LUCKY FOR GOOD

Lucky and the other 42 residents of Hard Pan return in this second sequel to the Newbery Award–winning The Higher Power of Lucky.

Change is the only constant in Lucky’s life. No sooner has she become used to life with her adoptive mother, Brigitte, and working in Brigitte’s home-based Hard Pan Café than the Inyo County Health Department sends apologetic inspector Stu Burping to shut it down. According to regulation #1849, commercial cooking can’t be done in a residence. In true Hard Pan fashion, all the eccentric residents cooperate to devise a unique solution. At school, Stu’s nephew Ollie causes problems for Lucky. At home, Miles, Lucky’s 6-year-old genius friend, is surprised when his mother, Justine, returns from prison, and Lucky’s scared the now deeply religious Justine will leave, taking Miles. Can Lucky trust her Higher Power to see her through all this, plus a change in her relationship with best friend Lincoln and the discovery of why her biological father wants nothing to do with her? Bringing a nice sense of closure to the Hard Pan Trilogy, Patron’s third Lucky tale is a bit episodic. However, it's as sweet and sure and thoughtful as previous outings.

Lucky’s fans will be overjoyed to see her safely on the way to junior high, though some might miss Matt Phelan's art. (Fiction. 9-12)