Share for friends:

Read The Higher Power Of Lucky (2006)

The Higher Power of Lucky (2006)

Online Book

Author
Genre
Rating
3.55 of 5 Votes: 2
Your rating
ISBN
1416901949 (ISBN13: 9781416901945)
Language
English
Publisher
atheneum/richard jackson books

The Higher Power Of Lucky (2006) - Plot & Excerpts

Genre: Junior Book- Contemporary RealismSummary: Lucky is a ten year old girl who has, unfortunately, not been very lucky in her life so far. Her mother died after stepping on a fallen power line, her father abandoned her, and now she believed her guardian Brigitte was leaving her to go back to France. Lucky needed some kind of control on her life, so she decided to run away where she was finally given the clarity she was looking for. Critique- The character development of Lucky.Lucky has had a lot to deal with in her short life so far, and the reader really comes to feel for her character. Lucky’s innocence grabs at the reader’s heart after knowing all that she has gone through. Throughout the story, Patron gives slight insights into what Lucky is thinking and how she is grieving. Her insecurities, which were likely developed through the abandonment she has already experienced, are a major theme of the book. In general, the issues dealt with in the book are complex and would fare well in an older audience. I enjoyed the book because I felt for Lucky’s character and wanted her to overcome her circumstances; but younger readers tend to read things more literally and might not become as connected to the character. Throughout the book Lucky is portrayed as a strong and independent girl. She came and went as she pleased, and even scared snakes out of the dryer when her guardian was scared. However, numerous parts in the book give the reader insight to the pain that Lucky is feeling about the death of her mother, and the insecurities she has of not being a ‘good enough’ child. There is a conflict going on with Lucky between how she feels inside, and how she acts on the outside. Very early in the story one of Lucky’s insecurities is revealed when she says “Brigitte did not fully realize the ways Lucky was almost perfect, but she did notice thoroughly the ways Lucky was not (p 13).” The part of the story that really made me want to cry while reading was at the end of the story, when Lucky released the ashes of her mother in front of the town. It was as if she was letting go of her insecurities and accepting Brigitte as her guardian for good. Curriculum Connection: In younger age groups, the book could be used as a curriculum connection to science to teach theories of evolution and Charles Darwin. It would also be used to teach about habitats, and the desert habitat. I think this story would need to be used with a higher age group because of the issues present in the story. With the higher age groups issues such as conflict, conflict resolution, and character analysis could be studied.

This book may ring a bell because of the laughable controversy stirred up over the use of the word "scrotum" in a blink-and-you'll-miss it reference about a snake biting someone's pet dog. Ironically, the author probably chose the clinical term on purpose to avoid trouble, since the significantly rough-around-the-edges character who tells the story would almost certainly phrase it quite differently had he been a flesh and blood figure, but what can you do? As silly as this is, I feel like I have to get that out of the way however, because in reality, while the "scrotum" issue is ridiculous, there are a fair share of legitimate problems with this book (Newbery Award notwithstanding). A little girl who searches (as a classmate of mine eloquently phrased it) for "something bigger than herself" in the somewhat barren world of Flat Pan seems like plot gold, but a good idea executed this ineffectively is still a problem. With the exception of Lucky, the characterizations lack depth. The plot is contrived and liberally glazed with sentimentality. And for a plot so blatantly convenient--the conveniences could at least be a smidge more believable. Does it make sense for a person to open a cafe successfully in a town where everyone receives government-supplied canned goods because no one can afford groceries? Is it remotely believable for the very savvy, well-prepared, and survival-minded Lucky to think for a second that the "perfect" time to implement a plan to run away is in the middle of a well-publicized and dangerous sand storm? Does it make sense for the author to take a heroine who has been enormously likeable and sympathetic through 75% of the book and (with just a few strokes) turn her into an unrepentant mean-tempered brat at the very end? And yet all of this comes to pass. There are Newbery Award books I don't like as much as others, but usually I can at least spot the appeal. This one leaves me in the dark, though.

What do You think about The Higher Power Of Lucky (2006)?

Summary: Lucky, an inquisitive and adventurous tween, lives in a small tight-knit desert community where she struggles to make sense of life's uncertainties like her mother's death, her father's disappearance from her life, and the degree of devotion of her guardian. Just as the people at addiction support group meetings on which Lucky spies, she hopes to find her "Higher Power" in order to make sense of things. Lucky's internal struggles with fear and trust (along with her tendency to get carried away) drive her to run away to avoid getting hurt. Lucky prides herself in being ready for anything, but on this journey she encounters much that she never anticipated. Audience: Fluent readers, 3rd-6th grade.Uses: Read Aloud (for the pleasure of a great story), Language Arts-discussion of literary elements such as plot, character development, irony, symbolism, and narrative styleAdditional Notes: Winner of the Newberry Medal, may consider a letter to parents of introduction (defense) for the use of the word "scrotum" on the first page, students may need some background information to understand context regarding: AA and similar support meetings
—Amy

This is a Newbury Award winning book about Lucky, a 10 year old girl who lives in a tiny California town. She eavesdrops on 12 Step Program meetings, so she has become familiar with the concept of a Higher Power. She has a French Guardian named Brigitte because Lucky’s mother was tragically killed when Lucky was 8, and her father doesn’t want a relationship with her. She also has a dog and two quirky friends named Lincoln and Miles who figure prominently in Lucky's life. Because of the stories of hardship that Lucky hears at the 12 Step Programs and her complicated family situation, Lucky has a lot of anxiety and always suspects Brigitte wants to abandon her to return to France. Lucky decides to rely on her own Higher Power, and believes she should run away. She leaves town, but doesn’t get far because running away is more difficult than she anticipated. Before too long Brigitte finds Lucky and they both return home. The story has a surprise ending for Lucky – she completely misjudged Brigitte and Brigitte’s plans for the two of them. I recommend this book for children in at least 5th grade. The plot has many mature aspects to it and I think that in order for students to appreciate the richness of the storyline, they’d need to understand the subplots. Students at a slightly younger age (4th grade) who have life experiences with 12 Step Programs and absentee parents would likely relate to the characters and story.
—Kathleen

This is one of my favorite Newbery books to date!!!!Once again, I am in awe of the ability of YA books to reach out and tug at heartstrings while dealing with very complex issues.I highly recommend this profoundly moving tale of Lucky, a rough and tumble ten year old whose mother died tragically and thus now is in the guardianship of her father's previous wife Brigitte.Brigitte moves from France to temporarily take care of Lucky until a "real" home can be found.Living in three tiny connected trailers, existing in poverty in the hot, dry desert community of Hard Pan, California (total population of 43), Lucky, who does not perceive herself as such, fears that one day Brigitte will leave and return to a better life in France.Shirking the responsibility of raising Lucky, her father periodically sends checks to Bridget that are never enough to cover bare necessities.Strongly fearing it is only a matter of time until Brigitte moves back to France and thus tosses her aside, Lucky, ever aware of needing protection, carries a "rescue kit" with her at all times.While sweeping and cleaning the Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center, Lucky quietly listens to the testimonials of the AAA meetings where she hears the stories of those saved by trusting the "higher power." Lucky knows that if only she can find her higher power, she will have a better life.Lucky's friends consist of her lovable, loyal dog HMS Beagle, knot-tying obsessed Lincoln (named because his mother wants him to grow up to be the President of the US), and scrappy little five year old cookie mooching Miles, also a orphan-like waif, raised by his grandmother.Wanting to be the one who leaves and abandons before this happens to her, Lucky runs away. Using the resources she stashed away in her rescue kit, she lives overnight in a cave.When Brigitte and town members rescue Lucky, she learns that Brigit is in the process of adopting her and it was never was her plan to leave.Lucky discovers that her "higher power" is indeed the fact that not only is she loved by Brigitte, but also by the 43 people of the town.
—Linda Lipko

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Read books by author Susan Patron

Read books in series The Hard Pan Trilogy

Read books in category Poetry