Emperor Pickletine Rides The Bus (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Well I had major beef with the previous book in this series and this one helps prove my point. Let me talk about this book first. It was solid. Taught a good lesson like every book in this series has, but they are starting to get boring. However I in no way believe (even though the cover says "the final book in the series") that this will be the last book. I don't feel it's a spoiler to say that, just read the ending and you can't disagree. But it does appear the series might go in a different direction which is good because it needs to. Okay on to my gripe. For some stupid reason in the last book, "Princess Labelmaker" there is a reference to a boy being gay. I hated this because it came out of nowhere and was mentioned once only to disappear. I asked the question: why? Well this book still leaves that completely random event still floating out there, because there is no reference to it, in fact I don't think the boy is even in this story. So again, I'm still really confused by that in the previous book. Again, why? As the last book in the series, this one was destined to answer the original question that opened the series: Is Origami Yoda real? I wasn't convinced this could have a satisfying answer, and when Origami Yoda -- or rather his origami-free knock-off, Fruitigami Yoda -- saved the kids from the Great Paper Airplane Fiasco, I was even less so. How could there be a logical explanation? But how could this book end up a fantasy? So I was both relieved and touched by the entirely satisfying ending.In fact, this whole book is an extended satisfying ending. The small details continue to amaze and amuse -- how many fruit-based Star Wars names can one man think of? -- but they don't take away from the main story, and all the drama of a middle school field trip is here: the seat assignment angst, the relationship drama, the rules and rule-skirting. Though disaster looms (and sometimes more than looms) for much of the book, all the characters have a chance for a final moment in the sun. At the end, you realize you'll miss these kids.The one false note in the story is Angleberger's treatment of Mr. Good Clean Fun, who is a one-note caricature here. I almost went down to four stars for that, but the book left me feeling so good, I stuck at five. And as always happens, the surprise twist totally surprised me! Now I have to go read the whole series again.
What do You think about Emperor Pickletine Rides The Bus (2014)?
I can't believe the series is over! I will miss Origami Yoda.
—hemanth
Top Ten Crafts and Gardening Books for Youth 2014 (Booklist)
—pankake
SOOO SAD THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANYMORE ORIGAMI YODA BOOKS!
—Clumzy
SO GOOD I WOULD READ IT WHOLE SERIS WAS GOOD
—ryan
