The Higher Power of Lucky

The Higher Power of Lucky. By Susan Patron. Illustrated by Matt Phelan. 144 pages. Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 2006. Tr. $16.95. ISBN 978-1416901945

Summary: Two years have passed since Lucky’s mother’s death. Now Bridgette, her father’s first wife, cares for Lucky in the small desert town of Hard Pan, California. In this unusual town, twelve-step programs are scheduled around the clock, and in her part-time job as a sweeper, Lucky sits in on these meetings. Lucky is scared that Bridgette, homesick for France, will return to her country. Then who will take care of Lucky? Her father isn’t interested in fulfilling his fatherly duties.  She decides that she must take matters into her own hands, and following AAA precepts, runs away to start a new life for herself.

Critical Review:  When The Higher Power of Lucky was published, it unleashed a storm of criticism by some parents and librarians for the word “scrotum” on the fist page, and was unfortunately pulled from some library shelves. Others criticized the book for dealing with issues remote to the lives of many tweens.  How many tweens are interested in Charles Darwin or hold part-time jobs? Though Lucky is more mature than the average ten-year old, her fears of abandonment are relatable to many at this age. Patron’s sympathetic portrayal of these issues makes this a worthwhile book to share with any tween. At the book’s close, Lucy finds the love she needs. Lucky learns that Brigitte is submitting papers to adopt her.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Reading/Interest Level: 9-12 years

Awards: Newbery Medal (2007)

Reviews: School Library Journal (2007, May 1)

            Publisher’s Weekly (2007, February 12)

            PW Annex Reviews (2007, January 1)

Series: Lucky’s story is continued in Lucy Breaks (2009)

Similar Materials: Beverly Cleary’s Ramana Quimby series

Subjects/Themes: self-actualization; biology; poverty; alcoholism; loneliness; deserts; small-town life; unconventional families

Character Names: Lucky (our ten-year old heroine); Brigitte (Lucky’s father’s first wife, who cares for Lucky); Lincoln (a friend of Lucky’s who ties knots); Miles (a five-year old boy that thinks Lucky is his Mother); HMS Beagle (Lucky’s dog)

Author Website: http://susanpatron.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.mattphelan.com/new.html

Programming Ideas and/or Lesson Plans: http://teachershare.scholastic.com/resources/10405 (Making Wind Chimes)

Brief Annotation: A ten-year old girl named Lucky resolves to find her “higher power”, and to escape the challenges of her poverty-infested life in this Newbery Award winning book.