Lucky Breaks (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Matt Phelan (Illustrator)

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

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Ginee Seo Books (March 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416939989
• ISBN-13: 978-1416939986
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,397 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A simple story of several days length., March 30, 2009

By	S. Lipson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

(What's this?)

I received this via Amazon Vine. I have two boys ages 8 1/2 and 9 1/2. We still do routine bedtime story time. I am delayed in writing this review because I read The Higher Power of Lucky to them first. It is not crucial for one to read the first book, however I highly recommend doing so. Both stories cover only a very brief amount of time-say maybe one week. This lends story telling to be detailed and thought focused. I think the most noteworthy characteristic of these books are the subject perspectives. Hard Pan is a desert town of only 43 people. By the authors' descriptions Hard Pan seems quite impoverished, however this has practically no impact in the story line. Everything is simply described the way it is without any attention to the have and have nots. It is a realistic story with true emotions and does not shy away from struggles, angst, negative thoughts and feelings, and inner sole searching. I like books to be entertaining or interesting. I didn't find either of these books to have either of these characteristics. They were different. I read them to get through them. My kids did not seem interested or turned off by them. I did appreciate the matter of fact demeanor of a simple life with every day challenges and strife. Things were not candy-coated at all.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All aboard the HMS Beagle..., August 31, 2009

By	H. Sapiens "Amanda" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

(What's this?)

Lucky is a nearly 11 year old girl who likens herself to a young Charles Darwin, even so far as listing their similarities and naming her dog HMS Beagle after the ship he sailed on to the Galapagos Islands. However, her voice troubles me. She does not read like a 10-almost-11 year old - rather she is excited about her first bra and kissing. The problem with this is that the 10 and 11 year olds I know are going to be put off by this talk (albeit brief, but it's on page 2) and many 12 year olds are going to be disinclined to read such a simply prosed book about a younger girl. As far as readability, the text is very simple and the book short - about 3rd-4th grade reading level, so may be a good choice for an older struggling reader.

Aside from the above qualms, the residents of Hard Pan put me off a bit. Lincoln is an expert knot-tier and Miles is a nearly 6 year old genius reading Brain Surgery for Beginners and Other Major Operations for Minors: a Scalpel-free Guide to Your Insides, which may actually be more suitable for the recommended Grades 4-6. Where does Lucky fit in? Here is where girls may identify her - she doesn't really - her father left her, she lives with a guardian, she doesn't have a female BFF (enter Paloma), and she's surrounded by these extraordinary people. So she is struggling.

The book does have some seriously imaginative moments. I really enjoyed the continued joke about the learn to swim (in a bucket) shared between the girls. I like how the story of Paloma and the brooch was weaved through the story and ended up being a source of strife for the girls. Lucky really does have to confront herself, her choices, and her behavior as a result of this conflict.

Bottom line: It's an okay book that I would recommend to a 8-10 year old girl. The beginning is slow going with some rough patches that may impede engaging in the book. If young readers get past this, they will likely enjoy Lucky.

1 of 1 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	Kidsreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

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])