Star Wars: Jedi Academy

All his life, Roan Novachez has dreamed of being a starfighter pilot, following in both his father’s and older brother’s footsteps. After finishing primary school on his home planet Tatooine, Roan is crestfallen when he receives a rejection letter from Pilot Academy Middle School. Fearing his only option is to attend Tatooine Agricultural Academy, an unexpected opportunity presents itself: Roan receives an invitation to attend the prestigious Jedi Academy on Coruscant. Though it’s not what he wanted, Roan’s family accepts the offer to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi. 

Star Wars: Jedi Academy is a charming, lighthearted adventure that can best be described as Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets a galaxy far, far away. Much like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jedi Academy is told through diary entries, comic strips, notes, and sketches, which cover every page and are drawn by Roan himself. Jeffrey Brown’s combination of humorous doodles and writing makes Jedi Academy charmingly relatable, showcasing Roan’s emotions and bringing life to the many diverse supporting characters, making the text more engaging for reluctant readers. Along the way, Roan faces many challenges and experiences that middle school students can relate to—making friends, dealing with bullies, crushes, and finding his place in a new environment, all with a Star Wars twist.   

Roan’s primary challenge is his Force training, as he initially struggles to lift even the smallest of objects, a skill that his classmates mastered years ago. Despite his internal anxiety, Roan has many people at the Academy who support him: his friends Pasha, Bill, and Gaiana, and his teacher, Master Yoda, who is a constant source of wisdom and encouragement. Roan’s many mistakes teach readers that making mistakes is paramount to growth. This makes the end of the story, where Roan can lift several large boulders at once, even more triumphant.  

Overall, Star Wars: Jedi Academy is an incredibly fun, humorous, and surprisingly genuine book despite its fantastic setting. Young readers will find Roan Novachez’s story to be relatable and informative to their own middle school experiences, even with all the lightsabers, starships, and aliens present. With plenty of clever references to the movies, Star Wars fans will be especially entertained, but you don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to appreciate Roan’s journey, which feels anything but alien.  

Sexual Content  

• Not long after arriving at Jedi Academy, Roan develops a crush on one of his classmates, a girl named Gaiana. Before leaving for summer vacation, Gaiana gives Roan a kiss on the cheek. 

Violence 

• There is minimal violence in the lightsaber training and fencing sequences of the book. No one is hurt. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

• None

Language 

• None 

Supernatural Content 

• The Force can be interpreted as a supernatural phenomenon. As defined in the Jedi Academy’s brochure, “The Force is an invisible energy field created by all living things. The Force gives a Jedi his power, allowing him to do extraordinary things like moving objects with his mind.” 

Spiritual Content 

• None 

by Nicholas Paragano