The Higher Power of Lucky
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 Cover |
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| Author | Susan Patron |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Matt Phelan |
| Cover artist | Matt Phelan |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Released | 2006 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 144 pp. |
| ISBN | ISBN 1416901949 |
The Higher Power of Lucky is a children's book written by Susan Patron and illustrated by Matt Phelan. Released in 2006 by Simon & Schuster, it was awarded the 2007 Newbery Medal.[1]
[edit] Plot Summary
The novel features Lucky, a 10-year-old girl who lives in a small town named Hard Pan (population 43) in the California desert. After her mother died two years ago, her father called upon his ex-wife, Brigette, to come to the United States from France to take care of Lucky. Lucky fears that Brigette is tired of being her guardian and of their life in Hard Pan. Her experiences lead her to believe that Brigette will abandon her and return to France. This anxiety prompts Lucky to seek help from her "Higher Power", a notion she gets from eavesdropping at her town's 12-step meetings.
[edit] Controversy
Controversy has arisen over the book due to the use of the word "scrotum" on its first page. A number of school libraries have decided to ban or otherwise censor the book according to a New York Times article.[2] While some accuse the author of attempting "Howard Stern-type shock treatment", author Susan Patron described the passage in question as being based on an true incidence of a rattlesnake biting a dog's scrotum, as well as an explanation of anatomy for readers 9 to 12 years old. She appeared on NPR's Talk of the Nation to defend her choice of words.[3].
The American Library Association responded to the NYT article with a statement regarding the value of the book.[4] The authors of the three Newbery Honor books Cynthia Lord, Jennifer Holm, and Kirby Larson also supported the "scrotum" usage.[5] Soon, the blogosphere gobbled up the story.[6][7][8] Kristen McLean, executive director of the Association of Booksellers for Children, provided the industry's response.[9] Articles began to pop up in newspapers in countries as far away as Argentina and Australia.
Simon & Schuster have posted a video on their website where Patron discusses the book and her influences in an interview by fellow Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata. In this video Rick Richter, President and Publisher of the Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, states "Simon & Schuster ultimately hopes that readers will recognize this wonderful book as a whole, and the charm and innocence of its main character Lucky, and will see beyond one word and the controversy surrounding the book. Susan Patron has written a masterful novel celebrating small town values and we can only hope that her deserved Newbery winner is recognized for the treasure that it truly is."[10]
[edit] References
- ^ "American Library Association announces literary award winners". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "Bosman, Julie. "With One Word, Children's Book Sets Off Uproar." New York Times. Published Feb. 18, 2007". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "Are some words off-limits in children's books?". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "ALA statement". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "jenniferholm.com". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "Neil Gaiman's Journal". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "A Commonplace Book". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "You say scrotum, I say Hoo-Haa". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "Thoughts on the Great Scrotum Kerfuffle of 2007". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ "The Higher Power of Lucky (Hardcover)". Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
| Preceded by Criss Cross |
Newbery Medal recipient 2006 |
Succeeded by 'Incumbent' |
