Synopses & Reviews
A rich, southern voice tells the unforgettable story of two vulnerable outsiders, the lightning strike that turns their world upside down and the true meaning of lucky.
Nate Harlow has never had a lucky day in his life. He's never won a prize, he's never been picked first, he's never even won a coin toss. His best friend, Genesis Beam (aka Gen), believes in science and logic, and she doesn't think for one second that there's such a thing as luck, good or bad. But only an extremely unlucky person could be struck by lightning on his birthday... and that person is Nate Harlow. By some miracle, though, Nate survives, and the strike seems to have changed his luck. Suddenly, Nate's grandpa is the busiest fisherman in their small, beachside town. And Nate finds himself the center of attention, the most popular kid at school, the one who hits a game-winning home run! This lucky streak can't last forever, though, and as a hurricane draws close to the shores of Paradise Beach, Nate and Gen may need more than just good luck to save their friendship and their town: They need a miracle.
Review
Praise for
Lucky Strike * "This well-told story of growth, friendship, and small-town life hits all the right notes." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review
"Miracles abound in this enchanting tale of friendship, loyalty, luck and the beauty of burnt toast. Bobbie Pyron's Paradise Beach comes to life with such humor and tenderness that readers will feel homesick the moment they close the covers of Lucky Strike. A not-to-be missed, begs-to-be-read-aloud, once-in-a-blue-moon book." -- Katherine Applegate, author of The One And Only Ivan
"If only every summer could be sprinkled with this kind of magic: magnolia blossoms, oyster shell pathways, a restless sea, bolts of good luck and, best of all, the miracle of a marvelous friendship. This is a lovely storm of a story." -- Natalie Lloyd, author of A Snicker Of Magic
"If you're holding Lucky Strike, consider yourself lucky. Open it and read immediately. If you aren't holding it, run now and do so. Open it and read immediately. You will consider yourself lucky. Trust me." -- Barbara O'Connor, author of How To Steal A Dog
Praise for The Dogs of Winter
A KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Children's Book of 2012
* "Compelling and highly original fiction...An absorbing account." -- BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS, starred review
* "Terrifying, life-affirming and memorable." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review
* "Absorbing...The many vivid details of street life and the convincing portrayals of even minor characters help bring the story to life. A source bibliography is appended. Written with compassion as well as grim, sometimes brutal realism, this novel offers a riveting story as well as material for reflection and discussion." -- BOOKLIST, starred review
"Well-crafted sentences, lively dialogue, and a remarkable story line combine for an absorbing adventure tale that young readers will find irresistible." -- HORN BOOK
"Pyron delivers a reflective, hard-hitting story about the bond between child and dog...The book's emotional impact is immense." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Synopsis
Nate Harlow would love to be lucky, just once
He'd like to win a prize, get picked first, call a coin toss right, even But his best friend, Genesis Beam (aka Gen), believes in science and logic, and she doesn't think for one second that there's such a thing as luck, good or bad. She doesn't care what names the other kids call them. She cares about being right, about saving the turtles of Paradise Beach, and she cares about Nate.
Then, on his birthday, at the Goofy Golf mini-golf course, Nate is struck by lightning -- and survives Suddenly baseballs are drawn to his bat-popular kids want HIM on their side. It seems the whole town of Paradise Beach thinks Nate has the magic touch.
But is there room for Gen in Nate's lucky new world?
Lucky Strike tells the unforgettable story of two vulnerable outsiders and what luck is really all about.
About the Author
Bobbie Pyron is the author of The Dogs Of Winter, which received three starred reviews and was named a KIRKUS Best Children's Book of the Year. She grew up in Florida, now lives in Park City, Utah, and works as a librarian in Salt Lake City.