Anakin: Apprentice

"Anakin: Apprentice" is an expanded universe look into the life of Anakin Skywalker after "The Phantom Menace" and just before "Attack of the Clones." Anakin finds out that he will have a new mission that regards Senator Amidala. Afterwards, he daydreams. Anakin reminisces on some of the more memorable events in the past decade. He thinks back at all of the robots that he built at the Jedi temple. When one of the droids malfunctions, Master Windu must take care of things. In another chapter, we find that Anakin used to sneak out of the Jedi Temple and wander around Corusant. Keeping his podracing instincts, he becomes involved with racing gliders and swoop bikes. At another point, Anakin travels to the snowy world of Ilum. As featured in the "Clone Wars" animated series, this is where the Jedi harvest the crystals for their lightsabers. As Luke Skywalker saw the darkness within during his cave vision on Dagobah, so too does Anakin glimpse his internal evil. The story ends with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin entering the elevator that would take them to the long awaited reunion with Padmé Amidala. The writing is good as the text is best suited for reading abilities between third and fourth grade. The book is set up as a short chapter book. While it contains distinct chapters, the 48 page title also features many pictures. Tommy Lee Edwards' illustrations enhance the storytelling. Most pictures are impressions that show the general mood of the moment. While on one hand this will satisfy those who need the pictures to assist in understanding the story, the impressionalism also weans the reader away from depending on illustarations. In other words, this is a great title for those starting with chapter books. Filled with adventure, insight and significant character development, "Anakin: Apprentice" is a wild ride.

My son is in kindergarten and is an advanced reader for his class. Still, this book would have been too advanced for him except that he knows the movie so well and he is so interested in Anakin Skywalker that he can understand the book on his own pretty well. It's just at his level and this book has got him so excited about reading on his own that he is practically unstoppable now. It's not great literature but to him it is greatly enjoyable.