Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars Episode I: Journal Series) (ISBN 0590520938)

Amazon.com Review:
What would it be like to be Anakin Skywalker? Any kid who doesn't wonder that after seeing Episode I, The Phantom Menace should be checked to see if he's a droid. What was it like to be a slave in Mos Espa? Was it scary to talk to the Jedi Council? And--maybe most important--is podracing really as hard as it looks? This fun, first-person journal lets kids see the action of Phantom Menace through the eyes of their favorite 9-year-old Jedi-to-be. In 14 entries featuring stills from the movie, Anakin tells his story in his own words, from his first encounter with Gui-Jon, Jar Jar, and Padmé to the roller coaster podrace to the wild final ride high above Naboo. Young Skywalker gets an assist from YA author Todd Strasser of Camp Run-A-Muck and Help! I'm Trapped fame. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Not the best journal book, but better than I expected:
Well, out of all the Journal books I've read, (which is all of them except for Han's) I would say that while this one is not as gripping as Darth Maul's and not as heartfelt as Luke's, it is pretty decent. Especially since I was somewhat unimpressed with Episode 1 itself. Oh, but don't get me wrong, I liked it, it just seemed almost exclusively geared towards the twelve and under audience, and didn't have the 'something for everyone' quality that the previous ones had. I also didn't expect to like this journal because Anakin was probably my least favorite character in the movie, because he was just so goody-goody, and way too wooden and had no character development whatsoever. This book, however, completely changed my opinion of him. It went deep into his thoughts and feelings, all the while describing what went on around him, in a very realisticly done nine-year-old way. Some of the things he was thinking about were very compelling, such as how he missed his mother, and how he worried about Padme/Amidala. This made me like him more, overall, and even made me want to see the movie again so I could apply my new knowledge. I would definitly recommend this book to any Star Wars fan. Though it is written mainly from a fairly simple standpoint for the benefit of the averedge eleven year old reader, any Star Wars fan could read it as long as they don't expect an epic.

My Favorite Star Wars Book:
The book I read was Star Wars Episode 1 Journal, by Todd Strasser. This book is about a boy named Anakin Skywalker who was a slave on a planet called Tatooine. One day a warrior called a Jedi appeared and told him he was to be a Jedi too. Before Anakin could be trained to be a Jedi he must prove himself first. Anakin proves himself and is set free from slavery for training to be a Jedi. My favorite part in the book was the thirteenth chapter called "The Battle." It was about how Anakin had hid in a starfighter, but accidentaly engaged himself in a war. Anakin was just looking for a safe place to hide during the battle and accidentaly took off into nother battle in space. Anakin had no idea what he was doing. Unaware of what he was doing, he faught off most fighter and distroyed the enemy's control base. I enjoyed this book alot. It was very discriptive and had a great story line. I chose this book when I was a Star Wars fan, but I never took the time to read it until now. I am glad I read this book and I think you shoud read it too if you like Star Wars.

A GOOD BOOK BUT NOT EXCELLENT:
It is an interesting book focusing mainly on Anakin's emotions. It also gives additional details from Anakin's perspective.It is a good book but has a few flaws as some details which should have been there are excluded. The descriptions given by Anakin is similar to what any nine year old would think if they had the same experience.It is told in the first person as it's a journal and Anakin narrates his story to the reader. However it can be confusing at times and a few scenes from the movie are left out.Over all it is an enjoyable book and I recommend that you get a copy soon as possible if you have an appetite for science fiction or a fan of Star Wars who is not too hardcore.

Why wasn't this longer?:
This was decent, but really, I was expecting to learn more about Anakin's history, like why he has to wear the suit, what happened between him and Obi Wan before Obi Wan crushed him, it should've been longer, but knowing Anakin's emotions is a good thing. So, unless you want the story re-told from just half of the events, don't buy this. Look's like we'll have to wait a few years before the parts of Annie's future only Georgie knows is released. (Sigh...)

Vader at 9:
I LOVED this book. For anyone who wants to read about Darth Vader's (or you could say Anakin's) life at 9 years of age, then this is the book for you!