The Lucky Ones

February 15, 2022
An 11-year-old and his family struggle to maintain hope as they cope with poverty in an African American community in the Mississippi Delta during the 1960s. Ellis Earl Brown lives with his family of 11 in Wilsonville, Mississippi. His father died in an accident, and although his mother has difficulty providing enough food, sometimes they make room for others in need. His teacher, Mr. Foster, brings lunch for his students as well as offering rides to and from school. School is the place where Ellis Earl is happy. He finds solace in the new book he borrowed from Mr. Foster. His teacher uses Jet magazine to teach the class important things about the larger world that Black kids need to know. Ellis Earl wants to be just like him someday--or perhaps a lawyer like Thurgood Marshall. The family's fortunes take a turn for the better after Mr. Foster invites Ellis Earl to participate in the Easter program at his church and includes him in a group welcoming Sen. Robert Kennedy to the area. Jackson draws on her personal history to show real people behind Kennedy's historic visit, which bolstered support for essential social programs. She successfully presents individuals who, despite grinding poverty, nurtured hopes and dreams, and she highlights those like Mr. Foster and his church community who shared what they had with those in need. Rich in detail; offers readers immediacy and connection. (author's notes) (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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April 25, 2022
Ellis Earl Brown, a Black 11-year-old living in 1960s Wilsonville, Miss., dreams of becoming a teacher or a lawyer, “or I can be both at the same time.” Though his house has a leaking, rusty tin roof, and his overworked mother spreads herself thin caring for his siblings and various extended family members, they make do with what they have and live a life filled with love. When confronted with the possibility that he might be pulled out of school to help make ends meet, though, Ellis Earl worries that his aspirations are forfeit. Then a kind teacher, Mr. Foster, lends him a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Ellis Earl finds comfort in the pages, seeing himself in Charlie’s situation and looking toward a better tomorrow. Ellis Earl, Mr. Foster, the Brown brood, and their predominantly Black community are astutely characterized, imbued with eclectic and lovable personalities. Jackson (A Sky Full of Stars) delivers a touching novel that resonates today, centering the crucial impact of community on one family’s financial precarity. Ages 8–12. Agent: Elizabeth Bewley, Sterling Lord Literistic.

May 1, 2022

Gr 3-6-In Mississippi, 1967, 11-year-old Ellis Earl Brown wants to make something of himself and be somebody-but that feels hard to do when there's not enough food in the house for his many siblings, nieces, and nephews. Even though he loves school and his lessons with Mr. Foster, he worries he may have to quit and find work like his older siblings. Ellis Earl loves being in class where he can eat the delicious lunches Mr. Foster brings for him and his classmates, many of whom are in similar living situations. Mr. Foster gifts Ellis Earl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which he reads to his family and they enjoy. Being in Mr. Foster's class grants Ellis Earl many great opportunities, but there are sad moments, too. Unfortunately, on a chaperoned group trip, Ellis Earl and his classmates experience racism and hear racial slurs. Ellis Earl is a realistically flawed kid with moments of selfishness, jealousy, and tantrums. He's not always likable, especially when he corrects his siblings and tells them to speak "proper" English, although he does learn from his mistakes. The novel draws parallels between itself and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, also about a poor boy whose dream comes true. Much like Roald Dahl's novel, The Lucky Ones' resolutions may appear convenient and anticlimactic to some, but satisfying to others. VERDICT This historical fiction novel about family and friendship may be hit or miss for middle grade readers.-Myiesha Speight

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Starred review from March 15, 2022
Grades 4-8 *Starred Review* The odds are stacked against Ellis Earl Brown. He is a poor Black child growing up in the Mississippi Delta in the 1960s, but he dreams of becoming a teacher or a lawyer like Thurgood Marshall or Marian Wright Edelman. As one of the two children that his family can afford to send to school, Ellis Earl makes certain not to squander his opportunity. His teacher, Mr. Foster, cultivates Ellis Earl's tenacity and talent by giving him books to share with his family. In one of these books, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Ellis Earl sees a struggling family live happily ever, which gives him hope for his own family's future. As a special honor, Mr. Foster invites Ellis Earl to be part of a welcoming party for Senator Robert Kennedy, who is embarking on a historic tour of the Mississippi Delta. But Ellis Earl's dreams may have to be put on hold if his mom and older brothers can't find regular work, as the boy would be forced to quit school. Drawing from her own childhood experiences, Jackson (Midnight without a Moon, 2017) creates a compelling story about racism, poverty, and the power of community to help lift people up. This title is an excellent recommendation for any young reader looking for new books about the civil rights era.

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