The Luck Uglies
By Mary Eisenhart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Strong girl hero faces monsters and mayhem in fun fantasy.

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What's the Story?
Eleven-year-old Riley (Rye) O'Chanter lives with her mom and younger sister, Lottie, in Village Drowning, where the wicked Earl oppresses the people and forbids girls to learn to read. The monstrous Bog Noblins who previously ravaged the town have officially been wiped out, but based on recent events, the villagers aren't so sure. Also officially nonexistent: the mysterious folk known as THE LUCK UGLIES, who have little respect for the Earl but can deal with the Bog Noblins. As Rye and her friends cope with strange occurrences and try to keep their families safe, a newly arrived mysterious stranger and his secrets are about to change everything the kids know.
Is It Any Good?
Durham introduces very appealing characters in smart, independent Rye and her loyal friends -- as well as her family and some other intriguing adults. He also puts them in thought-provoking situations that are more ethically complex than stereotypical good vs. evil. Like many first volumes in fantasy series, THE LUCK UGLIES has to spend a fair amount of time establishing a world and its terminology, some of which is explained in a glossary.
The Luck Uglies is a satisfying adventure that will leave many readers eager for the sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fantasy adventure series. Why are they so popular with kids? What others have your read? Think you'll stick wit this series? Why or why not?
How do you tell the difference between good guys and bad guys? Is it always reliable to trust what other people say about them?
If your family pets were magical beings in disguise, what powers would they have?
Book Details
- Author: Paul Durham
- Illustrator: Petur Antonsson
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: April 29, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: September 27, 2021
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