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The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Simon & Schuster, 2006
 Publisher recommended ages 9 to 11.
Summary

Lucky is a 10-year-old girl in living in New Mexico whose mother dies in a storm accident.  Her father's ex-wife comes from France to be Lucky's guardian.  The girl hears about "higher powers" while eavesdropping on the self-help meetings in town and spends most of the book pursuing hers while she tries to deal with her mother's death and her uncertain future.

Language
  • The word "scrotum" is used to describe the part of a dog's anatomy which is bitten by a rattlesnake.  Later in the book the main character asks what this word means and is given a clinical answer.
  • Insults used include "idiot".
Sexual Situations
  • The scrotum is described as "the sack of the man or animal which has in it the sperm to make a baby."

Violence

  • A character dies from accidental electrocution.
  • There are explosions connected to the mining industry.
  • There is a description of cremated remains including bits of bone and ash.
  • A character has a huge cholla burr stuck in his foot.
  • A character gets a bug in her ear which is described as very painful.
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Drugs/Alcohol

  • A character tells a story about passing out drunk.
  • Characters describe the addiction to smoking tobacco as causing them to smoke in the shower and rain, as well as burning clothes, hair and furniture.
  • The main character's part-time job is to sweep up cigarette butts and empty beer cans.
  • A character describes drinking rum and homemade wine.
  • A minor character is imprisoned for "selling dope".
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Race Issues

  • The main character is cared for by her father's ex-wife who is from France.

Religion

  • The main character spends much of the story looking for her "higher power", a concept she learns about while eavesdropping on the self-help meetings.
  • The song "Amazing Grace" is sung at a funeral.
  • The small town setting is described as having no church.
  • The members of self-help groups stand to pray.
  • A character is described as looking like he is from the Bible.
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Politics

  • There are brief references to Darwinism and evolution.
  • Food is delivered to the town monthly from the U.S. Government Surplus Food since few people there have employment and "most get a check for disability or being old or their father sends a check but they still qualify for free food."
  • A character is named Lincoln Clinton Carter Kennedy by his mother in hopes that he will become President someday.
  • The main character is described as "a ward of the state".
  • Foster care is mentioned.

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