Star Wars, Episode I, the Phantom Menace

by Patricia C. Wrede

Book Overview

A galaxy is threatened. A young Jedi is discovered. A dormant evil rises again. New truths are found in the long-awaited prequel to the "Star Wars" trilogy. The only junior novelization available in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439106737
• ISBN13: 9780439106733
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Length: 178 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Excellent for a YA adaptation

This book, though aimed at those of younger ages, actually comes off remarkably well in contrast to Terry Brooks' official tie-in novelization. While this book doesn't go into as much technical depth or detail, I felt that the author had much more of a feel for Episode I and Star Wars in general than Terry Brooks did.This book, in the first two pages, also does what the movie and Brooks' novelization failed to -- It explains the story comprehensibly, the Federation's motives etc... This book also had a lot more feeling, what the characters thought about one another, and it got into Jar Jar's head, making him not quite so annoying.This book in many ways is a better adaptation of the film than Brooks' edition, but it's also different, written from different perspectives. If you are a die hard SW fan, I recommend reading both, if not, stick with Brooks'. This was good, but it was aimed at kids, remember.

Patricia C. Wrede strikes again !

It's amazing how, she started out and finished writing a "CHILDREN'S MIDDLE-GRADE novelization of the new "Star Wars" movie" and it came out better than the "Terry Brooks's "big" adult novelization".I've been a fan of her work for a while now, she manages to write interesting books, yet keep them simple, where you can't put it down. Perhaps my overall favorites are the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, if you liked this book, be sure to read all of the EFC. Also several reviews mentioned how the battle scenes weren't described too much, well, that's how she writes, going into the story, rather than pointless facts about some 10 digit coded names of ships or droids. Also one mentioned how she didn't use "complex words", a book does not need unneccesory complications to it, will those words make the book better ? more enjoyable to read ? I can't understand these people. The whole point of the book is to enjoy the story, not judge how complex the words are and how much they can be twisted. It all comes to less is more.Again, this wasn't aimed for general public, middle-grade levels preatty much.Ohh and by the way, it's Mrs. Wrede.

Wonderful!!!!!!!!!

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is a great book. I have seen the movie various times and I always have liked the book better. It is a great science ficttion read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes SF. This book is good because Wrede paints a spectacular image in your mind. This book is great!!

Did a much better job than Terry Brooks!

Pat Wrede's novelization of The Phantom Menace is very nicely done. She added insight into the characters without bogging down the story. I hope that Lucas dumps Terry Brooks and goes with Pat Wrede for the sequel.

Greater Than The Movie!

Did you see the new Star Wars Episode I movie yet? If not, DON'T! Not yet anyways. First you should read the book because it is sooo much better. Not that I'm downing the movie, no way, but it was better to read. Why? Because you get to know what the cherictors are thinking. Also, if you like Star Wars, but want to know more, I suggest reading the books: Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force, and The Dark Rival. Both come before Episode I and explain more about Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn. If you thought they made a good team, then you should know that at first Qui-Gon would not even take Obi-Wan as his Padawan learner. See, you can get more info by reading the books. I really liked Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and can't wait for them to bring out Episode II! See ya in the theater!