Lucky Strikes

I Highly Recommend this book. A story about how the lives of three orphaned children and a drunken hobo came together to save each other. Melia Hoyle is a 14 year-year-old girl left in charge of a home, a gas station and her two younger siblings after her mother passes away. Sad, yes. Do they have a ton of adversities to overcome? Yes. But author Louis Bayard’s main character, Melia has strength, tenacity, is a quick thinker and although uneducated, she seemingly has enough life-lessons learned to handle what she must to keep the three of them together. So, when a drunken Hiram Watts is practically dropped at her feet, she knows immediately what to do. The author gives Melia (the narrator) a voice you will simply adore and perfect for her character. I love the simplicity and humor in her thoughts. This is a story that will stay with you long after you close the book. Mr. Bayard does an amazing job with all of the characters in this story. He has a way of describing things that will make you feel like you are living in it. Excellent!

I'm a big fan of Louis Bayard, but wasn't sure if I would like a Y/A oriented book. I am so glad I took a chance! It was a wonderful story and, as usual, his characters were very real to me. Bayard writes in a much different voice here, although I think that's true with most of his novels, and once again he captures the time frame and characters perfectly. I'm not going to recap the story, as other reviewers have already done a fine job of that, but if you are wondering if this is a book that adults would enjoy - yes, it most definitely is!! I anxiously await Mr. Bayard's next book, no matter which audience he writes it for.

If I could hire a skywriter and have it written across the clouds urging folks to buy this book, I swear I would do it. For the life of me I can't understand how a book this marvelous has remained under the radar. Like so many of you, I'm a fanatical reader, and I can say without a doubt that nothing you'll read that's listed on the New YorK Times Bestseller List will even come close to this book. Bayard has captured the voice of this brave young girl perfectly. Through her courage and downright pluckiness, Amelia is an inspiration for all of us. Congrats to you, Louis Bayard; you're a supremely talented writer. I will buy anything and everything you write.

I picked up this middle grade/YA novel because I love how Louis Bayard creates a world and populates it with characters who live and breathe. I love how he invites the reader in for a visit. And wow, what a world. For young readers ready to move on to more emotionally rich fiction, this book provides a safe place for their transition to more complex novels. As an adult reader, I laughed out loud, then fought back a tear or two. A stunning delight of a story that explores the meaning of family and of fight and how we turn into the people we are, told with wit and spunk.

Sometimes reading a novel meant for upper elementary/jr. high kids can take me back to what it was like to read when I was young: when reading meant getting swept up in a story because you cared so much about the characters. This novel, like many classics for that age provide both entertainment and sustenance. Reading it gave me a wonderful shot of encouragement, (the character's pluck and grit is contageous) as well as hope. I'll be buying one for my 82 year old mother, and reading it to my 10 year old son. Wonderful work.

I did not see that the classification for this book was "Young Adult". I didn't realize it until I had finished it! The characters, the local color of the small community in which they live ~ SO much good to say about this book. I have read many other Y.A.books by this author, as a collector of children's literature and that ALL shine!

Lucky Strikes has been my favourite read of the summer. I love this book. I love Melia. I love her family, the people in her life who give her strength, and her piss-on-em outlook on life. Gutsy with a capital G. And yes, I now love Louis Bayard for his craftsmanship wordsmithing and punch'em in the heart narrative power.Gee, I wish I could write like that.DrL

This a gripping heart felt story. It's told differently and I absolutely loved it!