It's Roan's last year at Jedi Academy, and he wants to make sure he does everything right this time. So far, things are looking rosy: he's spending a lot of time with his crush, Gaiana; he's got a great group of best friends; and he's been working really hard on all his assignments. But he's matched up with Mr. G, the toughest teacher in school, for his independent study on flight training, and he's sure Cronah is behind a series of major pranks, even though he can't manage to catch him in the act. While Roan tries to decipher Mr. G and his enigmatic "Hmph" and feels anxious about passing his two final assignments, he and his friends gradually discover who's behind the pranks, all while steering clear of the dark side. As usual in Brown's best-selling series, Roan's journal entries are charmingly full of comical cartoons, caricatures of his teachers, and authentically middle-school-esque musings on his worries and victories. Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid, or any other illustrated middle-grade series, for that matter.

Gr 5 Up-In this third installment of the series, middle school student Roan Novachez is returning to the Jedi Academy for his final year of Padawan training. This year each student gets a Jedi mentor. Like his peers, Roan has to hone his Jedi skills, perform in a class talent show, and complete a Padawan Obstacle Challenge Trial and a Jedi Labyrinth Trial. Brown illustrates this story in the form of diary entries, which include newsletter snapshots, class schedules, report cards, notes, holomail, and holobook chat discussions. VERDICT Star Wars fans will enjoy this latest volume, especially when Roan challenges bully Cronah in a lightsaber duel. Recommended. Lisa Gieskes, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC