Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Could we please have a folder for 'Specific Book Discussions' or some such? Then this post could be moved over there....

I just read this, and I don't get why it one a Newbery. I mean, it's a nice story, but not amazingly rich or deep or original or necessary, imo. What am I missing? Also, are kids reading it?

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Could we please have a folder for 'Specific Book Discussions' or some such? Then this post could be moved over there....

I just read this, and I don't get why it one a Newbery. I mean, it's a ni..."

Hi Cheryl, Here you go.
Cheers

The Higher Power of Lucky

Thanks!
So, who here has loved this book?

I read it the year it won and remember being puzzled also. On the whole, I find the Newbery books a tough sell with kids, although there are exceptions- A good place to find books kids will actually read(besides here:-)) is Kidsmomo.com. My students love to post their own reviews and comment on others'. State awards lists are usually popular also.

I really liked Higher Power of Lucky and can see why it won the Newbery but it isn't a hit with the kids. Often times, the Newbery book is not. And it depends on the school and the region as well. For instance, I really liked The Graveyard Book but it isn't popular with my students.

With Higher Power.....the book was about a young girl who thinks she understands everything around her but in reality, she doesn't. (like not understanding what a dog's testicles really are). She hears grownups talking in town but is using her own personal experience to try to relate to what they are saying. She is confused. She is "lost". But as the story unfolds, we see her slowly start to learn not only about the things around her, the people in her community, but about herself as well. It is a tale of growing up with a lot of alluding and symbolism sprinkled throughout.

I do believe that adults can relate to the characters more than a child. And I think that is one of the biggest issues with this book. It was judged using an adults experience and understanding of the text complexities involved and not from a child's point of view.

Thanks for sharing your insights Brenda, and your reaction, Joy.

I loved The Higher Power of Lucky - although I have to admit it's a while since I read it, now. I may have to do a reread - but I can't at the moment, because it is never on my classroom bookshelf long enough for me to borrow back!
It's been borrowed by one of my students for over the summer break. I find it works best with my slightly older students, and especially girls (12 - 13yrs). They love Lucky's innocence and pragmatic approach to life.
I think this is one of those times when your readers need to be older than the protagonist, so that they can see the holes in Lucky's thinking. I know that some of the writing in this book is also brilliant - whenever I get my students to do a sensational snippet hunt, this is one of the books they go to.

'Lucky, age ten, can't wait another day. The meanness gland in her in her heart and crevices full of questions in her brain make running away from Hard Pan, California (population 43), the rock-bottom only choice she has.'

Lucky is full of surprises and wonderful writing.

'Lucky had always worried, in a far back corner of her mind that wasn't a scientific corner, about a bug crawling into her ear. This was partly why she had a garden-hedge perm. At night, if she remembered, she arranged a clump of hair over her ear, so any bug would come along and say, "Whoa, too hard to go through that thicket of hair," and find some other thing to do.
The main reason she had mineral oil in her survival kit was to smooth some on her eyebrows for glistening. But another use she knew for oil was to drown bugs.'

The same students that enjoy this book also love Rebecca Stead. I haven't tried too much Neil Gaiman with them yet, except Coraline - but that's one of the books I keep on my discretionary shelf, for readers who don't mind a bit of scary...

Thank you Megan - great to learn about kids' reactions!