The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2006
Newbery Medal Recipient in 2007
Captivating, Engaging, Entertaining, Heart-Wrenching, Riveting
Summary:
This story is about a girl named Lucky who is looking for her Higher Power as she tries to figure out what her future will bring. Lucky lives in the small town of Hard Pan with her guardian Brigitte. Her mother passed on and her father never wanted kids. Brigette was only supposed to be her guardian temporarily until her father could find a foster home for Lucky. Lucky worries that at any moment Brigette will leave her and return to France and Lucky will have to go to an orphanage and she will have to leave behind her dog, HMS Beagle. Lucky eavesdrops on anonymous meetings for drug addicts, alcoholics, over eaters, etc. They all talk about finding their higher power and how it has helped them change their ways. Lucky believes that if she finds her higher power, she won't have to fear what will happen in her future. However, she did not expect that it would be a dust storm that would show her she has nothing to worry about.
Reading Level:
Lexile Measure: 1010L
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.5
Interest Level: Grades 3-5
Electronic Resources:
Lesson Plan Suggestions
This link leads to classroom activities that the Susan Patron put together for her book. It has vocabulary words the students reading this book may not know, discussion questions, further reading, activities that go into all categories of learning, and links to other pages. One can learn about the weather, the International Guild of Knot Tyers, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dust Storms
This link tells kids about dust storms. It tells how dust storm starts, the history of dust storms, and give pictures of what a dust storm looks likes. It gives insight to children who have never seen or heard of a dust storm.
Teaching Suggestions:
Teachers can use this story to show different types of families.
Suggested Delivery:
Read this book aloud. There are adult concepts in the book that may be difficult for children who are only in fifth grade. This way when questions arise, the teacher can answer them and explain the concepts the book is mentioning.
Summary:
This story is about a girl named Lucky who is looking for her Higher Power as she tries to figure out what her future will bring. Lucky lives in the small town of Hard Pan with her guardian Brigitte. Her mother passed on and her father never wanted kids. Brigette was only supposed to be her guardian temporarily until her father could find a foster home for Lucky. Lucky worries that at any moment Brigette will leave her and return to France and Lucky will have to go to an orphanage and she will have to leave behind her dog, HMS Beagle. Lucky eavesdrops on anonymous meetings for drug addicts, alcoholics, over eaters, etc. They all talk about finding their higher power and how it has helped them change their ways. Lucky believes that if she finds her higher power, she won't have to fear what will happen in her future. However, she did not expect that it would be a dust storm that would show her she has nothing to worry about.
Reading Level:
Lexile Measure: 1010L
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.5
Interest Level: Grades 3-5
Electronic Resources:
Lesson Plan Suggestions
This link leads to classroom activities that the Susan Patron put together for her book. It has vocabulary words the students reading this book may not know, discussion questions, further reading, activities that go into all categories of learning, and links to other pages. One can learn about the weather, the International Guild of Knot Tyers, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dust Storms
This link tells kids about dust storms. It tells how dust storm starts, the history of dust storms, and give pictures of what a dust storm looks likes. It gives insight to children who have never seen or heard of a dust storm.
Teaching Suggestions:
Teachers can use this story to show different types of families.
Suggested Delivery:
Read this book aloud. There are adult concepts in the book that may be difficult for children who are only in fifth grade. This way when questions arise, the teacher can answer them and explain the concepts the book is mentioning.
Key Vocabulary:
Anonymous, Surplus, Specimens, Commodities, Enzymes, Urn
Reading Strategies:
Before Reading:
Have students discuss in small groups what they know about guardians and orphanages. What do they think of them? Have each student write down what their beliefs and then have a whole class discussion. Does everyone have the same view?
During Reading:
Many concepts in this book are difficult to understand. Have students write down concepts that they think are confusion. Then have them discuss their list with other students. Have the students discuss what they believe the concept means. Then explain to them what it really means.
After Reading:
Have students have group discussions about Lucky's higher power. Did she find her higher power and if so what was her higher power? Is there something in life that they feel they need a higher power for? How do they think they can find their higher power?
Writing Activity:
Have students pretend that they are like Lucky and they want to set up a museum exhibit. Have them draw pictures that show events that occurred in the book. Under the pictures, have students write captions for their pictures. Students will create a small museum booklet about the book.
Anonymous, Surplus, Specimens, Commodities, Enzymes, Urn
Reading Strategies:
Before Reading:
Have students discuss in small groups what they know about guardians and orphanages. What do they think of them? Have each student write down what their beliefs and then have a whole class discussion. Does everyone have the same view?
During Reading:
Many concepts in this book are difficult to understand. Have students write down concepts that they think are confusion. Then have them discuss their list with other students. Have the students discuss what they believe the concept means. Then explain to them what it really means.
After Reading:
Have students have group discussions about Lucky's higher power. Did she find her higher power and if so what was her higher power? Is there something in life that they feel they need a higher power for? How do they think they can find their higher power?
Writing Activity:
Have students pretend that they are like Lucky and they want to set up a museum exhibit. Have them draw pictures that show events that occurred in the book. Under the pictures, have students write captions for their pictures. Students will create a small museum booklet about the book.
Hi there, not sure if you're still actively posting but I sure hope so as you are giving me some good ideas for books to read! (I'm working on a series of crosswords to go with children's novels at www.curiouscrosswords.com.) I just read "The Higher Power of Lucky" and like it even more in hindsight after considering your reading strategies. Thanks!
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