What do you think?
Rate this book
Orwell's Luck: A Heartwarming Story of a Rabbit, Friendship, and Mysterious Predictions for Children
When a wounded wild rabbit is found in the front yard, he is given a good home and a memorable name by a twelve-year-old with a liking for basketball, the trombone, and the newspaper’s daily horoscope. But Orwell is no ordinary rabbit. It soon seems that he is attempting to reward his young caretaker by mysteriously sending coded messages in the form of predictions: the final score of the Super Bowl, advance notice of a pop quiz at school, tomorrow’s winning lottery number! Can this little rabbit foretell the future? Can Orwell actually make luck happen? Here is a magical and heartwarming story about kindness, friendship, and hope in the shadow of fortune’s ever-turning wheel.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2000
5 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Richard W. Jennings
30 books47 followersRichard Jennings was born and raised in Tennessee. After attending Rhodes College, he moved to Kansas City where he co-founded a popular book store, Rainy Day Books, where his books are always in stock.
Mr. Jennings lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with his wife and family. “He has five children, four grandchildren, a dog, a cat, and a parrot” (as seen on the cover of his books).
He has written novels, short stories, essays, articles, children’s activity books, has made several professional appearances, is a literary judge, and he continues to publish new works.
Mr. Jennings lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with his wife and family. “He has five children, four grandchildren, a dog, a cat, and a parrot” (as seen on the cover of his books).
He has written novels, short stories, essays, articles, children’s activity books, has made several professional appearances, is a literary judge, and he continues to publish new works.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 18, 2009
What a quiet, quirky and poignant little book. The odd layout (one chapter flows into the next)stopped me at first but then I got so caught up in this story of a junior high age girl finding her way in this tumultuous world that I completely forgot all about that. I wasn't even troubled by the fact that none of the main characters, except for the injured rabbit nursed back to health (the Orwell of the title) is named. That in no way stopped my heart by being completely stolen by this unassuming and terrific book.
December 31, 2010
Nice story. Another one that the wife and kids enjoyed, so I read it. Worthwhile.
September 2, 2012
Author: Richard Jennings
Title: Orwell’s Luck
Description: The narrator (we never learn her name) finds a partially paralyzed rabbit on the morning paper on New Year’s morning, and determines to care for him until he is healed. This rabbit appears to have some special qualities, however. He may be communicating with her via the daily horoscopes.
Review source: ALA
Plot: Pretty cute. Will the rabbit send a message? Will the rabbit survive?
Characters: Orwell, the rabbit, is significantly the only character in the book who actually has a name. Everyone else has a role: the mom, the dad, the sister, the cat, the dog, the neighbors.
Writing style: Ostensibly narrated by a twelve year-old girl, this narrator is extremely well-spoken with a wide vocabulary. She is also thoughtful, entertaining plans at various points in the narrative to be a detective, a veterinarian, and a philosopher.
Audience: I’d estimate 5th – 9th grades. It was a one-hour read for me, and I enjoyed it.
Wrap-up: Pick it up if you enjoy clever, thoughtful YA lit, or if you have a middle-schooler who loves animals, reading, or both. 4/5*
Title: Orwell’s Luck
Description: The narrator (we never learn her name) finds a partially paralyzed rabbit on the morning paper on New Year’s morning, and determines to care for him until he is healed. This rabbit appears to have some special qualities, however. He may be communicating with her via the daily horoscopes.
Review source: ALA
Plot: Pretty cute. Will the rabbit send a message? Will the rabbit survive?
Characters: Orwell, the rabbit, is significantly the only character in the book who actually has a name. Everyone else has a role: the mom, the dad, the sister, the cat, the dog, the neighbors.
Writing style: Ostensibly narrated by a twelve year-old girl, this narrator is extremely well-spoken with a wide vocabulary. She is also thoughtful, entertaining plans at various points in the narrative to be a detective, a veterinarian, and a philosopher.
Audience: I’d estimate 5th – 9th grades. It was a one-hour read for me, and I enjoyed it.
Wrap-up: Pick it up if you enjoy clever, thoughtful YA lit, or if you have a middle-schooler who loves animals, reading, or both. 4/5*
May 24, 2014
Surprising how Jennings has assembled science, luck, and rabbits into a cohesive story that would no doubt be loved by 5th-8th graders. "Orwell's Luck" is the tale of Orwell, a wild rabbit who is hit by a mail truck and nursed back to health by the unnamed narrator, a 12-year old girl. She has a refreshingly scientific approach to life, but also approaches some larger philosophical issues, such as the nature of truth and scientific objectivity. Sadly the references to God mean that I wouldn't recommend it to public school teachers, but I think that if well-discussed with parents, "Orwell's Luck" would be a welcome addition to any middle-schooler's library.
January 5, 2008
This book is for everyone! A cute Rabbit shows up on a fall morning and he seams to not be able to move his feet. she names him Orwell. she brings him to the vet and treats him the best she can. after she brings him inside she reads her horoscope. she wakes up earliest in the family so she can read her horoscope. strage things start happening when Orwell, the rabbit of luck showed up on her door step. he stars comunacating with her from her horoscope, the weater and secret tap. I loved this book because the luck of the draw and hope is what keeps the sick bunny alive. PLEASE READ IT!
January 1, 2008
I am rereading this book now and I still love the mystery and happy ending with this over lucky Rabbit!
LOVE YOU ORWELL!
-Sophie
LOVE YOU ORWELL!
-Sophie
March 8, 2009
This is the kind of writing that is like a breath of fresh air just because of the style. and i absolutely love the puzzle this story provides. it is excellent
July 16, 2012
This was a very fun and quick read. I loved the character's and their personalities. They were so unique. This is one of those books that is written for little kids but loved by older ones too.
September 20, 2012
Utterly charming. Great book to get a reader hooked on the magic of good fiction writing. Recommended for girls and boys alike. Thought provoking and touching.
January 28, 2014
This was such a beautiful book! It gave me all the feels!
To see my full review, click here
To see my full review, click here
July 25, 2020
An easy read for a junior high-high school student who might be interested in becoming a veterinarian, as the young girl in the book finds an injured rabbit on her front lawn. She befriends him and eventually with the help of her family manages to heal the rabbit over time.
Those events - along with horoscopes, the girl's friend who is a boy [named in the book 'tousled hair boy'], and a school project involving the rabbits ESP, or possibly just extra brain power - make for light but good reading.
it is a good read, particularly if you like rabbits!
Those events - along with horoscopes, the girl's friend who is a boy [named in the book 'tousled hair boy'], and a school project involving the rabbits ESP, or possibly just extra brain power - make for light but good reading.
it is a good read, particularly if you like rabbits!
May 17, 2008
Who doesn't love a rabbit hanging out in the front yard?
December 16, 2008
it rox my sox
December 25, 2008
This book was sooooo cool!
May 31, 2012
a very sweet story about a crippled rabbit who brings luck to his young rescuer
August 26, 2014
I thought that this was a great book! Very fun to read. Some humor. A good book for 5th graders.
September 8, 2010
This is a stunning, magical book. Read it.
November 12, 2010
Loved this book - not gender specific, great for all kids & parents too.
January 25, 2020
It was a cute, well-written and quick read. I now have a new appreciation for rabbits. And French.
February 13, 2021
Delightful!
August 21, 2021
Sweet little book that has you rooting for Orwell to continue his magic.
October 9, 2021
Kindness. Hope. A lovely, gentle book.
January 28, 2022
An absolutely charming story of a young girl and a wounded rabbit. The rabbit, named Orwell, is one of the wisest rabbits ever to be the hero of a story. A wonderful tale for any age.
June 27, 2025
A short enjoyable read. Imaginative, deep, fun. Gives Petit Prince vibes.
December 9, 2023
Heartening. Wise messages of patience, resilience, and hope from wounded Orwell the Rabbit to the girl who rescued and cared for him.
April 13, 2015
Beautiful, feel-good story! The characters are the kind of people I'd like to know in real life-- caring, smart, and quirky-- and the plot captivates without any of the profanity, violence, or horror that pervade so many novels these days. Does Orwell really have magical powers? Who cares? The story is magical either way.
April 20, 2017
This was a very quick read, and it was probably written for younger kids, but for some reason, I really liked this book. There's just something about it that makes it impossible to put down and unforgettable when you're finished.
July 17, 2008
I wasn't impressed with this book. i read it quickly, as it is a young adult's book, but it just wasn't very engaging. i am going to give it to my niece, who is eleven, to see what she thinks.
September 8, 2016
Adorable book. A lot of fun. If you like quirky books with people who love animals, you will enjoy this. Realistic fiction with a dose of humor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews