Lucky Girl

April 1, 2021

Gr 8 Up-Jane might just be the luckiest girl alive. At least, that is what people might assume after a throwaway dollar turns into the sole winning ticket for a $58,643,129 lottery jackpot. But things are never so simple. Jane technically bought the ticket when she was a minor, which means she needs to get an adult to claim the money for her. She could give it to her mom, but ever since her dad died, her mom has started collecting other people's junk. Jane's ex-boyfriend is legally an adult, and he seems to want to get back together-maybe he is an option? Meanwhile, Jane has to keep everything top secret because her best friend Bran is determined to figure out who in their small town had their life changed by a lucky ticket. Jane is a relatable protagonist and the reasons for her drawn-out decisions are logical (if sometimes frustrating). Her relationship with Bran holds the book together while also centering a strong platonic friendship across genders. Pacton falters a little in her handling of Jane's mother's mental health-Jane struggles to talk to her mom for so long that it feels unlikely that one conversation would push them so far down a healing path. Jane is white and bisexual and Bran is Korean. VERDICT A sweet, thoughtful, and quick romp, perfect for readers wanting some laughs while also looking for answers to some of life's biggest questions about love, death, self-worth, and, of course, money.-Annamarie Carlson, Westerville P.L., OH

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2021
Grades 9-12 The unfortunately named Fortuna Jane Belleweather, who'd much rather be called Jane, is about to be a multi-millionaire--maybe. Right before geometry class, she finds out that the lottery ticket she bought has the winning numbers. But there's one problem (or maybe three): she's not 18, so she can't claim the prize. Her mom, still mourning her dad's death, is irresponsible when it comes to money, so who knows where the 58 million dollars would go. And Jane's best friend, Brandon, who dreams of making it big on CNN, wants to dig up the lotto winner and break the story. Complicating matters further is Jane's ex-boyfriend Holden, who's recently become an expert on finance thanks to his Future Investors of America club. Holden's making Jane nervous on many levels, not least because their romance, which she once thought was doomed, seems to be showing signs of life. This contemporary novel remains wonderfully true to its world and its characters throughout. Recommend to fans of Jennifer E. Smith's Windfall (2017).

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Financial fortune isn't always fun. Seventeen-year-old Fortuna Jane Belleweather just won the lottery: specifically, a $58 million jackpot. Bewildered would be an understatement. Her mother's been playing the lotto religiously for five years--one of the many habits she picked up in her grief over losing Jane's dad. Jane just purchased a ticket on a whim. Two weeks shy of turning 18, she'll need to convince a trusted adult to claim the winnings or be guilty of a criminal misdemeanor. Her hoarder mother is not an option; neither is her nonmaterialistic hippie grandma. Unfortunately, Brandon Kim, her best friend, is also 17--and he's determined to figure out who the lucky winner in their small Wisconsin town is. Could her jerk of an ex-boyfriend be the answer? Not if she can avoid it. Excerpts from Jane's journal, The Big Book of Lotto Winner Fails, document unlucky winners' experiences and offer insights into her inner thoughts. Media clips and social media posts, like the Lakesboro Community Facebook group and Bran's Instagram, show the growing buzz and obsession in town. Pacton captures her protagonist's anxiety and the deliberation with which she approaches her dilemma. A fast last act ties up the various threads but leaves some emotional arcs underexplored. But readers will find in Bran and Jane's dynamics a welcomingly strong, supportive friendship. Jane is White and bisexual; most characters are White, and Bran is Korean American. An enjoyable story of family, friends, and failed first love. (Fiction. 14-18)

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