Module #3 Award Winners

Title: The Higher Power of Lucky

Citation:

Patron, S. (2006). The higher power of Lucky. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young
      Readers.

Summary:

This is the story of 10 year old Lucky who lives in the California desert with her French guardian Brigitte. They live in a small, depressed community where most people are unemployed, but basically content with their lives. Lucky overhears discussion about having to hit rock bottom before finding being able to find a “Higher Power”. Lucky feels that the death of her mother, the absence of her father and the possibility that Brigitte will return to France and leave her a ward of the state constitutes her rock bottom. She hatches a plan to run away in hopes that Brigitte will realize how much she loves Lucky, but the plan is disrupted by a sand storm.

Review:

Gr 4-6-When Lucky's mother is electrocuted and dies after a storm, Lucky's absentee father calls his ex-wife, Brigitte, to fly over from France to take care of the child. Two years later, the 10-year-old worries that Brigitte is tired of being her guardian and of their life in Hard Pan (pop. 42) in the middle of the California desert. While Lucky's best friend ties intricate knots and the little boy down the road cries for attention, she tries to get some control over her life by restocking her survival kit backpack and searching for her "Higher Power." This character-driven novel has an unusually complicated backstory, and a fair amount of exposition. Yet, its quirky cast and local color help to balance this fact, and the desert setting is fascinating. Lucky's tendency to jump to conclusions is frustrating, but her struggle to come to terms with her mother's death and with her new life ring true. Phelan's cover and line drawings are simple and evocative, a perfect complement to the text. Fans of novels by Deborah Wiles and Katherine Hannigan will be happy to meet Lucky.-Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Review Source:

Furness, A. (Dec 2006). The higher power of lucky (Book Review) School Library Journal. 52(12) 152-152.

Impressions:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am aware that it has been challenged for the use of the word scrotum on page one, but feel that it does not detract from the book. Lucky is a matter-of-fact kids who has learned a lot in her short life through the school of hard knocks. She has been exposed to many harsh realities of life.  Questions of anatomy, in this case a dog’s anatomy, are just a small part of life in the desert.  Lucky is a thoughtful, soul-searching young girl experiencing anxiety about her place in the world who ultimately puts others before herself and who chooses to do the right thing. The author doesn’t force this notion down the reader’s throat, but it is a strong element of this book.

Suggested Use(s):

1.     Integrate reading and Science by doing a science unit on desert habitat. Study the plants and animals of the desert. Discuss animal and human adaptations to life in the desert.

2.     Provide each student with a length of rope and learn a variety of knots.

3.     Have each student pack (either literally or figuratively) a survival pack like Lucky carries with her and bring it to school. Depending on their age students can either orally explain to the class why each item was selected of they could write out their explanation.

Additional Information:

Awards: Winner 2007 John Newberry Medal

Illustrator: Phelan, Matt

Interest Level: 3-6

Reading Level: 5.8

Lexile Measure: 1010