Our favorite Star Wars characters need good book recommendations too! Yet, could you figure out a book picks for popular Star Wars characters off the top of your head? The latest and (apparently) final entry into the Skywalker saga within the Star Wars universe is just around the corner. It is always important to reflect on popular culture in the library. Such a large percentage of our collections embrace the idea of pop culture. Also, aspects of the fandoms can be great touchstones for reader’s advisory. If the teen you are trying to help doesn’t know how to explain their needs or desires in a book, asking for the name of their favorite Star Wars character could be the “in” that you need.
Here are some of my Y.A. book picks for select Star Wars characters:
Luke Skywalker
True Hero – Classic Storylines – Training Montages
The Final Six by Alexandra Monir (2018)
Leo and Naomi are drafted into the elite International Space Training Camp (ISTC). The fate of Earth rests on the final six out of the 24 drafted teens to scout a new planet. Leo has been yearning for a sense of purpose since he lost his family. He thinks that going to Jupiter’s moon Europa will be the perfect combination of adventure and helping others – just like a similar L-named character we know! Naomi thinks that ISTC isn’t being upfront about the mission though. Can they save the future of humanity?
Han Solo
Anti-Hero – Adventure Storylines – High Action
Starflight by Melissa Landers (2016)
Following the adventures of hard-knock orphan Solara, this Star Wars character book pick is idea for fans of Han Solo. The bulk of the story takes place on the Banshee (a starship of questionable repute). Sound like another ship that we know? The eccentric crew on the Banshee slowly develops into a family before discovering a secret on Planet X. This secret could change the course of the universe and thrilling adventure ensues.
General/Princess Leia Organa
Justice Seeker – Juggling Many Problems Storylines – Overcoming Odds
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan (2018)
The entire universe fears notorious outlaw Ia Chocha. The criminal mastermind and gifted pilot has been terrorizing the imperialist Olympus Commonwealth for years. They destroyed Ia’s home and the outlaw seeks vengeance. However, Ia is actually just a 17-year-old girl. The Commonwealth finally captures and exposes her, but such a move would never dampen Ia’s fire – or Leia’s either!
Darth Vader
Villain to Anti-Hero – Action Storylines – Power Corrupts
Nyxia by Scott Reintgen (2017)
Emmett is pulled into a deep space training program with ten other recruits for Babel Communications. All of them are broken but desperately wanting the promised fortune from the company. Their flaws give Babel the ability to remold them. The ruthless competition to earn the right to travel down to the planet Nyxia where fortunes are made gets rougher by the day. Emmett is forced to decide if he will fight to keep from compromising his humanity or win the fortune at any cost.
Yoda
Guide/Guardian – Hero’s Journey Storylines – Wisdom Through Experience
Mirage by Somaiya Daud (2018)
Living in a star system dominated by an evil empire, Amani dreams of poetry and adventure. Amani final gets her dream of adventure, but it isn’t what she expects. She is kidnapped by the regime to serve as a body double for the cruel princess. One wrong move could lead to Amani’s death. Despite the world of violence and fear in the palace, she must find a way back to her family. A little bit of Yoda’s helpful/not-so-helpful wisdom might be warranted.
Rey
True Hero – Chosen One Storylines – Coming into Abilities
Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston (2018)
Ana was found as a child drifting through space with a sentient droid. When that droid starts to fail, Ana tries to steal coordinates to a lost ship that could offer answers. Yet, she is beaten to the prize by a boy named Ironblood. With everything going wrong, Ironblood and Ana are declared fugitives from the kingdom. They go on the run in attempt to find a lost corner of the universe that could be what they seek. Rey and Ana are definitely kindred spirits.
Fin (FN-2187)
Reluctant Hero – Rebellion Storylines – Fear to Courage
Exo by Fonda Lee (2017)
Earth has become a colony to an alien race. Human Donovan Reyes has a bright future working as part of the security forces for the aliens. Despite peace on the surface between humans and aliens, some of the humans resist extraterrestrial rule. Donovan is abducted by the human revolutionaries when a routine mission goes wrong. Spending time with the rebels might open his eyes to the truth of this world – similar to Fin!
Kylo Ren
Reluctant Villain – Chaotic Storylines – Tortured Souls
A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna (2018)
This novel is an epic space opera. An exiled prince vows to regain his crown while a cursed queen sends her infant daughter far away. The infant grows to Esmae who longs to return home to her family. When a competition for the warship Titania is announced, Esmae sees her way home. She plans to announce her true identity and help her brother win back the throne. It’s too bad things don’t always go to plan.
What book picks for popular Star Wars characters would you include in this list? Do you have any selections for Star Wars characters that I didn’t include? Comment to let me know!
–by Brooke Windsor, currently binge watching Netflix Christmas lovey-dovey movies (Hopeless romantics never grow up.)