Lucky

by Chris Hill

When lost red squirrel Lucky finds himself in Albion Park, the native squirrels all around him are bigger, tougher, and much more... grey. He needs all the luck he can find to fit in, and even more to pass the Squirrel Trial that will give him a permanent place in the park. But when Lucky discovers a plot that threatens their home, he'll need more than just good fortune on his side…

Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Nature, Novels

Audible Audio

First published September 4, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

LUCKY by Chris Hill is an animal adventure that tells the story of feuding squirrel clans.

Lucky is a small, red squirrel who has been adopted by a band of gray squirrels. He quickly learns that he must develop some new skills in order to fit in and to survive in Albion Park. Along the way, he meets a cast of interesting characters including dogs, a fox, and a rival group of gray squirrels.

The author’s note provides information about the history of gray and red squirrels in the UK.

Librarians will find that this book appeals to middle grade animals lovers. Fans of the Warriors series and classics like Watership Down, The Wind in the Willows, and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMN will immediately be drawn to the characters. It’s also a good choice for readers who enjoyed the Elliot’s Park books and are ready for something a little longer.

Published by Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start off with, I cannot remember a book starring a squirrel solely or squirrels as the main character in so long. It's a breath of fresh air much needed among the normal books.

Lucky is a far more interesting book once you get past the first ten pages which can be a bit daunting. It's not near as well paced in the first chapter, a measly ten pages which feels like a loosely gripped manner of setting the stage for the rest of the book, but the characters in chapter one are not the characters for the rest of the book. As soon as chapter two starts everything is jump-started to a new depth and the characters don't feel as stiff or stilted. They are alive, full of personality and charm.

I saw many comparisons to Warriors for this book, and I gotta say Lucky beats Warriors in the first book and maybe more. There's no incest or weird underaged scenarios here, no real kidnap of young to make into soldiers forcefully. Lucky's got all the fang and claw of Warrior books without the stuff that made me never want to touch them, or Foxcraft again.

The book ends in a way leaving plenty of opening for another book, while wrapping it up all the same. Regardless, with the opening to a follow up book. especially on the topic of red squirrels versus grey ones, I hope it comes one day, but it's been five years and no second book so I suppose the ride ends here. I can only hope more books about animals with fighting, blood, strong characters, death, and such come along and fill our lives.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggling to fit in even when you're adopted by a different squirrel clan, Lucky doesn't hope to be lucky, he works to be. Because he's a misfit, he finds himself friends with another misfit, as he trains to protect his squirrel territory. He doesn't know the word "quit" when danger, disaster, and demise surrounds him. He truly keeps going when no hope is possible. But also knows loyalty to friends that help him.
A combination of friends and foes are needed to make things work out. The plot twists and turns as it weaves between the many characters that join at the end for a satisfied ending.

Boys enjoyed it.

[Tilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of Nuts to You.

[HopeAnneFrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very in depth and gave you a new perspective on squirrels. The southern was very talented and her story reminded me of Warriors. Overall this book was pretty good.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I discovered this book when I was roaming around the library looking at the selection that seems to house the books of my youth. As a result of that and the fact it was about squirrels I chose to read it to see what this particular story could be about.

Lucky is a weird combination story as it reads as a book for more juvenile readers yet has the more graphic nature that one would find in slightly older books such as gruesome battle scenes. At the same time it contains elements that will remind readers of the The Legend of Drizzt combined with a romance-less version of Romeo & Juliet while cast by a generous collection of animals including the mainstay squirrels, a fox kit and policing dogs all of whom can talk.

Here the reader will find a red squirrel plucked from his drey by a hungry hawk but rescued at the last moment only to make him a lone member of his kind in the middle of more than likely an English city. Fortunately he is taken in by a matriarchal group of squirrels whose feud with a scrappier patriarchal group to the north has led them to raise all the males as Spartan-like warriors to defend their strip. So what else can go wrong when you are smaller, weaker and more than likely not considered to survive the Academy even if your mother is the adopted First Daughter?

The story for the most part was fast-paced and did keep my attention while I could see myself probably enjoying it a lot more when I was younger. There was some further information included in the back about squirrels in England, which is why I deducted this book happens in an English city.

For those who enjoy animal characters, underdog stories and stories of a coming of age they will definitely find this one is full of adventures that make it a bit hard to put down.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll begin by saying that the thought that went into this book (e.g. creating the clans and giving the clan members distinct personalities) is admirable. I was able to get my hands on an advance reader's edition copy of this book, and I read the entire thing aloud to my partner. The characters in this book fall nicely into tried-and-true tropes, and this doesn't hurt the story. I will say that having read the Redwall series at a very young age, perhaps I dove in with hopes too high about the writing style vs. the target audience. Young children will enjoy this book. Reading it as an adult, however, faced me with a dilemma of wanting for variances in detail; a lot of the same phrases, adjectives, adverbs, etc. are used over and over again, illustrating the same scenes again and again. It got drole quickly. I'd often have to pause and re-word how I read a sentence a few times over, and my boyfriend would still make a weird face at me even if I'd gotten through it successfully. (I'm not saying I'm the perfect reader, but we couldn't argue against some of the syntax in the book feeling awkward.) That being said, my boyfriend enjoyed the read more than I did. This would likely be ideal to read aloud to kids (especially if you're a librarian or an elementary school English teacher), just make sure you don't let any frustration with the writing style affect how they perceive the novel.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the tradition of the well-loved Redwall series, this chapter book follows the adventures of Lucky, a red squirrel who finds himself in unfamiliar terrain in Albion Park where the squirrels are gray and very large. But Lucky is pretty fortunate since First Daughter befriends him, and he eventually becomes friends with another athletic squirrel called Nimlet. Even among the squirrels, there is plenty of intrigue and political posturing, and Lucky becomes caught up in it. As the Northender squirrels threaten the Cloudfoots, Lucky and Nimlet rise to the occasion and behave courageously. I love how there are so many different character types reminiscent of humans in this story, which has villains, a slightly-ditsy heroine who ends up saving the day, and betrayal from unexpected sources. The antics of the dogs and the fox who live in the neighborhood add humor to his story, perfect for late elementary or early intermediate readers. I hope there will be more books following the Cloudfoots.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories where animals are portrayed as human-like characters don't normally appeal to me, so I was skeptical when I picked this book up. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was pulled in to the plot. Lucky is a red squirrel who awakes from an injury to find he is now living with a gray squirrel colony. He doesn't remember his past and is wary of his new "family". Soon he is thrust into contests of courage and must prove himself to be both loyal to new friends and worthy to stay in his new home. There are adventures, intrigue, peril and even some wonderfully written police dogs. At the back of the book, Hill includes some interesting facts about gray and red squirrels. I highly recommend this book to even skeptics like me.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An orphaned squirrel is adopted into a clan called Cloudfoot. He, along with friends and help from his adoptive mother, tries to fit in and pass the test to become one of the Watch and Patrol. But Lucky is smaller and slower and weaker than the other males and he struggles to pass the grueling test. His chance to fit in comes when treacherous squirrels from across the avenue attack the Cloudfoot clan. Lucky and his friends will have to strategize and think quickly to keep the invaders from overthrowing their home.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book with my son. Yes, he understands this is not a non-fiction book about squirrel behavior. Interesting characters, plot twists, lessons for how to stand up for yourself when you just don't fit in.

[rammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique animal tale successfully builds a world of squirrel clans that are small but mighty. The text engages the reader by explaining the squirrels’ world without providing overwhelming details and by creating interesting and entertaining characters. The introduction of the dogs, Finlay and Eric, and Amber the fox helps add another dimension to the animal world. The task of completing the Trial gives the book a purpose and moves the plot forward. Positive themes include a strong female main character and the acceptance of Lucky, who doesn't look like his clan but makes his own way to success. A variety of readers will enjoy Lucky’s story, especially children in grades 4-6 who enjoy books with animal characters, including fans of the Warriors series.