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Avery Sisters Trilogy #1
Lucky (Avery Sisters Trilogy) by Rachel Vail
It's all good . . . and lucky Phoebe Avery plans to celebrate by throwing an end-of-the-year bash with her four closest friends. Everything will be perfect—from the guest list to the fashion photographer to the engraved invitations. The only thing left to do is find the perfect dress . . . until Phoebe goes from having it all to hiding all she's lost.Phoebe's older sisters warn her to keep the family's crisis totally secret. Unfortunately, her alpha-girl best friend looks increasingly suspicious, and Phoebe's crush starts sending seriously mixed signals. Phoebe tries hard to keep smiling, but when her mother is humiliated in Neiman Marcus while buying Phoebe that perfect dress and her father decides to cancel her party, she panics. How far will she go to keep up her image as a lucky girl?
Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Rachel Vail
56 books457 followersBirth
I was born on July 25, 1966, in NEW YORK CITY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with my mother, my father, and my younger brother Jon. (And down the street from my future husband, though of course I didn't know that until much later.)
Interests
Some details, I do know-I was very into reading and theater, so I read every book I could get my hands on (especially realistic fiction, either contemporary or historical) and took acting workshops and auditioned for every play in school, camp, or the community. I played Peter Pan, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and lots of extremely memorable chorus parts-for instance, I was "girl number two" in Fiddler on the Roof-the one who said "We heard about your sister, Chava". I didn't care -I just wanted to be on stage. Waiting backstage before curtain call, after giving my all in a performance, was the best feeling I knew. In seventh grade I started taking magic lessons, and by eighth grade I was making all my own spending money by performing at kids' birthday parties as a clown named Tallulah. I liked the freedom of wearing all that grease-paint-I could be as wacky and un-cool as I wanted. I tried dance but felt so clumsy. I faked a sprained ankle to get out of the recital. I took voice lessons which made me a little light-headed (and I was afraid of the voice teacher's growling, drooling Doberman) and both saxophone and piano, neither of which I ever practiced. I did well in school but started a lot of my work at the last minute, in a crazy mad dash, so that it was never late but there were usually careless errors or areas I had to fudge. I had this idea that to work hard at something was sort of a negative, an admission that I didn't have natural talent. If I wasn't going to be Mozart and have the music (or dance, or math, or social studies term paper, or whatever) channeled through me from God, then I was just embarrassing myself by all that workmanlike effort. I didn't get over that idea until after college, by the way.
Career Ambitions
I never really planned to be a writer. I planned to be a financial wizard after learning about option-spreading at age 10, then a poet after discovering Shakespeare at 11. After overhearing "the real power is held by the lobbyists" on a class trip to Albany, I planned to become a lobbyist. Secretly, of course I always imagined myself as an actress, but that didn't seem hard or important enough, and also I worried I wasn't naturally gifted enough.
Parents
My parents were always great. I liked to make them proud, and they trusted me and supported my efforts and interests, which was sometimes weirdly tough. There was so little for me to rebel against.
As a Kid
When people ask me what I was as a kid, I always feel like my answer is at best incomplete.What are you like, as a kid? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm like as an adult.
Socially
Well, things went in waves. Sometimes I felt very "in", very aware of and tied in to the whole scene, excited by who liked whom, all the gossip, some of it less than kind. Other times I felt so alone-like there was nobody like me, nobody who liked me, nobody to talk to. And much of the time it was somewhere in between. A best friend when I was lucky, and a few people in each crowd I liked and who liked me. I resisted being classified as a brain or a jock or alternative or popular-too limiting. I would have to shut down too many parts of myself to be just one type.
Adolescence
I went through a very intense stage in middle school (Junior High). I worried about being too ordinary. I also worried about being too weird. I also worried about changing states of matter, my inability to be morally certain, ignorance (my own and world-wide), and making a fool of myself.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rachel...
I was born on July 25, 1966, in NEW YORK CITY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with my mother, my father, and my younger brother Jon. (And down the street from my future husband, though of course I didn't know that until much later.)
Interests
Some details, I do know-I was very into reading and theater, so I read every book I could get my hands on (especially realistic fiction, either contemporary or historical) and took acting workshops and auditioned for every play in school, camp, or the community. I played Peter Pan, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and lots of extremely memorable chorus parts-for instance, I was "girl number two" in Fiddler on the Roof-the one who said "We heard about your sister, Chava". I didn't care -I just wanted to be on stage. Waiting backstage before curtain call, after giving my all in a performance, was the best feeling I knew. In seventh grade I started taking magic lessons, and by eighth grade I was making all my own spending money by performing at kids' birthday parties as a clown named Tallulah. I liked the freedom of wearing all that grease-paint-I could be as wacky and un-cool as I wanted. I tried dance but felt so clumsy. I faked a sprained ankle to get out of the recital. I took voice lessons which made me a little light-headed (and I was afraid of the voice teacher's growling, drooling Doberman) and both saxophone and piano, neither of which I ever practiced. I did well in school but started a lot of my work at the last minute, in a crazy mad dash, so that it was never late but there were usually careless errors or areas I had to fudge. I had this idea that to work hard at something was sort of a negative, an admission that I didn't have natural talent. If I wasn't going to be Mozart and have the music (or dance, or math, or social studies term paper, or whatever) channeled through me from God, then I was just embarrassing myself by all that workmanlike effort. I didn't get over that idea until after college, by the way.
Career Ambitions
I never really planned to be a writer. I planned to be a financial wizard after learning about option-spreading at age 10, then a poet after discovering Shakespeare at 11. After overhearing "the real power is held by the lobbyists" on a class trip to Albany, I planned to become a lobbyist. Secretly, of course I always imagined myself as an actress, but that didn't seem hard or important enough, and also I worried I wasn't naturally gifted enough.
Parents
My parents were always great. I liked to make them proud, and they trusted me and supported my efforts and interests, which was sometimes weirdly tough. There was so little for me to rebel against.
As a Kid
When people ask me what I was as a kid, I always feel like my answer is at best incomplete.What are you like, as a kid? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm like as an adult.
Socially
Well, things went in waves. Sometimes I felt very "in", very aware of and tied in to the whole scene, excited by who liked whom, all the gossip, some of it less than kind. Other times I felt so alone-like there was nobody like me, nobody who liked me, nobody to talk to. And much of the time it was somewhere in between. A best friend when I was lucky, and a few people in each crowd I liked and who liked me. I resisted being classified as a brain or a jock or alternative or popular-too limiting. I would have to shut down too many parts of myself to be just one type.
Adolescence
I went through a very intense stage in middle school (Junior High). I worried about being too ordinary. I also worried about being too weird. I also worried about changing states of matter, my inability to be morally certain, ignorance (my own and world-wide), and making a fool of myself.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rachel...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
January 22, 2012
This is a book with absolutely no climax and she just complains the whole book about how she is not going to get her dress and how her graduation is "ruined"
May 6, 2008
Reviewed by The Compulsive Reader for TeensReadToo.com
Phoebe, the youngest of the Avery sisters, is graduating from middle school. Her life seems perfect. She and her four best friends will be having the party of the year, she has an eye on the perfect dress, and the promise of high school's new beginnings. But when Phoebe's mom starts acting weird, and her friends start alienating her, the perfect conclusion to her eighth-grade year is at stake.
Can Phoebe pull it together and do what's right, even if it means swallowing her pride and forgoing what she wants most?
LUCKY is the wholly enjoyable first novel in Rachel Vail's new trilogy. Phoebe is a nicely relatable narrator who nearly anyone can empathize with. Her problems are those that we've all faced at one time or another, reminding us once again that you don't have to have to be privileged to be able to solve them with your dignity intact.
Witty and engaging, by the time this coming-of-age story is spun, you'll feel truly lucky to read it.
Phoebe, the youngest of the Avery sisters, is graduating from middle school. Her life seems perfect. She and her four best friends will be having the party of the year, she has an eye on the perfect dress, and the promise of high school's new beginnings. But when Phoebe's mom starts acting weird, and her friends start alienating her, the perfect conclusion to her eighth-grade year is at stake.
Can Phoebe pull it together and do what's right, even if it means swallowing her pride and forgoing what she wants most?
LUCKY is the wholly enjoyable first novel in Rachel Vail's new trilogy. Phoebe is a nicely relatable narrator who nearly anyone can empathize with. Her problems are those that we've all faced at one time or another, reminding us once again that you don't have to have to be privileged to be able to solve them with your dignity intact.
Witty and engaging, by the time this coming-of-age story is spun, you'll feel truly lucky to read it.
November 28, 2015
There are three kinds of people who read reviews: those who want to know whether it's good, those who want to know what it's about, and the parents/readers who want to double check the profanity and sexual contact and morales of the book. I will address each.
Those who want to know what it's about:
For this, I'll put the protagonist, Phoebe Avery, into a meeting of AA (Avery's Anonymous).
*Enters Phoebe*
"Hi. My name is Phoebe and I'm an Avery."
Rest of the Avery's: "Hiii Phoebe."
"Um, hi. So, like, I'm rich and cute and have three sisters. But, like, my mom lost her job. Now I may be poor soon. In order to appease and keep my friends, I tell no one. My bestie finds out though and was mad at me for not telling her. So... It's just really complicated with the whole friendship problem, Mom problem, and then-- get this!! I have boy problems!"
*Phoebe faints*
Those who want to know whether it's good:
Con: I didn't understand the whole fear Phoebe had of being poor. I mean, the first thing to go would be her house after their car. Once she sold it, according to the description of the mansion, it'd seem that she'd be rich again as soon as it was sold. So... Yeah. There goes the conflict.
Pro: I smiled at some points. Didn't really laugh. But it was good if you're looking for a pretentious girl learning her place book. But, don't expect to be awed by the plot, like "Woah, that was interesting." No, but it was fun and charming and Phoebe is not relatable, but some of her situations were.
Those who want to double check the profanity and sexual contact and morales:
Profanity was common, with the h-word, b-word, and a-word used every other page, along with the d-word. But there was no f-bomb, and they only suggested to the s-word.
For sexual contact, they only kissed.
For morales, ummm.
“I was horny,” I said, choosing Gabrielle’s favorite word.
“You?” Gabrielle asked.
“You’re not the only one who gets horny.” I shrugged, trying to act as casual about it as I was trying to feel. “No big deal. So what, we made out. It wasn’t the first time.”
Maybe it won’t be the last. No. Don’t think about that.
“So you were just using him?” Kirstyn asked.
I wasn’t sure what to answer, what she wanted me to say. I gathered the blanket around me tighter. “I guess,” I said.
“Why not?” Gabrielle asked.”
I could tell you why not. Other than that, Phoebe confronts her friend about her priorities out of envy, not concern. Phoebe is super cruel, as she repeatedly dumps Luke for her friends, and he STILL LIKES HER. But this is a book about honesty and making lemonade out of lemons when life gives them to her.
Those who want to know what it's about:
For this, I'll put the protagonist, Phoebe Avery, into a meeting of AA (Avery's Anonymous).
*Enters Phoebe*
"Hi. My name is Phoebe and I'm an Avery."
Rest of the Avery's: "Hiii Phoebe."
"Um, hi. So, like, I'm rich and cute and have three sisters. But, like, my mom lost her job. Now I may be poor soon. In order to appease and keep my friends, I tell no one. My bestie finds out though and was mad at me for not telling her. So... It's just really complicated with the whole friendship problem, Mom problem, and then-- get this!! I have boy problems!"
*Phoebe faints*
Those who want to know whether it's good:
Con: I didn't understand the whole fear Phoebe had of being poor. I mean, the first thing to go would be her house after their car. Once she sold it, according to the description of the mansion, it'd seem that she'd be rich again as soon as it was sold. So... Yeah. There goes the conflict.
Pro: I smiled at some points. Didn't really laugh. But it was good if you're looking for a pretentious girl learning her place book. But, don't expect to be awed by the plot, like "Woah, that was interesting." No, but it was fun and charming and Phoebe is not relatable, but some of her situations were.
Those who want to double check the profanity and sexual contact and morales:
Profanity was common, with the h-word, b-word, and a-word used every other page, along with the d-word. But there was no f-bomb, and they only suggested to the s-word.
For sexual contact, they only kissed.
For morales, ummm.
“I was horny,” I said, choosing Gabrielle’s favorite word.
“You?” Gabrielle asked.
“You’re not the only one who gets horny.” I shrugged, trying to act as casual about it as I was trying to feel. “No big deal. So what, we made out. It wasn’t the first time.”
Maybe it won’t be the last. No. Don’t think about that.
“So you were just using him?” Kirstyn asked.
I wasn’t sure what to answer, what she wanted me to say. I gathered the blanket around me tighter. “I guess,” I said.
“Why not?” Gabrielle asked.”
I could tell you why not. Other than that, Phoebe confronts her friend about her priorities out of envy, not concern. Phoebe is super cruel, as she repeatedly dumps Luke for her friends, and he STILL LIKES HER. But this is a book about honesty and making lemonade out of lemons when life gives them to her.
October 15, 2018
The book's ending is a fairytale ending. All the issues are solved and happiness is in the air.
Phoebe is graduating from middle school and her friend group planned a party. Throughout the book, Phoebe runs into friendship and family issues. As expected Phoebe's issues get solved.
This book wasn't eye-opening or unique to me. It's the basic middle school story that is in every library. However, I did enjoy the book because the story was easy to follow along with.
Phoebe is graduating from middle school and her friend group planned a party. Throughout the book, Phoebe runs into friendship and family issues. As expected Phoebe's issues get solved.
This book wasn't eye-opening or unique to me. It's the basic middle school story that is in every library. However, I did enjoy the book because the story was easy to follow along with.
May 18, 2012
I convinced myself I wouldn't like this book, I kept telling myself I was only reading it as a light fluff-read since I couldn't concentrate with this headache I've had all day. Oh Dread I've been awful grumpy, but about halfway into this book I started to get more and more into it (not saying its slow at the beginning, I was just brat-tastic and stubborn when I started reading it). The book is part one of a trilogy, each novel is in the eyes of one of three sisters during a major turning point in their young lives. Phoebe is the youngest and the voice of Lucky, she is about to graduate middle school (8th grade) and is facing a whole lot of changes with friends, family, relationships, and her own maturity. Lucky grew into a touching story of friendship, I loved that. I wasn't expecting the end really and I did find myself wanting more, however, I want more from Phoebe's perspective so I haven't decided yet if I will be reading the other two books, Brilliant and Gorgeous. This is the first book I've read by Rachel Vail and it was written in a fun, charismatic fashion, with just enough quirkiness...I'll definitely have to check out other things she has written besides this trilogy (nowhere on the first book does it say trilogy, now that I look closer, but as far as I know there are only 3 books).
I definitely recommend Lucky to anyone looking for a light, quick, YA read. I usually shy away from middle-grade based novels but this one stretches just enough so that "middle school" is not the main focus. I will admit I unjustly hated on this book. After all, "you can't own your victories if you won't admit your failures, you know?"
:)
August 20, 2012
Lucky has been on my wish list for a while now and when I saw it in the library the other day I almost fainted with joy. I started reading it as soon as I could and finished it in about 3 or 4 hours. This was a weird book to read, I really enjoyed it but at the same time I didn't, if that makes sense. :p The ending really tied up my feelings though which I'm happy and relieved about!
When I started Lucky, I was extremely excited, yet I'm sad to say it disappointed me a bit...in the beginning. The ending was just phenomenal, I was literally gawking, that's how much it surprised me and (YAY) it gained another star from me! :D
I really enjoyed the plot, it was entertaining, dramatic and just fun to read! I'm on a dystopian and contemporary kick (weird mixture, right?), and 6 out of the seven books I got at the library are contemporaries. I'm quite happy to say that this wasn't all one of the extra cheesy ones that taste more cheesy than a margherita pizza , the romance was sweet and not too dramatic. Some parts of the book were quite predictable, but others weren't, which was (literally) a nice surprise.
Let the rant begin...
Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe, oh how I could not stand you in the beginning. Phoebe was your typical snobby, super rich girl. She never worried about anything, lived a cushy life, was pretty, popular and smart. Through Lucky, she really annoyed me. She was really superficial, when her mom lost her job and her dad said that they would have to be careful with their money, what did Phoebe do? She threw a tantrum because now she couldn't have the dress she wanted. I was stunned, if my dad lost his job, I would literally scour the streets for a job and search the newspaper or computer 24/7 so that he would be able to work. I really thought Phoebe could've behaved a bit better, she could have been nice about it or she could've just kept calm till she got home and then have a good scream in the pillow, or go for a facial, or whatever millionaire girls do when they're stressed and frustrated. And all I wanted to do was slap some sense into her, there are people dying of hunger and she's going on about a dress. For a middle-school graduation.
Phoebe and Luke. I felt so sorry for that poor boy. Phoebe kisses him and then dumps him and says she doesn't like him, jut so her friends will think she is cool. Each time Phoebe says she's sorry, they literally kiss and make up. I wanted to keep screaming at Phoebe to stop worrying about what her friends will say and just make up or break up already! Thankfully, at the end, she made up her mind. And can I just say how lovely Luke was, he never doubted Phoebe even when she was a complete and utter brat towards him, she even impaled his arm with a fish hook and he took her back. That's love.
Phoebe and her friends. I don't know if any of you have ever read the book the Clique? I haven't either, but I've seen the movie (I know, I never watch the movies before I read the books, but I didn't know it was a book until I googled it! >.<) and the girls in this book reminded me a bit of them. Phoebe and her four other best friends weren't exactly mean girls, but they were "the popular group" and thought the world of themselves. At first, I didn't like Kirstyn she was a complete and utter brat and I must confess, in the back of my mind, I was like she's not a true friend, don't trust her etc. But when she revealed her lovely, true colours in the end I was completely and utterly relieved and I warmed up to her immediately. I won't say anything more as it would be quite spoiler-y, but what she did for Phoebe was really heart-warming and proved that Kirstyn was a true friend. Poor Phoebe felt very bad when she found out Kirstyn knew her secret and she was being very supportive and Phoebe had a complete lash out at her. O_o
So now you pretty much know why I couldn't stand Phoebe, but now I'm pretty sure you want to know why I gave it an extra star? Because guess what? PHOEBE HAD A COMPLETE CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION! YES! She did! I was so happy that the silly girl finally came to her senses, I think I actually had tears welling up in my eyes. They grow up so fast *wipes away tear* well, it was about time she did!
Phoebe was so amazing at the end of the book, I could've hugged her! She realised that she is lucky, not because she is pretty/popular/smart, but because she's surrounded by the most amazing people, amazing friends and amazing family. It took me by complete and utter surprise and I think its one of the best endings I've ever read in a book. So if you've been put off reading it...reconsider it. Look at it from a perspective that she was once a horrible, spoilt brat, but that throughout the novel she grows into a wonderful person. A selfless, kind, loving person.
This was a really enjoyable book, it contained an interesting plot that held my attention, realistic characters that had depth to that and who turned into lovely characters at the end. Lucky will hold your attention and teach you life lessons along the way. I wasn't loving this book but the ending was marvellous, I would read it if I were you. You will be delightfully surprised in the end.
I give it: 4/5 CUPCAKES!
When I started Lucky, I was extremely excited, yet I'm sad to say it disappointed me a bit...in the beginning. The ending was just phenomenal, I was literally gawking, that's how much it surprised me and (YAY) it gained another star from me! :D
I really enjoyed the plot, it was entertaining, dramatic and just fun to read! I'm on a dystopian and contemporary kick (weird mixture, right?), and 6 out of the seven books I got at the library are contemporaries. I'm quite happy to say that this wasn't all one of the extra cheesy ones that taste more cheesy than a margherita pizza , the romance was sweet and not too dramatic. Some parts of the book were quite predictable, but others weren't, which was (literally) a nice surprise.
Let the rant begin...
Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe, oh how I could not stand you in the beginning. Phoebe was your typical snobby, super rich girl. She never worried about anything, lived a cushy life, was pretty, popular and smart. Through Lucky, she really annoyed me. She was really superficial, when her mom lost her job and her dad said that they would have to be careful with their money, what did Phoebe do? She threw a tantrum because now she couldn't have the dress she wanted. I was stunned, if my dad lost his job, I would literally scour the streets for a job and search the newspaper or computer 24/7 so that he would be able to work. I really thought Phoebe could've behaved a bit better, she could have been nice about it or she could've just kept calm till she got home and then have a good scream in the pillow, or go for a facial, or whatever millionaire girls do when they're stressed and frustrated. And all I wanted to do was slap some sense into her, there are people dying of hunger and she's going on about a dress. For a middle-school graduation.
Phoebe and Luke. I felt so sorry for that poor boy. Phoebe kisses him and then dumps him and says she doesn't like him, jut so her friends will think she is cool. Each time Phoebe says she's sorry, they literally kiss and make up. I wanted to keep screaming at Phoebe to stop worrying about what her friends will say and just make up or break up already! Thankfully, at the end, she made up her mind. And can I just say how lovely Luke was, he never doubted Phoebe even when she was a complete and utter brat towards him, she even impaled his arm with a fish hook and he took her back. That's love.
Phoebe and her friends. I don't know if any of you have ever read the book the Clique? I haven't either, but I've seen the movie (I know, I never watch the movies before I read the books, but I didn't know it was a book until I googled it! >.<) and the girls in this book reminded me a bit of them. Phoebe and her four other best friends weren't exactly mean girls, but they were "the popular group" and thought the world of themselves. At first, I didn't like Kirstyn she was a complete and utter brat and I must confess, in the back of my mind, I was like she's not a true friend, don't trust her etc. But when she revealed her lovely, true colours in the end I was completely and utterly relieved and I warmed up to her immediately. I won't say anything more as it would be quite spoiler-y, but what she did for Phoebe was really heart-warming and proved that Kirstyn was a true friend. Poor Phoebe felt very bad when she found out Kirstyn knew her secret and she was being very supportive and Phoebe had a complete lash out at her. O_o
So now you pretty much know why I couldn't stand Phoebe, but now I'm pretty sure you want to know why I gave it an extra star? Because guess what? PHOEBE HAD A COMPLETE CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION! YES! She did! I was so happy that the silly girl finally came to her senses, I think I actually had tears welling up in my eyes. They grow up so fast *wipes away tear* well, it was about time she did!
Phoebe was so amazing at the end of the book, I could've hugged her! She realised that she is lucky, not because she is pretty/popular/smart, but because she's surrounded by the most amazing people, amazing friends and amazing family. It took me by complete and utter surprise and I think its one of the best endings I've ever read in a book. So if you've been put off reading it...reconsider it. Look at it from a perspective that she was once a horrible, spoilt brat, but that throughout the novel she grows into a wonderful person. A selfless, kind, loving person.
This was a really enjoyable book, it contained an interesting plot that held my attention, realistic characters that had depth to that and who turned into lovely characters at the end. Lucky will hold your attention and teach you life lessons along the way. I wasn't loving this book but the ending was marvellous, I would read it if I were you. You will be delightfully surprised in the end.
I give it: 4/5 CUPCAKES!
February 10, 2019
LUCKY is the debut novel in Rachel Vail's new trilogy. Phoebe is a nicely relatable character who all readers can empathize with. This is a middles school or young high schooler book.
October 1, 2020
I like this book because because this is another book that holds the three sisters lives and how they are separate from one another. There are three books from each sisters' perspective.
December 19, 2014
Here it is.
The worst book I ever read.
Everything happened at once, and nothing happened at all.
I will say this. This book is perfect for you if you like reading about shallow, spoiled, bratty, selfish fourteen-year-olds who don't know a thing about life and think they do, kissing their boyfriends from sixth grade (you read that right) and then leaving the boys hanging while they sneak around their parents' mansions and their friends party in the Hamptons with high school boys. Complaining. The. Entire. Time.
If the main character had actually shaped up by the end of the book that would've been something. But here's what happens. She If that had actually been slightly resolved it could've redeemed a story that was shallow from start to finish. But no one gained any responsibility or maturity by the end. Ooh, she humbled herself enough to accept her friend's gift of the dress they both knew she wanted more than anything. She once complimented a girl she'd been a little mean to before. Not enough to counterbalance that all along her group of "best friends" were talking about each other behind their backs.
None of these brats changed or shaped up by the end of this novel. It took over two hundred pages to say "The brats stayed brats."
But, if that's what you like, this book is for you. Hope you regret reading it less than I did. (Not really.)
The worst book I ever read.
Everything happened at once, and nothing happened at all.
I will say this. This book is perfect for you if you like reading about shallow, spoiled, bratty, selfish fourteen-year-olds who don't know a thing about life and think they do, kissing their boyfriends from sixth grade (you read that right) and then leaving the boys hanging while they sneak around their parents' mansions and their friends party in the Hamptons with high school boys. Complaining. The. Entire. Time.
If the main character had actually shaped up by the end of the book that would've been something. But here's what happens. She If that had actually been slightly resolved it could've redeemed a story that was shallow from start to finish. But no one gained any responsibility or maturity by the end. Ooh, she humbled herself enough to accept her friend's gift of the dress they both knew she wanted more than anything. She once complimented a girl she'd been a little mean to before. Not enough to counterbalance that all along her group of "best friends" were talking about each other behind their backs.
None of these brats changed or shaped up by the end of this novel. It took over two hundred pages to say "The brats stayed brats."
But, if that's what you like, this book is for you. Hope you regret reading it less than I did. (Not really.)
April 30, 2008
Phoebe Avery is about to graduate from middle school, and she couldn’t be more thrilled. But it’s mostly the graduation party that she’s excited about, because it’s a chance to be with her best friends having fun in a fabulous dress. But something goes wrong. It turns out that Phoebe’s mother has lost her job. Now the family is in a financial crisis. Phoebe can no longer afford to pay her share for the party.
She’s too embarrassed to tell her friends her economic situation. Even though she’s been friends with these girls since elementary school, she doesn’t quite trust them completely, especially her friend Kirstyn, who seems even more self-centered than usual. Phoebe isn’t very close to her two older sisters, so she can’t really confide in them. Her parents are too stressed out. To top that off, she’s not quite sure if she like likes Luke. Phoebe has no one to turn to. She needs to stick it out by herself.
When I first read the summary for Lucky, I thought that it was going to be another book like Gossip Girl, but I was wrong. The summary says that there is a “family scandal,” but I thought that a rich family losing money was hardly scandalous, though that is just my opinion. I was actually glad that Lucky wasn’t one of those shallow teenager books, and it was a refreshing read.
Lucky was a thoroughly enjoyable book for me even though it would be better for the middle school crowd. Phoebe’s character is funny, and while she isn’t extremely deep, she isn’t shallow either. It was easy to sympathize with her. The ending was a little too cheesy for my taste, but I appreciated that Phoebe was making amends with her family, friends, and potential boyfriend. I was glad that Phoebe could find her inner strength. My overall favorite part was the references to a gorgeous green Vera Wang dress that is displayed on the cover because of its symbolism.
I definitely recommend this novel to all young readers. I also look forward to more books from Rachel Vail, especially more from the Avery sisters.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
She’s too embarrassed to tell her friends her economic situation. Even though she’s been friends with these girls since elementary school, she doesn’t quite trust them completely, especially her friend Kirstyn, who seems even more self-centered than usual. Phoebe isn’t very close to her two older sisters, so she can’t really confide in them. Her parents are too stressed out. To top that off, she’s not quite sure if she like likes Luke. Phoebe has no one to turn to. She needs to stick it out by herself.
When I first read the summary for Lucky, I thought that it was going to be another book like Gossip Girl, but I was wrong. The summary says that there is a “family scandal,” but I thought that a rich family losing money was hardly scandalous, though that is just my opinion. I was actually glad that Lucky wasn’t one of those shallow teenager books, and it was a refreshing read.
Lucky was a thoroughly enjoyable book for me even though it would be better for the middle school crowd. Phoebe’s character is funny, and while she isn’t extremely deep, she isn’t shallow either. It was easy to sympathize with her. The ending was a little too cheesy for my taste, but I appreciated that Phoebe was making amends with her family, friends, and potential boyfriend. I was glad that Phoebe could find her inner strength. My overall favorite part was the references to a gorgeous green Vera Wang dress that is displayed on the cover because of its symbolism.
I definitely recommend this novel to all young readers. I also look forward to more books from Rachel Vail, especially more from the Avery sisters.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
April 5, 2011
Characters:
Initially, I was turned off by the book's characters. Phoebe seemed to be very shallow, I didn't empathize with her situation. Then toward the middle of the book I began to like her and root for her. In the end, Vail succeeded in drawing her reader into the main character. Phoebe became likable and thought provoking as she grew in understanding of her own situation.
Phoebe's best friend, Kaitlyn, on the other had wasn't a character I thought fit with the story. Her character's description and actions didn't reflect the catalyst necessary to cause Phoebe's own change.
Plot/Conflict/Theme:
The plot wasn't what kept me reading, though entertaining, it was slightly predictable. I would have liked a few more twists and/or a conflict that was less shallow and more substantial. Granted there was a underlying theme here that had the potential to take this book to the next level, but didn't quite make it.
Quality of Writing:
I loved the quality of writing that Rachel Vail produced. She has a way with words that made the novel play out like music on a piano. The character's dialogue was realistic, and the descriptions brought vivid images to the readers imagination.
Favorite Line: Pheobe is speaking at her 8th Grade Continuation.
"People think fourteen-year-olds are awful, and maybe we are. We're moody and nasty and maybe we sometimes have way too much...you know, personality. Maybe we drive you crazy, but trust me, it doesn't even come close to how crazy we drive one another. Or ourselves. But we don't completely suck" (Vail 222).
My Rating:
Book: A for Average
Cover: B for Brilliant- Book cover was simple and elegant.
Review taken from my blog: Inkslingersindex.blogspot.com/
Initially, I was turned off by the book's characters. Phoebe seemed to be very shallow, I didn't empathize with her situation. Then toward the middle of the book I began to like her and root for her. In the end, Vail succeeded in drawing her reader into the main character. Phoebe became likable and thought provoking as she grew in understanding of her own situation.
Phoebe's best friend, Kaitlyn, on the other had wasn't a character I thought fit with the story. Her character's description and actions didn't reflect the catalyst necessary to cause Phoebe's own change.
Plot/Conflict/Theme:
The plot wasn't what kept me reading, though entertaining, it was slightly predictable. I would have liked a few more twists and/or a conflict that was less shallow and more substantial. Granted there was a underlying theme here that had the potential to take this book to the next level, but didn't quite make it.
Quality of Writing:
I loved the quality of writing that Rachel Vail produced. She has a way with words that made the novel play out like music on a piano. The character's dialogue was realistic, and the descriptions brought vivid images to the readers imagination.
Favorite Line: Pheobe is speaking at her 8th Grade Continuation.
"People think fourteen-year-olds are awful, and maybe we are. We're moody and nasty and maybe we sometimes have way too much...you know, personality. Maybe we drive you crazy, but trust me, it doesn't even come close to how crazy we drive one another. Or ourselves. But we don't completely suck" (Vail 222).
My Rating:
Book: A for Average
Cover: B for Brilliant- Book cover was simple and elegant.
Review taken from my blog: Inkslingersindex.blogspot.com/
February 27, 2017
Lucky is the first book in a trilogy about the Avery sisters. Phoebe Avery is the youngest one of the sisters and all her life, she has been considered “lucky”. Pretty, popular, and rich, Phoebe and her best friend Kirstyn and her three other close friends are the social center of their grade. Then, Phoebe`s family has a financial catastrophe and Phoebe realizes she needs to figure out who she is.
One thing I have to commend Rachel Vail on is that she knows how to write teenage characters. All of them were so dynamic and real. The relationships did not have a ring of falsity, and everything that Phoebe said, I could imagine a teenager saying. Another thing I liked were the hints of problems with Phoebe’s other sisters that are to be explored in the other two books in the trilogy.
I found Phoebe’s coming of age story to be quite sincere. I personally enjoyed reading about her discovery into what it means to be a good friend, a good daughter, and a good person. I also thought the book really reminded us to be more trusting of the people that we should trust. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next two books.
One thing I have to commend Rachel Vail on is that she knows how to write teenage characters. All of them were so dynamic and real. The relationships did not have a ring of falsity, and everything that Phoebe said, I could imagine a teenager saying. Another thing I liked were the hints of problems with Phoebe’s other sisters that are to be explored in the other two books in the trilogy.
I found Phoebe’s coming of age story to be quite sincere. I personally enjoyed reading about her discovery into what it means to be a good friend, a good daughter, and a good person. I also thought the book really reminded us to be more trusting of the people that we should trust. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next two books.
June 16, 2008
I have always found Rachel Vail's books to be better than the average chick lit.This book, about a mother who loses her job and causes the immature Phoebe to resist her new "poor" status (she can't afford a Neiman Marcus dress or an elaborate graduation party.) Also, as is common in 8th grade, friends are growing apart.
I didn't like this as much as other Rachel Vail books, but its still a strong middle school read, especially in this tough economy.
I didn't like this as much as other Rachel Vail books, but its still a strong middle school read, especially in this tough economy.
September 14, 2008
Girls will appreciate this story of a youngest sister whose 8th grade graduation plans are interrupted when her mother loses her Wall St. job. Humorous dialog and young romance make this very entertaining.
March 8, 2009
The beginning was good. Everything else was FabOuLoUs! But the ending was TOTALLY sappy. The author could have not rushed it, or at least could have done a much better ending. It was too happy and too sappy and a little bit too rushed. Other than the ending of the book, it was worth reading.
July 15, 2009
kinda made me mad about how spoiled these girls were. i mean, wut eighth grader gets mad at her mom wen she doesnt get a $400 dress for a party??? anyway, got kinda boring cuz not muchh romance (yes i LOVE a good romance story)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2008
i just didn't (couldn't) buy the ending, just too far from reality; or does real life not count because this is part of the "rich teen girls" genre that's in now (in books and tv)
July 1, 2011
Phoebe's an unbearable, spoiled brat from page one, but I was hoping that she would learn her lesson and have a fun personality makeover, à la Cher from "Clueless." No such luck.
November 3, 2011
Oh my goodness! I loved this book! I would reccomend this book to anyone tht has ever gone through a hard time in there life.
November 23, 2022
This was an average read. Not as good as Well, That Was Awkward, but very likely still a winner with junior high girls. I tend to forget that teens aren't looking for stellar writing. They're looking for interesting plots that include friendships and boys. Check. Check.
Phoebe Avery is the protagonist. The book revolves around a grand party she and her 4 besties are planning for their 8th grade graduation. We're talking about a party that costs several thousand dollars. But Phoebe has a problem. Her mom, a financial consultant, has made a bad business decision, and is consequently fired. Checks are bouncing. Credit cards are maxed. Phoebe isn't going to get the beautiful green dress she wanted. Worse, her family can no longer pay her share of the party expenses.
Phoebe is sure her friends are going to disown her when they find out she will no longer be rich like them. So instead of telling the truth, she gives a lame excuse about why she's backing out of the party. Part of her excuse is wrongly directed at best friend Kirstyn, claiming she's made the party all about herself, which has ruined it. In the end, Phoebe realizes her mistake, Kirstyn forgives her, and the party goes forward. And all the awkwardness around her reignited love interest from 6th grade finally works itself out too.
This wasn't an exciting read for me. The characters are flat. The scenes with Luke are particularly uneventful and boring. The Kirstyn we see at the end doesn't really match up with the Kirstyn we've been following from the beginning. The trilogy is called the Avery Sisters, but I didn't think the sisters added anything to the story. Nothing much happens. Just Phoebe fretting but her family's new financial woes and a bunch of girls dealing with changing friendships. But. The target audience will enjoy it.
Grade 8 and up for a few swear words and talk of being "horny."
Phoebe Avery is the protagonist. The book revolves around a grand party she and her 4 besties are planning for their 8th grade graduation. We're talking about a party that costs several thousand dollars. But Phoebe has a problem. Her mom, a financial consultant, has made a bad business decision, and is consequently fired. Checks are bouncing. Credit cards are maxed. Phoebe isn't going to get the beautiful green dress she wanted. Worse, her family can no longer pay her share of the party expenses.
Phoebe is sure her friends are going to disown her when they find out she will no longer be rich like them. So instead of telling the truth, she gives a lame excuse about why she's backing out of the party. Part of her excuse is wrongly directed at best friend Kirstyn, claiming she's made the party all about herself, which has ruined it. In the end, Phoebe realizes her mistake, Kirstyn forgives her, and the party goes forward. And all the awkwardness around her reignited love interest from 6th grade finally works itself out too.
This wasn't an exciting read for me. The characters are flat. The scenes with Luke are particularly uneventful and boring. The Kirstyn we see at the end doesn't really match up with the Kirstyn we've been following from the beginning. The trilogy is called the Avery Sisters, but I didn't think the sisters added anything to the story. Nothing much happens. Just Phoebe fretting but her family's new financial woes and a bunch of girls dealing with changing friendships. But. The target audience will enjoy it.
Grade 8 and up for a few swear words and talk of being "horny."
May 4, 2023
Lucky is a fun realistic fiction novel by Rachel Vail. The theme of Lucky is friendship and love. I think that the author, Rachel Vail, wanted to teach the readers about empathy and how to be a good friend, and how great you can be with any financial state.
Lucky is a realistic fiction novel that takes place in modern day, during the last month of school. The main character, Phoebe Avery, is a lucky girl. She is smart, rich, pretty, and kind. She even gets to host the biggest party of the eighth grade with all of her best friends. That is until her mom loses her job, and Phoebe’s life doesn’t seem so lucky anymore. Phoebe tries her best to be positive, but now her friendships and relationships start to fall apart. Phoebe has never dealt with anything like this before, but now she has a lot to learn about what it means to be a good friend.
Although the novel’s plot was fairly simple and could be described as boring, I enjoyed the simplicity of the novel. I think the straightforwardness made the novel more relatable for the readers. I honestly really liked Lucky because I could understand Phoebe’s struggle with her friendships, because my friend group can get into fights sometimes. I personally really enjoyed reading Lucky and I would rate it 5 stars, but I can very much understand why others wouldn’t because of how anti-climactic the plot is. My favorite quote in Lucky is, “I don’t need the perfect party or the perfect dress to feel lucky. Standing here with you right now, my friends, I just realized: I’m already the luckiest girl in the world.” because of how it shows the growth of Phoebe’s growth in character throughout the novel, and the theme that Rachel Vail was trying to show of friendship and privilege.
I think that most middle-schoolers, specifically middle-school girls, would enjoy this book, because they can understand and relate to the social issues that Phoebe faces. To conclude, Lucky is a fun realistic novel that I enjoyed and maybe others will too.
Lucky is a realistic fiction novel that takes place in modern day, during the last month of school. The main character, Phoebe Avery, is a lucky girl. She is smart, rich, pretty, and kind. She even gets to host the biggest party of the eighth grade with all of her best friends. That is until her mom loses her job, and Phoebe’s life doesn’t seem so lucky anymore. Phoebe tries her best to be positive, but now her friendships and relationships start to fall apart. Phoebe has never dealt with anything like this before, but now she has a lot to learn about what it means to be a good friend.
Although the novel’s plot was fairly simple and could be described as boring, I enjoyed the simplicity of the novel. I think the straightforwardness made the novel more relatable for the readers. I honestly really liked Lucky because I could understand Phoebe’s struggle with her friendships, because my friend group can get into fights sometimes. I personally really enjoyed reading Lucky and I would rate it 5 stars, but I can very much understand why others wouldn’t because of how anti-climactic the plot is. My favorite quote in Lucky is, “I don’t need the perfect party or the perfect dress to feel lucky. Standing here with you right now, my friends, I just realized: I’m already the luckiest girl in the world.” because of how it shows the growth of Phoebe’s growth in character throughout the novel, and the theme that Rachel Vail was trying to show of friendship and privilege.
I think that most middle-schoolers, specifically middle-school girls, would enjoy this book, because they can understand and relate to the social issues that Phoebe faces. To conclude, Lucky is a fun realistic novel that I enjoyed and maybe others will too.
May 28, 2017
Lucky by Rachel Vail was a FANTASTIC book! I liked how the author described the characters and created the conflict that is similar to real life. Phoebe Avery plans to throw an 8th grade graduation party with her four closest friends. Everything will be perfect…. until Phoebe goes from having it all to hiding everything she has lost. How far will she go to keep up her image as “the girl who has it all”? If I had to focus on one character other than Phoebe, it would be her best friend, Kirstyn. Although it seems like Kirstyn is a bratty diva, she is always there for Phoebe. She would never conceal secrets from Phoebe, and the other would do the same. This was a SURPRISING novel that I just so happened to come across in the library, and I will continue reading this trilogy!
October 23, 2018
If I could change the book I would change Phoebe's friend Jade because she was being a brat. Also she kept being bossy a little bit about he party making it all about herself. I would relate to Phoebe because I feel like I'm invisible and that I'm treated like a big baby. My favorite part of the book is when Luke and Phoebe decide to get back together YES!!!! This book made me feel nervous/excited because it made me feel nervous about when Phoebe's parents were talking to a lawyer and then it also made me feel excited when Phoebe and Luke started to talk to each other again. I would recommend this book if you like about family issues,drama,love.
March 17, 2019
Not really sure what I can say about this book. Fourteen-year-old Phoebe was a bratty, spoilt and shallow protagonist and she annoyed me from the start. Unfortunately, she showed no emotional growth throughout the book, and at the end she was still a brat. I hated how she whined and whinged when her mother lost her job and suddenly they didn't have the endless money supply she was used to having. There was more than one occasion when I wanted to slap some sense into Phoebe as she still had more money than most middle-class families have. Obnoxious brat!
April 6, 2019
I thought this was a very cute book. Upon reading some of the reviews, I was a bit shocked... I mean afterall this is a book intended for young teens so we need to view it through their eyes. Books don't need a deep twisting plot to be great. For Phoebe, her mom losing her job and ruining the normal flow of money in their household is a big deal, because things are a big deal to middle school girls. That's how their life is. I thought her reactions were realistic and the characters were very believable.
Read
June 6, 2019Teen 1: I picked up this book because I liked the cover. It was very interesting, even in the first chapter. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going on. It was written in a way that I could understand it, and it was also about things high school students need to know about.
Teen 2: I thought the book was going to be boring because it didn't catch my attention, but my perception changed. It was better in the middle and the end.
These teens had more to say. Read on for the full review.
Teen 2: I thought the book was going to be boring because it didn't catch my attention, but my perception changed. It was better in the middle and the end.
These teens had more to say. Read on for the full review.
March 6, 2019
I overall did not like the book as much as I expected. It starts off with Phoebe, the main character, seeming to be perfect and getting everything she asks for. Until it all ends when she starts to deal with family financial issues, and drama with friends. The question that is how long can she hold her image as a "lucky" girl, and if she'll succeed. Finishing the book, it felt like everything happened all at once and did not like how it had a fairytale ending. It made it less interesting, and started to become boring in the middle of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2017
I loved Rachel Vail's "Ever After" and expected this to be good. It was not at all.
September 11, 2017
I liked this book a lot. You never know what's coming next. It's filled with a bunch of events and a bunch of suprises.
June 26, 2018
Wasn't all that good.
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