Caitlin's Lucky Charm

Charmed Life #1

by Lisa Schroeder

Four best friends, one lucky bracelet, and an utterly charming new middle-grade series!

Caitlin would stay at summer camp forever if she could. Her new best friends in the world, Hannah, Mia, and Libby are there. And at home? Everything's different: Her dad is worried he might be losing his job; her mom is repainting the whole house and making the kids volunteer at a soup kitchen; and Caitlin is starting sixth grade at a new school, where none of the girls are as fun or friendly as her Cabin 7 BFFs. But Caitlin has a good-luck charm -- or a good-luck charm bracelet anyway. The Cabin 7 girls bought it together, and Caitlin is taking the first turn wearing it. She's sure it will help turn her luck around . . . but when?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Middle Grade, Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2014

About the author

Lisa Schroeder is the author of more than twenty books for kids and teens. Her latest novel is A NIGHT TO DIE FOR, a YA murder mystery. She lives in Oregon where she works full-time and writes when she can.

twitter: www.twitter.com/lisa_schroeder
instagram: lisaschroeder15

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my 8 year old daughter who is also a devoted Lisa Schroeder fan. One thing we can always count on from Lisa is really great characters that are easy to relate to, along with a great story, of course.

This book is about Caitlin and what happens after summer camp for her. She's returning home to attend a new school and she's terrified of not making new friends. On top of that, her dad might be losing his job so her family has made a lot of cuts trying to save money.

What I liked about Caitlin right away is that she's always open to making new friends. She's not really shy when meeting new people, though she does have doubts in herself, she still speaks up and introduces herself. She has a positive attitude and is a really great friend, always keeping her friends first. She makes some mistakes though, because everyone does, right? She's so desperate to get in with a group of 'fun' girls that she doesn't really realize the friends she's already made. When she realizes what great friends she has she does a great job in going out of her way to make sure they know she really appreciates them. I also liked that she doesn't let things stand in her way. When some embarrassing moments could have had her backing down and running away, she just charges forward with determination to accomplish her goals.

Family is another important theme and I loved that. Her parents, her older sister and her younger brother all have important roles and are fully fleshed out characters. It was easy to imagine this family and it was nice to read about a family with regular real life issues. Another thing I loved is that her mom brought them to volunteer at a soup kitchen. Not only is this a good example for other tweens, but it shows that it's not really so bad. It's not all work, you make new friends and you get a great sense of accomplishment. Also, a soup kitchen has a lot of regular people that go there. People you may not realize are having tough times. You can make some good friends in the last place you'd expect.

This was a very fun and fast read. It has a fantastic plot and the characters were easy to relate to and connect with. I can imagine this is a series that will become very popular for the tween girls!

[Shay #FreePalestine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Cute, quick read about friendship. Good morals for children.

[하영 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg i just finished reading it. Its soooo good i loved it. I am starting the next book whenever i am in the mood for friendship

[Simone S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I personally didn't like this as much, because we're following the day-to-day life of an 11 year old. I'm 14 now, and allot more mature in mind than just 14, so relating to Caitlin was difficult for me. I'd only give it a 2 stars, but for younger readers, this is probably a 4 - 4.5 stars. I might read the second book too, or maybe not.

The main plot of this book/series is: A group of besties from summer camp buy a souvenir to remind them of their first summer together, and of their friendship. Caitlin decides to buy a charm bracelet under the counseling of a "wrinkled old lady, with a glint in her eye (- who mysteriously disappears later on...)" thinking that it must be lucky. Her friends love it. So they decide to take turns wearing it, for a month each - adding charms as they go.

__________-----___________

Caitlin returns home to find money problems, and a change in her family's behavior. Her older sister is distant, her little brother is afraid of their father losing his job - and loosing satellite TV, her mother has redecorated the whole house, and is determined to save money, and their father is worried he might loose his job.
On top of it all, Caitlin is switching schools, and she hopes she can fit in, and find new friends there.

Read along as she tries to fit in with the 'Cool Girls' of the school, and runs for Class President!


~Simone

[Rishit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing book with no good plot just bullshit!

[Heather Shembarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a student to read. I recognized the author Schroeder from My Secret Guide to Paris which I had read a few years ago and remembered enjoying. Again, I found Schroeder's book to be enjoyable and also found it to have many good messages throughout. Four girls form a special bond while away at a summer camp. When that summer comes to an end, Caitlin finds herself missing those friendships and searching to find the same sort of thing at her new school. However, Caitlin finds herself longing for the friendship of a group of girls who do not give her the time of day while she is actually blowing off some pretty nice girls who would actually make good friends. Will Caitlin be able to recognize the true friendships that are available or will she continue to desire the friendship from a group of girls that are very exclusive? The book also brings to light struggles within a family and also financial struggles for various characters. Basically, this book covers real life situations and gives some really good messages to the reader throughout.

[Gwenyth H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlyn, an average 11 year old girl, would love to stay in summer camp forever, where all of her best friends , from all over the world are. Her being picked to be the first to buy a new charm for their lucky bracelet was amazing. When she comes back home, her family is not going so well and, she gas to go to a new school where she doesn't know anybody. She runs for student president in hope to make new friends. Will she win?

My favorite part was when she went shopping and bought a charm for the lucky charm bracelet. The charm was meant to show the next girl that got it that she care about her.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about an average 11 year old girls life.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 4 out of 5]

After meeting at camp, four girls buy and share a charm bracelet which Caitlin is the first girl to take home when camp ends.



She finds comfort in the bracelet and her camp memories as she experiences big changes at home from starting a new school, finding new friends and her family being in hard times.



As the unexpected and uncertainty hovers over her family, a constant in her life is the positivity and memories the bracelet holds and brings to her life for now as she enjoys knowing she has the bracelet despite chaos that ensues during the book. It was a good awareness raised for supporting food banks or shelters too and how sharing time and chats can really help people.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my daughter and enjoyed how involved all the characters were. I think I'll buy the other books so we can read together more. It's not very often a boon meant for a much younger person van be enjoyable and talk about friendship and the hard parts about growing up. Making new friends. Dealing with family issues. And I also enjoyed the letters that were added in. It reminded me a bit of other books that had letter in them. Like Daddy Long Legs. Though about a very different part of life.

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review by M.T.: "Caitlin's life isn't how she wants it to be; her dad is unemployed, her mom tries to control her every move. But, with Hannah, Mia, and Libby, her life is great. She spends the summer at a cabin with her BFFs and finds a charm bracelet. She learns that charm bracelets can't make everything better but her friends and her can try."

[Chloe C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is based on 4 different girls, from 4 different places, with 4 different lives. They are best friends, who share a charmed bracelet. In each book and every book of this series you really get to experience each girls lifestyle and the characteristics of them. I really enjoyed this series and I'm sure young reader from grade 4-6 with love it as well!

[Abby Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good book for a 8 to 9 year old girl although I loved the book it did not seem to match my reading level but I sure did love it I read like 150 pages in two days so if you need a book with a little drama but a good life lesson this is the book to go for.And I would like to read the rest of the books to.

[XangeReadsBooks]

*the review I wrote on the book when I was 10 years old*

The book hitted me hard since I have have "fake friends"/ those "not friends at all" but this made a big impact of me and I have wasted so much time to read this book! But so worth it! I love reading this!

HAHAHAHAHA THE GRAMMAR I CANT-

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book talks about true friends and finding yourself and for sticking to your true friends and self, even if they aren’t the crowd I love how this book encourages you to be yourself and teaches you what a real friendship means.

[Arabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok

[Alisa Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! I've read it about 5 times. Interesting and fun.

[izzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little book to read. It was light and fluffy, and made me itching for more. It didn’t take me a whole three months to read it, I just never picked it up. So yea, pretty good read

[Elisa Hoopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

catlin gets LUCKY!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books but this one is my favorite

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a cute and fun read.

[Judilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great storyline, but it has no backbone. Very cheesy, but I kind of can see youger chidren liking it??? All in all, it's a okay story, just not my taste.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review of books 1 and 2 in the Charmed Life series.

In Charmed Life, a new paperback series from popular middle grade author Lisa Schroeder, four girls from different backgrounds - Caitlin, Mia, Libby, and Hannah - meet at summer camp and become best friends. At summer's end, they buy a (possibly lucky) charm bracelet as a token by which to remember each other, promising to take turns keeping it throughout the year. When it is her turn, each girl will add a charm to the bracelet which represents her personality. In Caitlin's Lucky Charm, Caitlin takes the first shift with the bracelet, hoping that its luck will help her acclimate to her new school. In Mia's Golden Bird, Mia finds herself laid up with a broken foot and left out of her usual favorite activities, but is surprised when a popular child actress hires her to take photos on her birdwatching expeditions.

The refreshing thing about this series is that the characters are more than just talking heads or stock archetypes. They are fully realized kids with cultural identities, complete backstories and unique interests. The plot of each story is strongly structured, even if the overarching charm bracelet gimmick is a bit unnecessary, and the friendship theme is just perfect for the target age group. Especially enjoyable are the portrayals of different types of friendships between the main characters and their various classmates, acquaintances, and occasionally even adults. Even Mia's unlikely friendship with a celebrity comes across as perfectly believable and natural, because the author takes the time to build the relationship in a way that makes sense and engages the reader.

The Charmed Life series is most appropriate for grades 4 to 6, though the books' appeal may span a wider range. The wholesome friendship-focused storylines will appeal to girls who have enjoyed the American Girl of Today books, the Baby-sitters Club series, and the Allie Finkle series.

[Shazzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sisterhood of the Traveling Charm Bracelet...which is not necessarily a bad thing. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all. This was a charming (hehe) beginning to this middle grade series about four girls who meet at summer camp, form a friendship, then go their separate ways when camp ends. Caitlin gets the "magical" charm bracelet first, which helps her navigate the ins and outs of a new magnet school. Caitlin struggles with confidence, friend making, and pressure at home when her father's job becomes uncertain. Ms. Schroeder does a good job of taking a character who has previously been defined by her friendliness and self-assuredness into a more awkward, middle school territory, as well as dealing with the all two real concerns of a comfortable middle-class family suddenly faced with the prospects of unemployment. Having the family volunteer at a local soup kitchen gives both Caitlin's family and the reader a good sense of balance: no matter how hard things are for you, there is someone out there who needs help just as much if not more, and there is always something you can do.

So far, I like Caitlin and I like the premise. Let's see where the next volume takes us!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new middle grade series about four girls who meet at camp. At the end of camp they buy a charm bracelet that they will share. The first book describes Caitlin's first year in a new school and her quest to fit in with the popular girls. Her journey was realistic and had a good moral: Be yourself and be unique. One of my favorite parts of the book was how each chapter started with a flower and a simple little description. My favorites were Pansy - when it blooms it smiles, Daffodil - spring's best friend and Snapdragon - not as fierce as you might think. Looking forward to continuing the girl's journey and the next charm.

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was good!When I first started reading,I didn't want to put this book down.When I was finished this book,I read the 2nd book but it wasn't really good.Caitlin isn't really relatable with most people in middle school.I thought she should've put herself more out there because if you want to have friends you need to talk.When I first started reading,I didn't want to put this book down.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a lot better than expected. The story opens at the end of summer camp, when four girls find a bracelet to share (very much "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" kind of scenario). Caitlin is the one with the first turn at the bracelet, and of course, adventures ensue!

I liked that the story didn't quite go in the direction I expected. Very realistic, but still fun. I want to read more about these girls and can't wait to find a copy of the next book in the series.

[lia 🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this series as a kid and i was randomly thinking about it last night and i was thinking it would be cool if there was a spin off of the series where the girls are all adults now and they do the same bracelet letter thing but about adult issues and also maybe 2 of them end up falling in love and maybe they’d all end up having kids so they’d have their kids meet up so they could start the same tradition

[Mellina]

It's amazing

[Amber Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet series that is true to life and teaches about friendship and overcoming difficult situations.

[Jnase1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of my days of summer camp even though only the first chapter was really about summer camp. Has a good message about friendship and self esteem.