"The Higher Power of Lucky"

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Book Title:

The Higher Power of Lucky

Author:

Susan Patron

Illustrator:

Matt Phelan

Type of Book:

Novel

Age Level:

9-12

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

·      Lucky, a young girl, tries to take on life with her pal HMS Beagle, and her friend Lincoln, but she is convinced her guardian, Brigitte, will leave her, just as her parents did. She sets out to find her higher power, so that she may find the peace she feels is missing in her life.

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My Thoughts

·        I thought this book was pretty good! I was mostly impressed with Patron, and her incredible ability to get into the young child’s mind. Her portrayal of Lucky as, childish and sporadic, curious and wild, imaginative and trained was so clear to me. I remember thinking in those same ways when I was young, I remember being curious about new things/concepts, but feeling too embarrassed to bring them up. I remember using my imagination to create alternate realities and to convince myself of false truths. I remember having to stick in the mindset I was trained to use, the mindset of appropriate behavior and acceptable lifestyle choices, when really, all I wanted to do was be myself, silly, wild and carefree. I connected so well with Lucky in her quest for answers. Patron really brought me back to my childhood memories, and I am sure any students who read this, will be able to connect with Lucky on some level, and in some way, if not, many.

How to Use in the Classroom

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·      This novel could easily be used to bring up different lifestyles, places, people or concepts, in the classroom. For instance, living in the Midwest shelters us from the dry, hot weather of the desert. We don’t have to worry about sandstorms… And if you teach in an upper/middle class neighborhood, the schemas of living in a trailer park would be slim to none. The community felt in the book, by the neighbors looking after each other, would seem unreal to those who live miles away from their closest neighbor. I can see so many opportunities to expand schemas with this book. It could lead into so many different discussions about life, experiences and realities. I think it would be a great book to bring into the classroom.

More Resources:

• To visit Susan Patron's Website, click here.
• To learn more about the book and the controversy involved, click here.