The Higher Power of Lucky

What do you do when your mother dies and the first wife of your father (who didn't want you) moves from France to the California desert to be your guardian but you secretly fear she wants to go back and leave you, too? And what do you, the reader, do when people object to the book because the word "scrotum" (referring to a dog's) is on the first page? You sit back and enjoy every minute of Lucky's life and you cry at the end.

From the book:
"Her regular clothes were faded from many washings and from the sun, but the redness of this dress was the same thing for your eyes as a sonic boom is for your ears, or a jalapeno pepper is for your mouth."

I absolutely loved The Higher Power of Lucky and found it remarkably engaging. Patron did an incredible job of seeing the world through the eyes of a ten-year-old, being true to Lucky's view of the world as our narrator, but still allows readers to have a sense of Lucky's world of which she is not yet aware.

The Higher Power of Lucky has gotten a lot of controversy and press regarding its use of the word scrotum, and I read it for my children's literature class as one of the banned books. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to those who know me that I think banning this book is ludicrous. The scrotum is a basic part of human, and in this case, animal, anatomy. I strongly believe in teaching children proper terms for anatomy and ensuring a show more free flow of information. It is incredibly ironic that Lucky's confusion over the word caused an uproar. By the book's end, she asks Brigitte what the word actually means. To me, this detail provides a beautiful metaphor for how children view the world. Lucky overheard the word in a setting her caretaker couldn't imagine; children are exposed to words in a myriad of ways. Both literature and trusted adults are valuable ways to disseminate accurate information to children to counteract the inaccuracies or incompleteness of information they are often exposed to elsewhere.

There is a sequel, Lucky Breaks, that picks up the now eleven-years-old Lucky, and I'm looking forward to reading it. show less

It's easy to see why The Higher Power of Lucky won the Newbery Medal, but not so easy to see why such a fuss was made when it came out over the author's use of the word scrotum. Seriously? Oh well. Lucky's story does touch on some heavy subjects (addiction and 12-step meetings, death, jail, poverty) that parents of ambitious younger readers might want to be aware of, but Patron tackles them with a tender, discerning eye, and the book's beautiful illustrations further soften their impact. I suspect this is one that resonates differently with children and adults too. Personally, I cried my eyes out (happy/bittersweet tears) over one scene towards the end, but a child might have a different reaction. Lucky, Lincoln, and Miles are wonderful show more characters, and Patron paints the adults of Hard Pan, California with a colorful brush too. Good stuff here all around! show less

This is one of those books I picked up because of it's Newbery medal, but was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The characters were true sounding, full of unusual quirks. The story, set in a tiny desert town was well crafted and the townsfolk and town itself was unusual and interesting. I genuinely liked Lucky, and even when she was not being her best, still looked forward to a happy ending.

Continuing my quest to read the Newbery Award winning books, this is the latest.

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 show more 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. show less

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron reminds me (in all the best ways) of the Ramona books I loved as a kid.

Lucky is smart, observant, and quirky, and it's fun to see her navigate her world. That world has its issues (deep poverty and absent parents among them). But it's also a world full of love and hope.

If you like realistic middle grades, and you haven't read this one yet, I strongly recommend it.

Let me start off by saying that the world needs more variety when it comes to representation of family in young readers literature. This book includes just such a situation, even if the way it comes together is highly unusual.

Lucky's mother has passed away and she is being looked after by a temporary guardian. Each character and situation bring Lucky closer to understanding herself and discovering the true idea behind the word "family." The events of the book also teach her about pushing past your fears and finding determination. There is even a little adventure near the end. The story itself can feel odd in places, but I actually found it unique and entertaining.

This is a book of relationships and making it through hard times. It shows show more us that we don't have to be blood relations to love each other like a family would. I think any child with a unique voice or a typically underrepresented family structure should identify with this story, but I think just about anyone should be able to enjoy this quirky little girl and her rather interesting acquaintances. show less