Good Luck, Ronald Morgan

Ronald Morgan #7

by Patricia Reilly Giff, Susanna Natti (Illustrations)

Training his dog, Lucky, during a boring summer, Ronald hopes that his new neighbor will be a boy his age and a fellow dog lover, and he is disgusted when the neighbor turns out to be a girl who loves cats. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was an American author and educator whose warm, emotionally resonant books made her a beloved figure in children's literature. After spending roughly two decades as a teacher, she turned to writing and brought a deep understanding of young readers to stories that balanced humor, resilience, and emotional truth. Educated at Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, and Hofstra University, she drew on both her classroom experience and literary instincts to create memorable fiction for children and middle-grade readers. She became especially well known for the popular Polk Street School series, which captured the everyday dramas of school life with charm and empathy. Beyond those books, she wrote acclaimed novels such as Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Eleven, and Genevieve's War, often exploring themes of belonging, family, hardship, and courage. Her work earned wide recognition, including Newbery Honors, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, and a Christopher Award. Giff also influenced younger writers through her workshops and teaching spirit. Throughout her career, she remained a compassionate literary voice whose stories spoke directly to children's fears, hopes, and imaginations.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars -- I am really disappointed by this last of the Ronald Morgan series. This installment finds Ronald attempting to train Lucky, the dog he got for his birthday. As he begins, a girl - Kelly - and her cat move in next door. Between the dog and the cat, chaos ensues. Much of this story is told in vignettes, and really, no training occurs. The plot is further complicated when Michael, Ronald's best friend, returns from a lake trip and brings his dog over. Because no training happens at all, the story sort of lives up to its title -- Good luck, Ronald Morgan! You're going to need it! I do like the animals and illustrations, but I sort of just feel that there is not much of a point to this story, sadly enough.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old liked this. A new kid moves in with her cat Every time Ronald tries to make friends she is trying to get her cat.

[Heather Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute children's book. Its good for a child who can relate to trying to make new friends with animals that are not trained and learning to take care of them.