S is for Success

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron won the Newbery Medal in 2007. This medal is presented by the American Library Association and is presented, “to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.”

In addition to winning the Newbery, Higher Power of Lucky was reviewed positively by several publications:

• Booklist said, "Patron's plotting is as tight as her characters are endearing. Lucky is a true heroine, especially because she's not perfect: she does some cowardly things, but she takes pains to put them to rights."
• Horn Book featured the title as a starred review and said, "Author Patron's tale of a grieving, insecure little girl is never heavy-handed or maudlin, due in part to quiet bursts of humor. Quirky supporting characters include future presidential hopeful and knot artist Lincoln Clinton Carter Kennedy, Lucky's best friend; and recovering alcoholic/hippie/cowboy Short Sammy."
• Kirkus also gave the title a starred review and said, "Readers will gladly give themselves over to Patron, a master of light but sure characterization and closely observed detail. A small gem."
• Publisher’s Weekly said, “Though Lucky's ponderings sometimes grow repetitive, the sympathetic, pleasingly quirky characters define this tightly-knit hardscrabble community, affectionately portrayed in Phelan's half-tone illustrations.”
• School Library Journal said, “This character-driven novel has an unusually complicated backstory, and a fair amount of exposition. Yet, its quirky cast and local color help to balance this fact, and the desert setting is fascinating.”