The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Believing that her French guardian is about to abandon her to an orphanage in the city, ten-year-old Lucky runs away from her small town with her beloved dog by her side in order to trek across the Mojave Desert in this Newbery Medal–winning novel from Susan Patron.

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

It's all Brigitte's fault -- for wanting to go back to France. Guardians are supposed to stay put and look after girls in their care! Instead Lucky is sure that she'll be abandoned to some orphanage in Los Angeles where her beloved dog, HMS Beagle, won't be allowed. She'll have to lose her friends Miles, who lives on cookies, and Lincoln, future U.S. president (maybe) and member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Just as bad, she'll have to give up eavesdropping on twelve-step anonymous programs where the interesting talk is all about Higher Powers. Lucky needs her own -- and quick.

But she hadn't planned on a dust storm.

Or needing to lug the world's heaviest survival-kit backpack into the desert.

Hardcover, 144 pages

Published November 7, 2006 

by Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books

3/5 stars

This book is part of my reading of the John Newbery Medal winners, The Higher Power of Lucky was the winner in 2007.

Told from Lucky's pov, a 10 year old who resides in a place called Hard Pan with a population of 43, one less when her mom died but then one more when her guardian, Brigitte showed up.  She likes to eavesdrop behind dumpsters, imagine things and begins to suspect her guardian doesn't want her any more.

Lucky is a visual story telling what life is like in a small place on the edge of a desert.  While I found it entertaining enough I did end up listening to the audio version for the last couple of hours.  The ending was fitting for the story but unlike other Newbery winners it didn't wow me.

This book was not only part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#12) but also my John Newbery Challenge.

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

First published in 1932, Mr. Popper's Penguins is a classic tale that has enchanted young readers for generations. The ebook edition of Mr. Popper's Penguins includes never-before-seen archival material from the authors' estate and features the original award-winning story of a house painter and lover of the Arctic, who receives a penguin as a gift, turning his simple life into one of adventure and fame.

Mr. Popper, a driven businessman who is clueless when it comes to the important things in life – until he inherits six penguins. Popper’s penguins turn his New York apartment into a snowy winter wonderland – and the rest of his life upside-down.

Richard Tupper Atwater (1892-1948) lived in Chicago and worked as a journalist, often writing humorous pieces for newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune. He wrote two books for children before beginning Mr. Popper's Penguins, a 1939 Newbery Honor Book. Before he could finish the story, however, he became ill. His wife, Florence Hasseltine Atwater (1899-1979) finished the book, helping launch a story that has remained popular for generations.

More about Richard and Florence Atwater from Open Road can be found at: http://www.openroadmedia.com/authors/richard-and-florence-atwater.aspx

Kindle Edition, 139 pages

Published (first published 1938) 

thank you to netgalley for provided me with a copy

**** 

I can't believe that I have never read this book or that I never read it to my kids, depriving them of a fun adventure.

Mr. Popper is a house painter and obsessed with Adminal Drake, an Antarctic explorer.  One thing leads to another with Mr. Popper taking delivery of a penguin whom he names Captain Cook.  The story continues with another arrival this one named Greta and then of course that leads to lots of little penguins.

I found this such a delightful story, it was witty, kinda quirky, cute and this adult enjoyed reading it.  I can't see myself watching the movie because I don't want to take anything away from the imagines I have in my mind of this book (plus I really am not a big Jim Carrey fan either).

I can definitely see myself purchasing this book for the grandkids, maybe with a little stuffed penguin to go with it.