Module 6: Fiction, Fantasy, and Young Adult Literature - THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

Patron, Susan. 2006. THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. Ill. by Matt Phelan. New York: Antheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 1416901949

PLOT SUMMARY:

Lucky Trimble has been through a lot in her ten years of life, but the life-changing experience she has when she decides to run away is unlike anything she has been through before. With an absent father and a deceased mother who died tragically when Lucky was eight, Lucky lives with her father’s first wife, a French woman named Brigitte, in the tiny desert town of Hard Pan, California. An odd and eccentric girl, Lucky spends a lot of her free time listening in on twelve-step programs for recovering addicts of all sorts. Through these eavesdropping sessions, Lucky learns about people finding their “Higher Power,” and she becomes determined to find her own “Higher Power” and get control of her young life. When Lucky convinces herself that Brigitte will go back to France and abandon her like the other adults in her life, she makes the desperate choice to run away into the desert with nothing but her survival-kit backpack and dog. Things don’t turn out as planned for Lucky, though, as she is faced with a fierce windstorm, finding a five year old boy named Miles tagging along, and a bug in her ear. In the end, Lucky and Miles are found, and Lucky finally brings herself to say goodbye to her mother by scattering her remains in the windstorm. Brigitte and Lucky clear up the misunderstanding about Brigitte’s plans to leave, and Brigitte reassures Lucky that she will never abandon her and takes steps to legally adopt her. Lucky finally attains a much-needed source of stability and happiness in her life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The unique and eccentric cast of characters in THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY adds depth and intrigue to the story. Despite Lucky’s odd and unconventional behaviors, she is instantly likeable and easy to sympathize with. The reader can sense the strong emotions and desperate needs that drive her actions, and her uniqueness adds to the believability of her character. Especially refreshing is the depiction of Lucky as an individual girl that does not easily fit traditional feminine stereotypes. A bizarre fascination with twelve step programs and a fondness for bugs make Lucky unique and endearing. Similarly, Brigitte, Lucky’s French “Guardian,” is unique, charming, and likeable, and readers will find themselves hoping that Lucky stays with Brigitte forever. Other peculiar characters, such as Lincoln, Miles, and Short Sammy, also add to the appeal of this story.

The originality of the plot in this story provides readers with a fresh and exceptional tale. The uniqueness of Lucky’s circumstances gives depth to the plot and moves the story forward in a compelling way. As Lucky’s tragic story unfolds and her plan to run away materializes, readers will find themselves anxious to find out what will happen next.

THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY takes place in the small desert town of Hard Pan, California (population 43) in the present. Patron does a great job describing Lucky’s tiny hometown, and the extremely small population of the town plays a big role in defining Lucky’s thoughts and experiences. The setting is significant to the story, and readers will appreciate Patron’s ability to weave such an intriguing story in such a unique place.

Readers will enjoy following along with Lucky as she searches for her place in the world, and her pursuit for finding out who she is and where she belongs is a major theme of this story. The difficulties Lucky has experienced in her life leave her feeling alone and terrified of being abandoned by the people closest to her. The fact that she carries a “survival-kit backpack” with her is proof of this fear of abandonment. In her search for her “Higher Power,” Lucky eventually achieves the sense of love and security that she desperately needs from Brigitte.

Patron’s style reveals a unique, modern, and realistic look at Lucky’s young life. The dialogue between characters is believable, and the combination of bizarre circumstances and emotional tragedies makes for a truly fascinating story. Even some of the strange chapter titles, such as “Tarantula Hawk Wasp” and “Smokers Anonymous,” reveal Patron’s creativity and the unusual nature of the characters and story. The inclusion of small black and white illustrations throughout the story add to the visual appeal of the story and increase the reader’s ability to sympathize with Lucky’s plight.

While some may question the inclusion of some mature language in the first chapter of the book, THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY is a unique and convincing tale that deserves a place in any children’s collection. The eccentric characters and emotional plot will mesmerize readers as they hope for a happy ending and a loving home for Lucky.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

From KIRKUS REVIEW starred (October 15, 2006):
“Hard Pan may be lightly populated, but every soul is uniquely unforgettable, from 5-year-old Miles, shameless cookie hustler, to Lincoln, serious knot-tying addict. Readers will gladly give themselves over to Patron, a master of light but sure characterization and closely observed detail. A small gem.”

From BOOKLIST (December 1, 2006 (Vol. 103, No. 7)):
“Patron's plotting is as tight as her characters are endearing. Lucky is a true heroine, especially because she's not perfect: she does some cowardly things, but she takes pains to put them to rights.”

From HORN BOOK starred (Spring 2007):
“The book's brief chapters reflect the cyclical, episodic nature of life in Hard Pan, while meandering yet meticulously crafted sentences illustrate Lucky's natural curiosity and the importance of storytelling in her life. Patron's sensory descriptions of Hard Pan and the surrounding desert, supported by Phelan's gentle spot art, animate this unique community.”

*Awards:
2007 Newbery Medal Winner

CONNECTIONS:

*Other realistic fiction by Susan Patron:
Patron, Susan. 2009. MAYBE YES, MAYBE NO, MAYBE MAYBE. New York: Aladdin. ISBN 1416961763 (Not yet published)

Patron, Susan. 2009. LUCKY BREAKS. Ill. by Matt Phelan. New York: Ginee Seo Books. ISBN 1416939989 (Not yet published)

*Activities:
Students may enjoy extending this story by writing the next chapter in Lucky’s life. What happens after Brigitte legally adopts Lucky? What happens next for Miles and Lincoln?

Another fun activity might be to have students describe the contents of their own “survival-kit backpacks.” What items would be important to have with you at all times? What is the personal significance of each item in your backpack?

Since the characters in THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY are so eccentric and unique, students may also enjoy the opportunity to perform a small part of the story as a Reader’s Theater activity.

Since the setting of this story is so unique and intriguing, children may be interested in researching rural desert towns like Hard Pan. They may want to know if Hard Pan, California really exists, and they may also be curious to learn more about what the words “hard pan” refer to (for information on hardpan soil see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardpan). Children may be fascinated by comparing and contrasting Lucky’s hometown with their own city or town.

*Websites:
http://alfocus.ala.org/videos/susan-patron-interview
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6440037.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardpan