Lucky Breaks [Hardcover]

Susan Patron (Author), Matt Phelan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2009

"Eleven is much more intrepid than only ten."

On the eve of her eleventh birthday, Lucky wants to let loose and become intrepid; she's ready for life to change. But Hard Pan (population 43) drones on like it always has: Lincoln all tied up in knotty matters, Miles newly diagnosed as a genius but as needy as ever, Brigitte running her Café and trying to figure out what it means to be American.

Enter Paloma, tagging along on a visit to Hard Pan with a pack of hungry geologists. She's smart and pretty and fun -- definitely best-friend material. But will Lucky be able to cope with tomato worms, Short Sammy's mysterious box, the potential for disaster when Paloma's parents visit Hard Pan, and Lincoln's fame among knot tyers of the world?

Lucky's intrepidness is put to the test in this satisfying sequel to the Newbery Award-winning The Higher Power of Lucky.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—Lucky is back. In this sequel to The Higher Power of Lucky (S & S, 2006), Milo, Lincoln, Brigitte, Short Sammy, and HMS Beagle are all present and accounted for, hewing to their idiosyncratic ways and weaving in the psychological safety that makes Lucky's world a charmer of a place. The girl settles in with Brigitte, her foster mother, and enjoys her home and friends. She discovers the fun of a best friend who shares her gender as she instantly bonds with a girl accompanying the "ologists" who've come to Brigitte's Hard Pan Café. However, Lucky is not a child who is ever going to proceed calmly and sedately through life. From the minute she meets Paloma, whose parents are overly concerned for her safety in the desert, it is almost inevitable that Lucky will think up an escapade that will bring them into real danger. Unusual metaphors, vivid language, felicitous writing, and the sense of hearing from a realistic, albeit unique child are the strengths that continue in this sequel that is as tightly plotted as the first book.—Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library
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From Booklist

Two years may have passed since Patron’s The Higher Power of Lucky (2006 )won the Newbery, but Lucky herself has only aged one year since those adventures: now she’s just days away from her eleventh birthday and a planned party that will bring together all 43 residents of the desert community of Hard Pan. Unlike many sequels, not one note feels contrived, and the story’s curious plot, while sometimes meandering, is organic. Primary to Lucky’s concerns this time around are the ongoing Americanization of her French-born adoptive mother, the push and pull of (possibly romantic?) feelings for her buddy Lincoln, and the introduction of Paloma, who just might be Lucky’s first female best friend. Without being heavy-handed, Patron nails the insecurities and overzealousness of a budding friendship, and the central adventure of Lucky getting trapped inside a well brings these feelings to a fine point. Those who famously tried to ban Higher Power will be scandalized to find that the word “scrotum” appears in Lucky Breaks not once, but twice. Grades 3-6. --Daniel Kraus

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (March 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416939989
• ISBN-13: 978-1416939986
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Patron specialized in Children's Services for 35 years at the Los Angeles Public Library before retiring in 2007, the same year her novel The Higher Power of Lucky was awarded the John Newbery Medal. As the library's Juvenile Materials Collection Development Manager, she trained and mentored children's librarians in 72 branches. Patron has served on many book award committees, including the Caldecott and Laura Ingalls Wilder Committees of the American Library Association. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Lucky Breaks, the second novel in the "Lucky's Hard Pan" trilogy, was published in March 2009.

The Listening Library audio edition of The Higher Power of Lucky is an ALA Notable Recording; the book was translated into twelve foreign languages and has been optioned for a motion picture.

Patron's previous books for children include the Billy Que trilogy of picture books; Dark Cloud Strong Breeze; and a chapter book, Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe. All earned starred reviews, and the latter was named an ALA Notable book.

Married to a rare book restorer from the Champagne region of France, Susan is working on the final book in the trilogy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans Will Not Be Disappointed With This Rewarding Sequel, June 3, 2009

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucky Breaks (Hardcover)

At age 10 Lucky Trimble survived running away from home, finding her Higher Power and all the craziness the town of Hard Pan, California --- population 43 --- has to offer. All of this, though, is nothing compared to what awaits her at 11 years old. After all, eleven is much more intrepid than only ten. The more Lucky looks for intrepidness, the more things seem the same --- or do they?

Lucky's best friend, Lincoln, is gaining recognition with his world-class knots. His latest obsession is safely hidden away for the upcoming International Guild of Knot Tyers contest that promises fame and the possibility of leaving Hard Pan --- and Lucky. Brigitte, Lucky's legal guardian, has created her own niche in Hard Pan with a delightful French cuisine restaurant open for lunch on the weekends. Everyone has a piece of advice for Brigitte as she continues to adapt to the American way of life while staying true to herself. Miles --- newly certifiable genius --- is excited to share his sixth birthday celebration with Lucky, and he wants the whole town invited.

Lucky has come to the conclusion, however, that only a girl best friend will truly make her 11th year unforgettable. Enter Paloma Wellborne, niece of a geologist who happens to stop at Brigitte's cafe for lunch on the way to surveying rock layers in the desert. Paloma and Lucky hit it off right away --- laughing hysterically at gifts for chickens, swimming lessons in a bucket, and other all-important girl conversations. When Paloma's parents agree to let Paloma spend the weekend, Lucky makes plans to impress her with all the wonders Hard Pan has to offer. Lucky plots to uncover the mystery surrounding the rather large box sitting in Short Sammy's yard, stay far away from Lincoln and Miles, bake over 50 cupcakes for the birthday celebration, and perhaps search for a long-lost broach hidden outside of Hard Pan.

While Lucky promised both Brigitte and Paloma's parents that she would make good decisions, Lucky also promised herself that she would be intrepid from now on. Lucky doesn't live up to her namesake, however, when things go unplanned and she puts both Paloma and herself in danger. Her fearlessness starts to break, and she is forced to make some tough decisions that impact others more than she had imagined.

Susan Patron created magic in her Newbery Award-winning THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY, and fans will not be disappointed with this rewarding sequel. Matt Phelan once again sprinkles elegant drawings throughout that bring an added depth to the story. I appreciate that as this series grows so do all of the characters. They have learned from their mistakes, but they still continue to make new ones. I also enjoyed the ease in reading the book. You feel as though you're tagging along with Lucky and are in the center of the action. It's a fast read, but a very rewarding one. LUCKY BREAKS is the second book in the Lucky trilogy, and readers can expect a satisfying conclusion in the future.

--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche ([e-mail])

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ~Nifty~, March 11, 2009

By 

C. Irish "Read On!" (Placerville, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lucky Breaks (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

This is sweet, small town book with a lot of charm. It's not action packed, but it portrays a small, desert town with many likeable characters.

It is kind of like a character study for eleven year olds. Lucky is an adopted 11 year old girl who's seemingly had a lot of adult troubles, i.e., her mother dies when she is eight, and she is adopted by one of her absent father's girlfriends who owns a cafe in the very small town of Hard Pan, CA.

The backdrop of the town of Hard Pan is wonderful as seen by newcomers and the people who live in the town. There are some wonderful by stories that are heartwarming and they are about friendship and family.

I would recommend this book as a glimpse for a child to see what it would be like to live outside the subdivision - people live in all kinds of situations, and Lucky's is unique and her life and lifestyle are details very well in this story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very sweet, but slow story, October 21, 2009

By 

The Children's Book Reporter - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucky Breaks (Hardcover)

Lucky is about to celebrate her eleventh birthday--when, she anticipates, she will become intrepid. But her intrepidness is not challenged until a girl named Paloma comes to town...and Lucky promises that she won't get them into any trouble. In trouble and out of it, Lucky learns the value of friends, the meaning of family, and other small lessons with big meanings.
Lucky Breaks was a sweet, easy-to read story, with absolutely adorable, huggable characters. It is, however, a book for readers who shy away from plot--not until page 125 does any conflict develop, and it is quickly resolved with a few heartfelt conversations. Lucky's voice is unique, but one wonders if it wouldn't be more so with use of first-person-narration; often the author's voice steps in, sounding very adult, and distracting the reader from the story.