The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi? is a canon junior novel written by Adam Gidwitz, with interior artwork by Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston. It adapts the film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, and was first published on September 22, 2015 by Disney–Lucasfilm Press.
Publisher's summary
Acclaimed, New York Times best-selling author Adam Gidwitz delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like you've never experienced before, infusing the iconic, classic tale of good versus evil with a unique perspective and narrative style that will speak directly to today's young readers while enhancing the Star Wars experience for core fans of the saga.[4]
Plot summary
Development
On June 5, 2015, Disney revealed the cover artwork for the titles in the series.[5]
Although early announcements stated this book would feature art by Iain McCaig,[6] the published book instead utilized interior art by Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston with cover art by Khoa Ho.[1]
Continuity
The story is a retelling of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, but with additional scenes, added comments and humor. Placed between chapters are lessons to the reader on how to be a Jedi, such as "how to meditate, how to meditate while standing on one foot; how to meditate while standing on one foot while people are throwing dirty socks at you." The book's style is similar to Gidwitz's popular Grimm books.[7] The narration is written partially out-of-universe, with references such as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz and "British butlers." The second-person perspective of Luke Skywalker is also used at times.
Media
Editions
- ISBN 9781484709146; September 22, 2015; Disney–Lucasfilm Press; US hardcover[1]
- ISBN 9781368027533; March 19, 2019; Disney–Lucasfilm Press; US paperback[2]
Cover gallery
US hardcover
US paperback
Appearances
By type
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
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Organisms
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Droid models
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Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
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Vehicles and vessels
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Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
Sources
Announcing An Exciting New Array of Star Wars Children's Books on StarWars.com (original link is obsolete)- "Launch Pad" — Star Wars Insider 150
- Star Wars Adaptation Covers Revealed: Presenting the New Original Trilogy on StarWars.com (backup link)
- SDCC 2015: Star Wars Publishing Panel Liveblog on StarWars.com (backup link)
- So You Want to Be a Jedi? Audiobook - Exclusive Preview! on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Continue Your Training: Kids Star Wars Summer Reading List on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Empire at 40 | How Adam Gidwitz Reimagined Empire for So You Want to be a Jedi? on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Empire at 40 | Empire Novelizations Through the Years...and Around the World on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Looking for a Star Wars Summer Reading List? Found One, You Have! on StarWars.com (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2
So You Want to Be a Jedi? on Disney Publishing Worldwide's official website (backup link)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back So You Want to Be a Jedi? on Amazon.com (backup link) (Paperback)
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas places Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, which this novel adapts, in 3 ABY.
- ↑ So You Want to Be a Jedi? on Disney Publishing Worldwide's official website (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars Adaptation Covers Revealed: Presenting the New Original Trilogy on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ Announcing An Exciting New Array of Star Wars Children's Books on StarWars.com (original link is obsolete)
- ↑ Adam Gidwitz - Essays & Articles - So You Want to Be a Jedi? on www.adamgidwitz.com (backup link archived on April 15, 2015)
