Because You're Lucky [Hardcover]

Irene Smalls (Author), Michael Hays (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

When Kevin comes to live at his cousin Jonathan's house, both boys must make some big adjustments.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?A warm, realistic story about an African-American family. When Kevin comes to live at his cousin Jonathan's house, Jonathan is resentful of all the things he has to share?his room, his clothes, his mother, even his school. Jonathan excels in school and chess, while Kevin struggles with reading but likes sports and action figures. Gradually the boys begin to form a friendship by sharing their interests, and soon realize that there is room in the house for both of them. Children who have been in either Kevin or Jonathan's place will identify with the youngsters. The dialogue lacks the sparkle of Smalls's Irene and the Big, Fine Nickel (Little, Brown, 1991), but the text flows smoothly and works perfectly with the well-executed paintings, done primarily in soft blues, greens, and yellows. The relationship between the boys is convincing, although Kevin's relentlessly upbeat attitude is not entirely believable given that he arrived "without a toothbrush or a toy...without a mommy or a daddy." The most surprising aspect of the story is that the details of Kevin's background are never revealed, leaving readers to wonder what chain of events led him to Jonathan's door. Children will inevitably be curious about these details, and may feel confused by the lack of information. Nevertheless, they will take comfort in the story's overall messages of love, acceptance, and togetherness.?Dawn Amsberry, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Jonathan's family must learn to adjust when orphaned cousin Kevin comes to live with them. At first Jonathan feels put out and jealoushe must share his clothes and room with Kevin; at school, the other students take to Kevin's friendliness instantly. When Jonathan asks, ``How come I have to share my clothes? How come he gets to sleep in my bunk bed?'' his mother answers, ``Because you're lucky. You have a home, a family, so many things and so much love.'' After the boys fight, Kevin moves into the guest room (which wasn't mentioned as an option before) and they find they miss each other, eventually becoming inseparable. The story is well-intentioned, and Smalls's heart is in the right placebut the entire venture is stiff with lessons. Jonathan's mother offers textbook reassurances, but her perspective often overwhelms her son's. A teenage sister, Dawn, disappears after two pages, right after she and Jonathan have expressed, openly and without real parental comment, their dislike of Kevin. Hays's illustrations are colorful but static, adding to the atmosphere of bibliotherapy. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; 1st edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316798673
• ISBN-13: 978-0316798679
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,503,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lucky??, June 12, 2003

By 

TheRAWKidzReview - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because You're Lucky (Hardcover)

Irene Small has written a host of children's stories on various topics. In BECAUSE YOU'RE LUCKY, she introduces us to Kevin who has come to stay with his cousin's family empty-handed. His cousin Jonathon gives him a hard time from the very beginning because he doesn't like that he has to share everything with Kevin, so he lashes out at Kevin and questions his mother. She teaches him that families are always there for each other and "lucky" to be able to learn new things about each other.

This is a simple book with nice illustrations, however, I wasn't too sure I liked the title of the book. Children may get the impression that getting their basic needs met is a matter of luck vs the intended message, which I interpreted as Jonathon being lucky because he had Kevin as a cousin and a friend. Additionally, I felt the book left a few areas open that should have been addressed; specifically the relationship Kevin had with his older cousin Dawn.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lucky??, June 12, 2003

By 

TheRAWKidzReview - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because You're Lucky (Hardcover)

Irene Small has written a host of children's stories on various topics. In BECAUSE YOU'RE LUCKY, she introduces us to Kevin who has come to stay with his cousin's family empty-handed. His cousin Jonathon gives him a hard time from the very beginning because he doesn't like that he has to share everything with Kevin, so he lashes out at Kevin and questions his mother. She teaches him that families are always there for each other and "lucky" to be able to learn new things about each other.

This is a simple book with nice illustrations, however, I wasn't too sure I liked the title of the book. Children may get the impression that getting their basic needs met is a matter of luck vs the intended message, which I interpreted as Jonathon being lucky because he had Kevin as a cousin and a friend. Additionally, I felt the book left a few areas open that should have been addressed; specifically the relationship Kevin had with his older cousin Dawn.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

3.0 out of 5 stars Lucky??, June 12, 2003

By 

TheRAWKidzReview - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because You're Lucky (Hardcover)

Irene Small has written a host of children's stories on various topics. In BECAUSE YOU'RE LUCKY, she introduces us to Kevin who has come to stay with his cousin's family empty-handed. His cousin Jonathon gives him a hard time from the very beginning because he doesn't like that he has to share everything with Kevin, so he lashes out at Kevin and questions his mother. She teaches him that families are always there for each other and "lucky" to be able to learn new things about each other.

This is a simple book with nice illustrations, however, I wasn't too sure I liked the title of the book. Children may get the impression that getting their basic needs met is a matter of luck vs the intended message, which I interpreted as Jonathon being lucky because he had Kevin as a cousin and a friend. Additionally, I felt the book left a few areas open that should have been addressed; specifically the relationship Kevin had with his older cousin Dawn.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers