Book Review: The Higher Power of Lucky
Rated by 2 members
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the main character's mother was
electrocuted by a downed power line, and her father has
abandoned her. There are several discussions of a dog's scrotum
(which led to the banning of this book by some school
libraries), and references to smoking, drinking, and
marijuana.
Families who read this book could discuss Lucky's "meanness gland." Why are even good people sometimes mean? Why does Lucky sometimes like being mean? Do you ever feel this way? What do you do about it?
Common Sense Media Review
This kind of book is catnip to Newbery committees: the lack
of plot, the eccentric characters in a small community, the
combination of humor and pathos, the sad but plucky protagonist
in dire straits, the unhurried and media-free lives the
characters lead -- it's all here. And author Susan Patron does
a lovely job of it.
As is important in a slice-of-life piece like this, the secondary characters are fascinating. Lucky's friends are: Lincoln, whose obsession is tying intricate knots, and whose mother is so sure he will be president some day that she named him Lincoln Clinton Carter Kennedy; and Miles, who spends his days cruising the neighbors for cookies and begging Lucky to read him his favorite story, Are You My Mother? Neighbors include a man who lives in an old water tank and cooks everything in bacon grease, and the Captain, who has a glass observation dome on his house. And in a town of 43 people there are four different 12-step groups meeting, for alcohol, gambling, smoking, and overeating.
Lucky herself is intriguing. She always carries a survival kit backpack, her hero is Charles Darwin (she named her dog HMS Beagle), she plans to be a scientist, and she collects bugs in the breath mint containers thrown out by the 12-step groups who fascinate Lucky. Even the desert setting becomes a character. And all of it is delicately captured in little black-and-white illustrations by Matt Phelan that perfectly match the tone of the text.
As with any book of this type, it's not for every kid. Those who need plot-driven action will likely find it dull. But kids who loved Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo will probably love this one too.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
