The holidays make me think of my favorite books and movies, for some reason; maybe it’s the magic in the air, or maybe it’s a necessary bit of escapism during a hectic season, but there’s nothing I enjoy more during the Christmas season than sitting down with a good fantasy book or a great sci-fi movie.

My wife and I are expecting our first child, and despite the fact that it’s probably too early to be doing a ton of book shopping, we couldn’t help but pick up a few books for the baby recently.  Wandering through the children’s book section of our local bookshop, I came across The Jedi Path, written by an uncredited Daniel Wallace.  The book’s subtitle, “A Manual for Students of the Force,” is accurate: it’s a fictional textbook for students of the Jedi Order.  Even better, it’s intended to be an old, used textbook of the Jedi Order, and is filled with colorful inscriptions from all of its past owners, including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin, Luke, Ahsoka, and more.  The book succeeds because it takes itself seriously: it presents the tenets of the Jedi calling with respect and reverence, and doesn’t pull any punches.  It will be years before my son’s old enough for any of it to really make sense to him, but I look forward to reading him to sleep with it.

It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for the Star Wars fan in your life, young or old (it doesn’t write down to children), and the deluxe “Vault” edition would take a place of honor under the tree (or menorah, or Festivus pole, etc.).  Give your family the gift of the Force this holiday season.