by Susan Patron; illustrations by Matt Phelan

Athenum books for Young Readers, 2006

Image from author’s website

This slim novel takes place in a very small town. There are hints that Lucky is living in a modern world, but Hard Pan, California, pop. 43, feels almost timeless. This is partially due to the extreme poverty of those 43 inhabitants, a perspective that is perhaps under-explored in children’s literature. Lucky, age 10, lives with her French guardian Brigitte in three trailers that have been welded together. Brigitte is Lucky’s father’s ex-wife, and became Lucky’s guardian two years ago when her mother was electrocuted. Brigitte does not have a job, and they, like most of the town, are sent free Government food. Lucky is worried that Brigitte will move back to France and leave her to fend for herself in an orphanage. Lucky searches throughout the book for her “Higher Power,” inspired by her eavesdropping on 12-step meetings that are held at the Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor’s Center, where Lucky is paid to clean up. The climax of the book, when Lucky runs away in an attempt to make Brigitte realize she wants to stay, comes a bit late and causes the end to feel rushed. The premise is interesting, the characters and situations are quirky and enjoyable, and Phelan’s illustrations are charming, but overall the loose ends, awkward syntax and lack of focus keep the book from measuring up to a satisfactory whole. 

(This review was originally submitted to my Materials for Children class)