very telling, as the author manages to find a compelling way to point out the two ways that villainy in his universe most exposes itself, in the charming but callous behavior of smooth politicians as well as the more crude and nasty behavior of bullies, both of which end up being particularly wicked as far as the author is concerned.  This aspect of the book will likely leave many of the book's readers pondering about its implications for the real world.