Tom Angleberger

Tom Angleberger is an American children's author widely recognized for creating the bestselling Origami Yoda series. His work has achieved significant commercial success, with over 3.3 million copies sold worldwide as of 2013. Some of his works have been published under the pen name Sam Riddleburger, demonstrating his versatility in children's literature. His writing often incorporates themes of creativity, friendship, and school life, resonating strongly with middle-grade readers. Angleberger graduated from the College of William & Mary with a degree in art, where he met his wife, fellow children's author Cece Bell. He lives in Virginia and has been open about having Asperger syndrome, which influences his unique perspective as a writer. Throughout his career, Angleberger has received recognition for his contributions to children's literature, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award. His work continues to engage young readers through a combination of humor, relatable characters, and interactive elements.

Readers praise Angleberger's ability to capture authentic middle school voices and experiences. Parents and teachers note his books engage reluctant readers, particularly boys aged 8-12. The Origami Yoda series receives frequent mentions for combining humor with practical origami instructions. Likes: - Realistic portrayal of school dynamics and social challenges - Inclusion of characters with different personalities and abilities - Clear instructions for paper-folding projects - Accessibility for struggling readers - Humor that appeals to both children and adults Dislikes: - Some parents find the writing style too informal - Complaints about repetitive plots in series books - References to "gross" topics in some stories - Later books in series seen as less engaging than earlier ones Ratings: Goodreads: Origami Yoda series averages 4.1/5 stars across 100,000+ ratings Amazon: Most titles maintain 4.5/5 stars Common Sense Media: Recommended for ages 8+ with 4/5 parent rating Reader quote: "Finally found books my son wants to read instead of having to read."

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda - A middle school student discovers that a finger puppet of Yoda, made by a peculiar classmate, seems to give surprisingly wise advice to those who ask it questions.

Darth Paper Strikes Back - Tommy and his friends must defend Dwight and his Origami Yoda when a new student creates a rival finger puppet based on Darth Vader.

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee - When Dwight leaves McQuarrie Middle School, Sara steps in with a Fortune Wookiee made from a folded Wookiee puppet that offers advice.

Art2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling - An interactive companion book that teaches readers how to fold origami Star Wars characters and draw in the style of the series.

Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue - The students continue their rebellion against the school's FunTime test preparation program using Star Wars-themed origami.

Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus - The final book in the series follows the McQuarrie Middle School students on their field trip to Washington, D.C.

Horton Halfpott - A Victorian mystery about a kitchen boy who becomes involved in solving the theft of a valuable family necklace.

Fake Mustache - A tale about a seventh-grader who must stop his best friend from using a magical mustache to take over the world.

Inspector Flytrap - A Venus flytrap detective, aided by his goat assistant, solves mysteries in this illustrated chapter book series.

Dav Pilkey writes illustrated chapter books featuring school-based humor and creative storytelling through a similar lens as Angleberger. His Captain Underpants and Dog Man series incorporate hand-drawn elements and comic-style narratives that appeal to the same age group.

Jeff Kinney creates stories about middle school experiences with cartoon illustrations integrated throughout the text. His Diary of a Wimpy Kid series shares similar themes of navigating school social dynamics and friendship challenges.

Lincoln Peirce combines comics and prose in his Big Nate series, focusing on school life and creative expression. His work features a protagonist who, like Origami Yoda's characters, uses art and imagination to cope with daily challenges.

Rachel Renée Russell writes the Dork Diaries series, which uses illustrations and first-person narrative to tell stories about middle school experiences. Her books share similar themes of friendship and self-expression through creative outlets.

Gordon Korman writes humorous middle-grade novels that deal with school situations and peer relationships. His books often feature ensemble casts of characters working together to solve problems, similar to the collaborative nature of the Origami Yoda series.