The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

As both a librarian and a writer, she is no stranger to children’s literature and. Patron (rhymes with 'phone') is a long time children’s librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library and the author of several books, both YA novels and picture books. First printing of this Newbery Medal-winning story of childhood set in a. A small gem.”- Kirkus Reviews “Lucky is a true heroine. The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron is the recipient of the 2007 Newbery Award. By Susan Patron, illustrated by Matt Phetan. “Patron a master of light but sure characterization and closely observed detail. Or needing to lug the world's heaviest survival-kit backpack into the desert. Just as bad, she'll have to give up eavesdropping on twelve-step anonymous programs where the interesting talk is all about Higher Powers. president (maybe) and member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. She'll have to lose her friends Miles, who lives on cookies, and Lincoln, future U.S. 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. It's all Brigitte's fault - for wanting to go back to France. 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. Matt lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.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. His picture books include The New Girl.and Me and Two of a Kind, both written by Jacqui Robbins. Matt Phelan's black-and-white illustrations first appeared in The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G.

Married to a rare book restorer from the Champagne region of France, Susan is working on the final book in the 'Lucky' trilogy. The Higher Power of Luck will be translated into twelve foreign languages and has been optioned for a motion picture. All earned starred reviews, and the latter was named an ALA Notable book. Patron's previous books for children include the Billy Que trilogy of picture books Dark Cloud Strong Breeze and a chapter book, Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Patron has served on many book award committees, including the Caldecott and Laura Ingalls Wilder Committees of the American Library Association. As the library's Juvenile Materials Collection Development Manager, she trained and mentored children's librarians in 72 branches.

Susan Patron specialized in Children's Services for 35 years at the Los Angeles Public Library before retiring in 2007, the same year her novel The Higher Power of Lucky was awarded the John Newbery Medal.