The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
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4.5 • 100 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
A lightning strike gave her a super power...but even a super genius can't solve the problem of middle school. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens.
Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school!
Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?
A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different.
AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
"An engaging story, full of heart and hope. Readers of all ages will root for Lucy, aka Lightning Girl. No miscalculations here!" --Kate Beasley, author of Gertie's Leap to Greatness
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When 12-year-old Lucy was struck by lightning at age eight, her brain was damaged, resulting in her acquired savant syndrome. She becomes a mathematical genius and develops obsessive-compulsive disorder; she's been homeschooled ever since. She feels safe at home with her uncle and grandmother, but Nana wants Lucy to become better integrated with her peers and enrolls her in seventh grade. Lucy hides her math abilities to blend in, and she's bullied by popular girl Maddie, but when she and another student, Windy, team up with classmate Levi for a community service project, a true friendship grows. The three help out at the Pet Hut, a no-kill shelter where Lucy, who has never liked animals, bonds with Cutie Pi. After Cutie Pi is diagnosed with cancer which means that she will likely be transferred to a state shelter and put down and Windy betrays Lucy by revealing a secret, Lucy must learn how to solve problems of the heart. McAnulty realistically portrays Lucy's OCD, and her struggles in middle school also ring true. Every character is fully formed, and Lucy's journey is beautifully authentic in this debut brimming with warmth, wisdom, and math. Ages 8 12.
Customer Reviews
Definitely a five star rating book for sure
This book was super good. I had to read it for a Book Club at my school. When my book club teacher, Mrs. Tatman, told us what happened in the book, I was immediately interested. My mom had to sign a permission slip for me to read the book. Otherwise, I loved this book. My friends in Book Club loved it too. SPOILER ALERT!! I loved how Mr. Stoker adopted Pi as a pet when he had cancer.
I thought Maddie was kind of a jerk to Lucy, but Windy and Levi were nice to her at least. Whoever is reading this, I’m going to give you a word of advice: You’re going to run into some mean kids in your lives. There’s this kid named Kit at my school who makes fun of me and my friend Javian because he thinks we’re “dating.” This other kid Julian who’s in my class makes fun of me and calls me gay. My mom told me to stand up for yourself. That’s the advice I’m giving you. If you ever run into a mean person and they won’t stop bothering you and you want them to go away, stand up for yourself. Trust me, it’ll help. But back to the book, I would LOVE it if the author please made a sequel because I would love to know what would happen to Lucy next. This is a definite five star rating book, actually, if you could, I would rate this:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trust me on this. It’s a really good book. And I loved it so much, despite being forced to read it.
I LOVE THIS
This book is probably one of the best novels I have ever read , highly recommend!!
Perfect!
10/10 this book is addicting! And to be honest I was sort of blown away by Lucy’s math skills (she’s crazy intelligent!) I’ve never read anything like this before, so truly this book is one of a kind!!