The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Lucky Trimble is ten years old, living in Hard Pan, California, and dealing with the difficult task of finding herself. A story of courage and self-reliance, The Higher Power of Lucky tells the account of a girl's difficult life and her search for her "higher power." Her two friends Miles and Lincoln, play a strong role in her life, as Lucky does not have the presence of her parents in her life. With the loss of her mother two years ago and the abandonment by her father, Lucky is placed under the control of her father's ex-wife Bridgette. Lucky deals with many complications and difficulties throughout the novel, but does not quit in her search to find herself.

Reading Index: Lexile: 1010L; Ages 9-11

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read

Teaching Suggestions:

Vocabulary: mangled, enzymes, drastic, creosote, resign, decipher, anonymous, sinister.

Vocabulary Activity: Have students create original sentences with the vocabulary words.

Teaching Strategies:

Pre-Reading: Discuss as a whole class what it means to discover a "higher power" in yourself as well as finding yourself. Have students write an example of when they have trouble finding themselves and how they dealt with this process.

During Reading: Have students discuss in small groups the many challenges Lucky faces in the novel. Have students compile a list of these challenges and how she deals with these challenges.

After Reading: Have students write to Lucky regarding their reactions to her story and her life. They will include: how did they feel about the book? who was Lucky as a character? how did Lucky handle various challenges in her life?

Web Resources:

Review of the book and concepts covered in the book:
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/1416901949.asp

Author's website:
http://susanpatron.com/

Patron, S., & Phelan, M. (2006). The higher power of Lucky. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Published by: HarperCollins

Salamanca Tree Hiddle, or who we will learn to call Sal is a thirteen year old girl living in Bybanks, Kentucky. Sal takes a trip with her grandparents in hopes to see her mother. As her trip to Idaho goes on, we learn many things about Sal, her family, and her best friend Phoebe Winterbottom. We learn about who Sal is, why this trip is significant in her life, and the importance of family and friendship.

Reading Index: Lexile: 770L; Ages 12 and up
Suggested Delivery: Independent Read

Teaching Suggestions:

Vocabulary:
Lunatic, nonchalantly, taunted, defiance, sullen, agenda, intrigue, accumulate, rummage, malevolent, cavort, deprive, cantankerous.

Vocabulary Activity:
Have students choose a vocabulary word from list. Once they have chosen a vocabulary word they will find the definition in a dictionary and write an original sentence with this vocabulary word. A list of these sentences and definitions will be compiled for students to refer to while reading.

Teaching Strategies:

Pre-Reading Activity:
Discuss the phrase "Walk Two Moons" with the students. Ask students to get into small groups and discuss whether they have ever gone on a road trip and what that experience was like for them. If students have not, have them discuss where they would like to go. Have them then write about this experience; how they felt, what they did and relate this to the text. Inform students that Sal will be going on a roadtrip as well.

Writing Activity:
Have students write their own journal entry as Sal has done in the story. The students will write from Sal's point of view and will choose at what time in the story they will set their writing to.

Web Resources:

HarperCollins Teacher Resource: http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/TeachingGuides/0064405176.pdf

Activities: http://www.ncsu.edu/globalbookclub/moons.html

Scholastic Lesson Plan: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/walk-two-moons-lesson-plan

Literature Activities: http://www.isaacschools.org/district/curriculum_maps/novelunits6/walk/wlk_two_moons.pdf

Show students a map of where Sal lives (Ohio) and where she plans to arrive at the end of her roadtrip (Idaho).

http://www.ohio-mapsite.com/us_oh_euclid.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/idaho/

Author's Website:
http://www.sharoncreech.com/


Creech, S. (1994). Walk two moons. New York: HarperCollins.