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Lucky Breaks

(2009, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Susan Patron, Illustrated by Matt Phelan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Newberry sequel quietly engages with story of friendship.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Lucky is eager to be older (11), to have a best friend, and to have intrepid adventures in life. As part of these desires, she dreams about eye shadow and mascara (and wears a bra), she discards some of her old friends for a new one, and she makes some unwise decisions in order to prove her intrepidness to the new friend. Also, throughout the story, Lucky is trying to understand why her father has abandoned her, and she sometimes grieves for her dead mother.

 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    "Butt" is used. Readers may remember the controversy over the use of the word "scrotum" in Susan Patron's previous book (and Newberry Award winner), "The Higher Power of Lucky." The word "scrotum" is used again in this book to describe the same scene and situation in which it was used in the previous book.

  • Consumerism:

    YouTube is mentioned, the Henry and Mudge books are mentioned. A newcomer to town asks the question, "Where's the nearest Starbucks?" The "cool" attributes of a Hummer (SUV) are described in detail.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Short Sammy is a recovering alcoholic. Klincke Ken loans out tools in exchange for Bud Light.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Lucky Breaks

Parents need to know that this book is tame. While Lucky's mother died several years ago and she has since been abandoned by her father to his ex-wife (Brigitte), Lucky is taken care of and loved by Brigitte and a full coterie of adults in town. One issue, however, is that throughout the story Lucky wonders why her father doesn't take care of her and why he gave her up, and this is never resolved. Parents also need to know that Charles Darwin is Lucky's hero. They should be aware that this book might be better for girls than boys, and that it starts slow before building to a story with any action.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the concept of family. What makes a family? How is Lucky's family different than yours? They can also talk about friendship. How do you make friends? Do you have a best friend? Do you think everyone needs one best friend? What is a good friend? Can you make new friends while keeping old friends? They could also talk about life in small towns. Is Lucky's town of Hard Pan like your town at all? What brings people to and keeps them in small towns?
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