New to the Jedi Academy, Victor will struggle to fit in. His older sister, a star student in her own right, is mortified to have her baby brother at her school. His roommate Artemis wheezes and wears dark robes. Is he a Sith? Then there's the older Padawan whose taken Victor under his wing. He seems nice, yet also seems to get the new student into lots of trouble with the instructors. What's his deal?
A New Class is just that: new students, new instructors, even a new author/ illustrator. After 3 Jedi Academy Books, Jeffrey Brown stepped down for other projects I guess. His successor Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Lunch Lady) did a very good job. His entry in the Jedi Academy series was similar but different. But that wasn't a bad thing.
I really enjoyed this read but I have my questions. For one, does this volume take place before or after the events of the Jeffrey Brown Trilogy? Just because this is volume 4, that doesn't mean that this isn't a prequel. With only Master Yoda and the Wookiee P.E. teacher Kitmum as the only characters that return in this book, am I to believe that a bunch of teachers up and quit all of a sudden?
My other issue is one that I had with the Jeffrey Brown books: romance. All through the Star Wars prequels, Jedi not getting into romantic entanglements and marriage is a big deal and a major plot point. Yet, Victor's father is a Jedi and married (with children!) and the Padawans in these books always seem to date each other without objection from Yoda. So what's up with that?
Yes, a lot of great characters from the first three books are gone. But I really liked some of these new ones, especially Artemis. But the annoying Gungan guidance counselor, meesa could do without.
A fun read that will appeal to young Star Wars fans. Not too silly and not too predictable. Being half comic book/ half easy reader, this book should be a favorite of both kids and parents/ guardians!
Worth Consuming
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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