I Want To Be A Jedi by Simon Beecroft

Book Genre: Science Fiction

Publishing Information: Dorley Kindersley Publishing, 2007 (48 pages)

Summary: For all those Star Wars kids out there and probably a few adults, here is the handbook that will explain exactly what you need to know to become a Jedi. First, to become a Jedi you must train with the mindset that you are a peacemaker. You do have a force with you if needed. Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu are all Jedis that travel throughout the galaxy as peacemakers. Jedi's do not start out as a Jedi, though, first, you are a youngling and then become a Padawan Learner. After passing numerous tests, you will be assigned a Jedi Master to travel with you on spaceships as you patrol the galaxy. Eventually you will be a Jedi.

A youngling is born with special powers that tell him or her they are special. These powers may consist of moving objects with your mind or being able to move very fast. Anakin Skywalker was a podracer who dicovered he had magical powers to race very fast, Obi Wan Kenobi became his master, but Anakin was a rebellious youngling and continued to be so into adult years when he married. Marriage is strictly forbidden for Jedis. Unfortunately, Anakin turns away from his goodness and begins to fight for the dark side. Anakin and his wife Padme had two children, Luke and Leia.

The Jedi Council is the highest form of government within the Jedis. They possess great abilities with lightsabers, a blade made of glowing energy, which is never to be used to attack others. Mind tricks are another gift Jedi's have and with the wave of a hand, a Jedi can control others. A utility belt is used to carry other tools such as comlinks, for communication and holoprojectors, for recording and displaying images. These items are useful in battles such as Sith battles. These are dark forces that must not be allowed to prevail. Unfortunately, the Sith Lords wanted to destroy the Jedis and began a terrible battle that destroyed many planets. Annakin became the Emperor of the Evil Sith's and became known as Darth Vader. Therefore, the Jedi's had to resort to battle by space and by land to save each other. Anakin's children became the leaders of the Jedi's that eventually killed the Siths and their own father.

Reading Level: 5.1
Interest Level: 5 - unknown

Personal Rating: (*** Good) I am not a fan of Star Wars but many children are, so I wanted to give this book a chance. It was informative, had a deeper meaning to the story than I first thought, and pictures to illustrate concepts that may be hard to grasp. I think a child or adult fan of Star Wars would enjoy this Star Wars guide.

Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:

History: Many of our wars have resulted from greed for power and hatred for another culture. An interesting unit would be to discuss the similarities of World War II and the Sith Wars and the Jedis. An interesting perspective would be to observe our nation as Jedis but do other countries see us as the Siths and why.

Social Studies: How does our government compare to the Jedi Council? A great segue for studying Congress, the Senate, the Legislative and Judical System, how bills are passed, how Presidents and other politicians are nominated and elected. The League of Nations and how it began would be interesting, too. Bringing in the Star Wars perspective could be a great learning device for the apathetic student.

Writing: Writing prompt: If I were a Jedi today, my first mission for world peace would be...

Language Arts: Sounding out the names of Star Wars characters and other terms would be great practice for phonemic awareness.

Art: The students would draw a picture of how they think Charlotte could look in the future.

Reading: Books about planets, the Solar System, galaxies, new technologies, newspaper headlines and columns and reading about our own war would be related materials.

Potential problems or difficulties: This book may not appeal to all students but I do believe the theme could be collectively considered. Also, some students may get so involved with the Star Wars theme that discipline problems may result. Some parents may not want their children reading about fighting and science fiction, but many of our classics like Lord of the Flies are about a form of government, fighting, and human nature even in a fictional setting. I think it would be a great way to think out side of the box, not how we see ourselves as a nation, but how other nations see us.