The Higher Power of Lucky
by Susan Patron
Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books 2006
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- identity
- found family
- resilience
- independence
- belonging
- courage
- grief and healing
- community
About this book
Ten-year-old Lucky lives in the tiny desert town of Hard Pan, California, and fears her French guardian, Brigitte, will leave her behind. Inspired by the idea of finding a "Higher Power," Lucky sets out with her dog to make sense of big questions about family and belonging. With quirky neighbors, humor, and heart, this Newbery Medal–winning story captures a child’s search for courage and connection. Great for thoughtful middle-grade readers who enjoy character-driven stories set in memorable places.
Setting: the tiny desert town of Hard Pan in the Mojave Desert, contemporary California
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Higher Power of Lucky right for my child?
Yes — The Higher Power of Lucky is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.9, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include identity, found family, resilience.
How long does it take to read The Higher Power of Lucky?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Higher Power of Lucky takes around 2.8h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Higher Power of Lucky have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Higher Power of Lucky has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Higher Power of Lucky?
The Higher Power of Lucky has an AR reading level of 5.9, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.