These Unlucky Stars

Annie lives with her dad and brother Ray in the small town of Oak Branch. Her mother told Annie she was born under unlucky stars and then left when Annie was only four. She misses her mother inconsolably and can’t get past her bad luck. She doesn’t have any friends and is only happy when she is sitting on the roof drawing her beautiful mountains. Annie is dared one day to play dong-dong-ditch, and when she is ready to ring the bell, a scary dog started barking, and an old woman in the house falls and calls for help. It is all unlucky Annie’s fault. She calls her father and they take the woman, Gloria, to the hospital. Annie goes every day to Gloria’s house to take care of the dog and help Gloria as she heals. But maybe Gloria isn’t the only one healing.

Gillian McDunn has written a sweet story middle-grade readers will relate to. The characters are well-rounded, interesting, and very real. The dialogue is pitch-perfect for the middle-grade set, and the writing is excellent. The story is compelling and the family dynamics will speak to young people.