12/08/2014
Pyron offers a gentler take on survival and friendship than in her gritty novel The Dogs of Winter. Nate Harlow, who has lived in a trailer with his grandfather since his parents’ death, is “the unluckiest boy” in Paradise Beach, Fla. On his 11th birthday, Nate wishes for something lucky to happen that day, and is subsequently struck by lightning—“right out of the clear blue sky”—while playing miniature golf with his friend Gen, who’s an ardent believer in logic and probability. Nate survives just fine, and, suddenly, his luck changes for the better. Moreover, he becomes something of a local hero after it appears that his good fortune is rubbing off on others, and a group of popular kids befriend Nate after he displays his newfound (and inexplicable) baseball skills. Nate’s decision to hang with these kids and desert Gen and their mission to protect nesting turtles brings the themes of luck and friendship to a crest. A dramatic and sweetly poignant story, enlivened by a dash of magical realism. Ages 8–12. Agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. (Feb.)
Praise for Lucky Strike:"A not-to-be missed, begs-to-be-read-aloud, once-in-a-blue-moon book." — Katherine Applegate, author of Newbery Medal winner The One and Only Ivan"If only every summer could be sprinkled with this kind of magic... This is a lovely storm of a story." — Natalie Lloyd, author of A Snicker of Magic"If you're holding Lucky Strike, consider yourself lucky. Open it and read immediately. If you aren't holding it, run now and do so. Open it and read immediately. You will consider yourself lucky. Trust me." — Barbara O'Connor, author of How to Steal A Dog*"Characters leap off the pages, adding rich depth to an already satisfying tale... Amusing, endearing and sometimes even electrifying." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review*"This well-told story of growth, friendship, and small-town life hits all the right notes." — School Library Journal, starred review"A dramatic and sweetly poignant story, enlivened by a dash of magical realism." — Publishers Weekly"Filled with Southern charm, a bit of magic, and a cast of quirky characters." — Voice of Youth AdvocatesPraise for The Dogs of Winter:A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2012"Compelling and highly original fiction... An absorbing account." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review"Terrifying, life-affirming and memorable." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Absorbing...The many vivid details of street life and the convincing portrayals of even minor characters help bring the story to life. A source bibliography is appended. Written with compassion as well as grim, sometimes brutal realism, this novel offers a riveting story as well as material for reflection and discussion." — Booklist, starred review"Well-crafted sentences, lively dialogue, and a remarkable story line combine for an absorbing adventure tale that young readers will find irresistible." — Horn Book"Pyron delivers a reflective, hard-hitting story about the bond between child and dog...The book's emotional impact is immense." — Publishers Weekly
★ 12/01/2014
Gr 4–6—Wherever Nate Harlow goes, bad luck seems to follow. He has never even won a coin toss, so it comes as no surprise to many residents of Paradise Beach that it is Nate who gets struck by lightning out of the literal blue on his 11th birthday while playing mini-golf with his friend Genesis Beam. What does come as a big surprise is that Nate's luck seems to change drastically after the strike. All of a sudden, he is winning. Everything. Nate has to decide how he is going to handle this change—he is now surrounded by friends and opportunities whereas before it was only him and Genesis sticking together. Will she stay by Nate's side while he finds his feet, and, more importantly, will he support her when she needs it most? This well-told story of growth, friendship, and small-town life hits all the right notes. The quirkiness of the characters and the town never goes too far, and there is an overall cozy feeling to the book. Genesis's dad is the preacher at The Church of the One True Redeemer and Everlasting Light, but she is a scientist through and through, which adds complexity to the text, including musings on destiny, fate, probability, and weather. Fans of Susan Patron's Higher Power of Lucky (S. & S., 2006), Sheila Turnage's Three Times Lucky (Dial, 2012), and Ingrid Law's Savvy (2008; both, Dial) will find something new for their to-read shelves.—Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City
★ 2014-11-11
Could it ever be lucky to be struck by lightning?In the case of 11-year-old Nate, the answer is a qualified yes. Thanks to his best friend's quick wits, he isn't killed by a bolt out of the blue, but the lightning miraculously changes his luck from the worst ever to the very best. Suddenly he goes from inept to incredibly skilled on the diamond, which moves him from nerdy outsider to a place among the popular. His luck rubs off on those around him, too. Unfortunately, swept up in his unaccustomed acclaim, he meanly turns his back on Genesis, his smart, analytical and touchingly vulnerable BFF. She's befriended, in turn, by Chum, the ultimate bully target. Nate remorsefully decides the only way he can return to being Gen's best friend is to reverse his lightning strike luck by getting struck again, a terrifying prospect he's nonetheless willing to face. Even lightly sketched characters leap off the pages, adding rich depth to an already satisfying tale. In the slightly fantastical Gulf Coast world that Pyron (The Dogs of Winter, 2012) has imagined, people can change in unexpected ways. With just a spark of magic, bullies can become true friends, those without humor can learn to giggle, and perennial victims can emerge victorious. Amusing, endearing and sometimes even electrifying. (Magical realism. 9-12)
