Maw Books Blog

The 2007 Newbery Medal Winner is The Higher Power of Lucky written by Susan Patron and illustrated by Matt Phelan. After her mother dies and abandoned by a father she never knew, ten year old Lucky lives with her French guardian in the desert community of Hard Pan, population 43. The book explores the quirky and eccentric characters in the small town as Lucky fears her guardian will return to France, leaving her to an orphanage.

I loved this book as it reminded me how children view different situations and how they examine their life. Newbery Medal Committee Chair Jeri Kladder says, “Lucky is a perfectly nuanced blend of adventure, survival (emotional and physical) and hilarious character study . . . as well as a blueprint for a self-examined life. Through Lucky’s experiences, we are reminded that children support one other just as needy adults do.”

In addition, I loved Matt Phelan’s amazing line drawing. They matched the story perfectly.

Reading Group Guide for Young Readers

Watch Susan Patron discuss The Higher Power of Lucky

I read this book as part of my challenge to read the major award winners this year. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I’m going to read the 2007 Newbery Honor books this year: Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm, Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson, and Rules by Cynthia Lord. One of my reading life goals is to read all medal winner and honor books back to 1922. I am not well read on my children books and I’d love to complete this challenge, especially as my own children get older.