The Higher Power of Lucky

By: Susan Patron

Illustrations By: Matt Phelan

Published by Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 2006

Reading Level: Lexile 1010

Independent Read, 5.5

 

Humorous, Intriguing, Unexpected, Fascinating, Interesting

Lucky Trimble isn’t so fortunate. Lucky is ten years old and worried about being abandon by her legal guardian Bridgette whom was her father’s former wife and has come from France to care for Lucky. Lucky’s mother died from an accidental electrocution after a bad storm and father has abandoned her. Lucky seeks to be a scientist like her hero Charles Darwin but is always nervous of what is to come. Worried that Bridgette will leave Lucky to move back to France and have to leave her dog HMS Beagle behind to go to an orphanage is constantly carrying around her survival kit backpack. Living in Hard Pan, California, population of 43, she is scared of losing her good friends Lincoln, former U.S. president who loves to tie knots, and Miles who is obsessed with the book, ‘Are You My Mother?’ and cookies. Lucky eavesdrops on twelve-step anonymous meetings, where she works, and assumes that once she finds her ‘Higher Power’ as the people in the meeting have only then will all her troubles be answered.

Note:

Susan Patron uses the word scrotum on page one whom some adults seem to think as inappropriate. Patron is telling the story of Short Sammy in the anonymous meeting that a snake once bit his dog on the scrotum. When Lucky questioned Bridgette of the meaning she simply said, ‘it’s the sac on a male containing sperm to make a baby. In my opinion, it is the correct scientific term and should not discourage you on allowing your students to read this amazing book.

Key Vocabulary -

In order to fully understand Lucky your students must know the following words: specimens, orphanage, cholla burr, languid, crevice, meanness gland, commodities, secretions, capillaries.

Teaching Suggestions –

Before Reading: Show your students on a map where is France and California. Inform them what a twelve step anonymous program is. Although Lucky does explain within the book give your students an overview beforehand. The book does a great job of explaining what the chapter is about. Chapter 1 is called Eavesdropping, have a discussion with your students afterwards to make sure they understand how Susan Patron is introducing the chapters. Students may get emotional and develop a strong connection with Lucky, it is best to know your students as much as possible and their home status.

During Reading: After Chapter 10 have your students do a KWL about ‘Higher Power’. Lucky will somewhat discuss of it before but she does not fully explain why she wants to find her Higher Power or what she thought it was until Chapter 11. Or you can connect the book to Science by doing a KWL on Charles Darwin (if not previously taught) and why Lucky named her dog HMS Beagle which is explained on page 8.

After Reading: Have your student’s write of a time they thought they hit rock bottom and what helped them get back up. Inform your students that everyone has their own problems they deal with daily and although different from yours are problems within that person’s life. Question the students if they think running away was the correct solution to Lucky’s problems. Discuss of the government surplus commodities and that you should not be ashamed.

Electronic Resources –

The International Guild of Knot Tyers: Lincoln was one of the youngest members. Have your students visit the site and start at the beginners section which shows pictures and names of different types of knots that the students can try with step by step instructions.

 

 Authors Site: Susan Patron speaks of herself and how she loved to read which lead her to be a librarian and a writer. Patron gives a little information about each of her books and what other languages the books have translated to. She speaks of dates of book signings that you are able to attend if in the area. She also included a tab for teachers of suggested classroom activities for The Higher Power of Lucky that are linked to other subjects such as history, art, science, etc.