Rating: 
Summary: Save Your Money!
Review: I was tremendously disappointed in this book. As an adult, I had read the 'Jedi Apprentice' novels about a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (pre-'Phantom Menace'), and 'Queen Amidala's Journal' by Jude Watson, with great enjoyment. They were wonderful books, that gave the characters depth and fleshed out a lot that wasn't mentioned in 'Phantom Menace'. Sadly, that was *not* the case with 'Anakin's Journal'. I knew that this was supposed to be the journal of a 9-year-old boy, and so it obviously wouldn't be as detailed as 'Amidala's Journal'. I expected something geared toward young children. Even at that level, this book is a collossal failure. The author, Todd Strasser, writes like a 70-year-old trying to imagine what being a 9-year-old was like. His narrator doesn't sound like Anakin Skywalker *at all*. He writes Anakin as talking about meeting a "Frog Man and Angel Girl" on one page and then giving a socio-political history of Tatooine on the next. In the book Anakin refers to Sebulba as his "archrival" and is constantly saying, "Gee, I'm only 9 years old!" If you know anything about children, you know they aren't aware that they're young, just that everyone else seems *old*. Even the 9-year-old Anakin in the movie refers to an event in the past "when I was really little." Beyond the fact that this book doesn't live up to its premise (the journal of a 9-year-old boy), it is also written rather haphazardly. Presumably Todd Strasser had the same copy of the script to work with that the other writers of 'Phantom Menace' tie-in books used, and yet he manages to make several *major* plot mistakes in this book, which could have been avoided if he'd paid close attention to the script. That alone leaves me to believe that the author didn't care much for his job, and considered this book 'hack work'. He certainly wrote it that way. Worst of all, this book is, quite simply, very dull. The account of the podrace is tedious to read. I wouldn't inflict this book upon children for anything - to do so would only be a cruel punishment. If I could give this book a rating with *negative* stars I would. It is books like these that make TV and Movie tie-in books look like hack work, and the fans that buy them mindless idiots for doing so. A shame. Quite simply, there are a lot of good 'Phantom Menace' books out there. This isn't one of them. Avoid it and go buy 'Amidala's Journal' by Jude Watson and the 'Jedi Apprentice' novels 'The Rising Force' by Dave Wolverton and 'The Dark Rival' by Jude Watson if you are looking for well-written books that are true to the spirit of Episode I.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good Book
Review: I have to say that this is an exciting book and it tells you things that you might not have seen in Episode One, but I would still recommend the other Journals Darth Maul or Queen Amidala because Darth Maul is a SITH LORD, and Amidala is a QUEEN. Much more interesting stories. Unless you hate Sith Lords and you're not very interested in royalty, I would say this is a pretty good book to keep you reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Starwars Journal: Anakin Skywalker Review
Review: I Thought it was an overall good book, it had many exciting parts, and some were funny too. In the book the five things I liked were Anakin Skywalker, Darth Maul, The suspense, The battle for Naboo, and Queen Amidala. Five things I did not like about the book were Jar Jar Binks, Sebulba, Darth Siduous, Yoda, and Mace Windu. I really enjoyed the book, in fact it was so good I couldn't put it down, and I read it in four days. I really enjoyed it and I think someone who is adventurous, and someone who likes science fiction would like this book, and won't put it down.If you read it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Brian
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD BOOK BUT NOT EXCELLENT
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Star Wars Book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: The book is about Anakin Skywalker and his feelings about his life and how he copes with Padme, Qui-gon-jinn, and Obi-wan-kenobi. If you liked the movie Episode I The Phantom Menace you'll like the book. I also suggest the Jedi Apprentice Series.
Rating:
Summary: ITS GREAT
Review: This book along with the journal of queen Amidlals is very good. It takes you deep into the characters thoughts and what he thinks during the movie. This book is one of the best Starwars books i have read and it is just the right book for any age starwars Fan...
Rating:
Summary: Intersting Book,very enjoyable.
Review: This book give's you the viewpoint of Anikan Skywalker,of The Phantom Menace. I highly recomend, it show's how he felt about certain characters, and things such as Qui-Gonn Jinn's death, and how he feel's about Obi-Wan and the Jedi Counsel. I also recomend The Jedi Apprentice books.
Rating:
Summary: Anakin's Adventure
Review: This book was good because it gave one person's point of view and it gave me a different perspective of the movie when I read it. The book gave additional details to the movie--it showed you what he really thought. If you plan on reading this book, I would suggest that you watch the movie first because at times it can get confusing. More details would have made the book even cooler!
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable book
Review: This book was neat because you could read about Episode 1 through Anakin's point of view. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was good. I liked it because it talked about a lot of things that Anakin was thinking that weren't in the movie. Over all, it was a really good book. I would recommend reading this book and Queen Amidala's Journal. ****
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