The Lucky Stone

by Lucille Clifton, Dale Payson (Illustrato)

There is nothing Tee enjoys more than sitting out on the porch with her great-greatmother, listening to the fascinating stories about the lucky stone.



Shiny and black as night, it brought good fortune to each of its owners for over one hundred years. First it helped Mandy, a runaway slave, win her freedom. Then it saved Vashti from death by lightning at a prayer meeting. And it even saved Tee's great-grandmother from the ferocious dancing dog and helped her meet her husband.



Now Tee can't help wondering what the old stone has in store for her. She certainly could use some luck on Valentine's Day. But the lucky stone doesn't belong to Tee. How can her wish come true?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Lucille Clifton was an American poet, writer, and educator from New York. Common topics in her poetry include the celebration of her African American heritage, and feminist themes, with particular emphasis on the female body.

She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.

Thus began her writing career.

Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.

Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.

In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".

From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.

Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profusely and charmingly illustrated; a very short book. But rich in ideas! A prologue reveals that it's based on personal history. Reading level 4.1. A fresh edition could appeal to kids as old as 12 or so, especially reluctant readers. Some of the events might disturb sheltered 7-8 year-olds (but it could be argued that it's a good thing, as it lets modern kids know the horrors of history). Highly recommended for Black History Month and for all times.

[Laurie Channer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in elementary school, and it's still one of my favorites. Odd coincidence, when I went to St. Mary's College, Lucille Clifton, the author and poet laureate, was my english professor.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about African American girls through 3 different generations. All of them united by the hope found with a "lucky stone." Great book to introduce or talk about the history of African Americans.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting stories for a children audience, but each is extremely short to the point of not feeling like stories as much as anecdotes. I would also have liked to see some nuance brought in to the notion that men and boys are god's gift to women.

[Carrie Cantalupo-Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet children's book.

[Zolutera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming children’s story

[Tonja, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming story!

[Jasmine Montanez · Rating 4 out of 5]

i would recommend it to kids

[Sonia Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤❤❤❤