Malou has just turned sixteen—hardly old enough to be out in the world on her own—and all she knows for sure is that she’s of mixed race and that she was left at an orphanage as a newborn. When the orphanage burns to the ground, she finds out that she may have been born in a small town in Ontario’s cottage country. Much to her surprise, Parry Sound turns out to have quite a few young brown faces, but Malou can’t believe they might be related to her. After she finds work as a cleaner in the local hospital, an Aboriginal boy named Jimmy helps her find answers to her questions about her parents. The answers are as stunning—and life-changing—as anything Malou could have imagined back at the orphanage.
Part of the SECRETS—a series of seven linked novels that can be read in any order.
Part of the SECRETS—a series of seven linked novels that can be read in any order.
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens | 2016 | Commended
Download the A Big Dose of Lucky Audio Sample.
"Stunning in its ability to captivate readers. The short titled scenes make for a quick read, adding wit and suspense to an otherwise classic coming-of-age story. Malou has a clear, clever, and strong voice, with believable emotions that hit the heart. This is an underdog story with a likable and relatable protagonist. It does not delve deep into subplots or secondary characters, but there are allusions to heartache, mental illness, domestic issues, racism, and prejudice. It is a fascinating story with a bit of Three Times Lucky (Dial, 2012/VOYA August 2012) charm."