“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes.” – Leia Organa, A New Hope Novelization
Ben Acker and Ben Blacker, creators of The Nerdist’s Thrilling Adventure Hour and more, are the authors of the new middle grade series Star Wars: Join the Resistance. The story not only features young would-be heroes who grew up with the legends of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, it’s aimed at those same kids as readers in real life, giving Star Wars a fresh perspective in a fun read.
Mattis Banz, an orphan, idolized legendary heroes Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa his entire childhood. Pledging to be a hero himself, Mattis dedicates his life to helping out the other kids at the orphanage whenever they need it–and people notice. People who hear the rumblings of a distant First Order and are looking for others to help their cause.
Mattis is approached to join the Resistance, but as soon as he lands at the secret base, he finds himself roped into hijinks by Dec, a young fellow recruit. They end up being chastised by Admiral Ackbar himself, and that’s just the beginning of Mattis’s troubles.
The young rebel makes other friends on the base, and together they find themselves wrapped up in action, adventure, and a little bit of mystery. Will they be like all heroes in the Star Wars universe and fit Princess Leia’s description of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or are they even destined to be heroes at all?
Star Wars: Join the Resistance is fast-paced and straightforward, with a narrative style to match, making it an uncomplicated middle school read. If your kids love action and adventure–and Star Wars–this can be a great re-introduction to The Force Awakens timeline. Just be aware that the story ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to be asked (repeatedly) when the next book in the new series will be on store shelves.
A promotional copy was provided for review purposes.
All Images: Disney/Lucasfilm
