The Higher Power of Lucky

Author: Susan Patron

Illustartor: Matt Phelan

Copyright: 2006

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Patron, Susan, and Matt Phelan. The higher power of Lucky. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. Print.

Reading Level: 5.5

Lexile Measure: 1010L

Genre: General Fiction

Description: In search for the higher power, knowledge filled characters, a quest, heartwarming, overcoming adversity.

Delivery Suggestion: Independent reading or small-groups.

Summary: This Newberry Medal winner is about a ten year old girl, Lucky, who is in search to find her higher power. After eavesdropping on numerous 12-step recovery meetings, lucky is determined to find what these people are talking about. However, as an orphan, Lucky has an ongoing worry that her guardian, Brigitte, is going to abandon her to flee back to her family in France. The only way Lucky feels she can escape this fear is by running away with her beloved dog HMS beagle. What she did not expect though was to run into a giant wind storm. Good thing lucky has her infamous survival backpack.

Electronic Resources:

Charles Darwin This webpage is dedicated to Charles Darwin and his discoveries and journey. It is kid friendly and very interactive. Lucky was extremely fascinated with Charles Darwin, experimenting, and science projects. This resource can give students a better idea of what Lucky is so interested in.

Survival Throughout the story Lucky is always referencing her survival backpack and its importance. This resource provides students with the opportunity to become “equipped” and prepared for survival. Students can get a better understanding of why Lucky cherishes her survival kit so much.

Vocabulary: anonymous, antivenom, banquette, capillaries, commodities, crevices, enzymes, evolved, inventory, pension, secretions, specimen, splendiferous.

Teaching Suggestions:

-Use this book to discuss quests or journeys.

-Use this book as a supplement to a science unit about evolution.

-Use this book as a supplement to geography. Have students determine which referenced locations from the text are real or fake by searching for them on a map.

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: The setting of the story is Hard Pan, California, which has a population of 43. The text takes place in strictly Hard Pan, referencing many characteristics and attributes to the town. For instance, almost everyone in Hard Pan qualifies for government surplus commodities. Provide students with the opportunity to conduct research on Hard Pan to better understand such attributes the story frequently references.

During Reading: Create character trait lists for the main characters in the story. For example, Lucky, Lincoln, Short Sammy, Miles, and Brigitte. Each character holds distinct qualities and traits. Throughout the story, as you get to know the characters, add to the lists.

After Reading: Instruct students to think about finding their Higher Power. Ask them, ‘have you ever been on a mission to find or accomplish something? What was it? How did you get there?’ after students write about this individually in their journals, they will meet in small groups and discuss their experiences.

Writing Activity:

Students will write a response to the following question: Lucky is looking for her Higher Power throughout this story. What did that term mean to her and what does it mean to you?