Book Review: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Interest Level:
Ages 12-14

Reading Level:
Lexile 1010, Grades 8.

Book Theme:
Death of a parent, being raised by a surrogate parent

Books with Similar Themes: 
The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli, Lovingly Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Bibliographic Information: 
Patron, S.(2006). The higher power of Lucky. New York: Anthenum Books for Young Readers.


Plot: 

Ten-year-old Lucky Trimble is a young child who recently lost her mother in a freak accident and is being raised by her guardian Brigitte. She lives in the middle of the desert in Hard Pan, California, population 43, where the other people are nice but like her live in difficult situations. Lucky lives in fear the Brigitte will go back to France and abandon her. After listening to several Anonymous Twelve-Step meetings Lucky hears people talking about finding their higher power and she decides that she too must find her higher power to keep Brigitte from leaving her to go back to France. As the story unfolds more is revealed about Lucky, her mother’s death, her absent father, and her relationship with Brigitte. When she discovers evidence that Brigitte is leaving Lucky feels no choice but to run away in hopes that it will convince her to stay after all, but then Lucky finds herself running away in a sandstorm!

Review:  
The Higher Power of Lucky is an incredible story that deals with some tough issues for tweens including death of a parent, feelings of abandonment, children with parents who are in jail, and poverty. The story touches on these issues in away that isn't over-dramatic or graphic. It is all described simply but also in a way that is very powerful. The reader can feel Lucky's pain and confusion over the death of her mother and over the fear of losing Brigitte. The scene where Lucky cries into her mother's urn conveys such strong emotions in such little words and is a great example of writing for tweens that both gently and powerfully expresses the sorrow of loss. This is an excellent book for any tween who has lost a parent, lives with a guardian, lives in a neighborhood filled with poverty and tough situations, or even one who is just trying to find his or her higher power. Definitely a top-pick tween read!

Notable Tweens Characters: 

Lucky Trimble- The main character of the story who has lost her mother and lives with her French guardian Brigitte. Lucky struggles with feeling angry at times and finds herself getting easily annoyed with a little boy named Miles who always wants to hear Are You My Mother? Lucky has a dog named HMS Beagle.

Lincoln Clinton Carter Kennedy- Lucky's best friend and someone she has budding feelings for, Lincoln's mother wants him to be president but he only wants to be a famous for untying knots.