Name: Raven K's review of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
Item: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Rating: 4
Author: Raven K

Stacy McAnulty

A lightning strike gave her a super power...but even a super genius can't solve the problem of middle school. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens. Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school! Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation? A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different. AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR "An engaging story, full of heart and hope. Readers of all ages will root for Lucy, aka Lightning Girl. No miscalculations here!" --Kate Beasley, author of Gertie's Leap to Greatness

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Christina 

Raven K

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

My daughter, 17, and son, 12, and I listened to this on our commute to school each day, and enjoyed the narration by Ana Isabel so much. She has a wonderfully youthful, vibrant voice, perfect for 12-year-old Lucy who can solve any math problem but cannot figure out how to solve the people-puzzles in her life. Isabel's youthful voice happily reciting all the digits of Pi was particularly memorable. I think I laughed, worried, and cried in equal measure during the listening, the practically perfect middle grade story that has a premise, a little girl who is struck by lightning and becomes a mathematical genius, that kept me and my kids riveted. 

Highly recommended for ages 8+.

Nadine 

Sweet story of a mathematical genius teen having to go to MS, find friends, deal with her own quirks and those of others

Elizabeth Garza

Once upon a time, I was bored and scrolling through Libby for something to read because the 20 books on my window sill were simply not appealing to me at the mo'. So, I went with this book because I had been hearing about left and right at work, and knew it was a nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award for 2019-2020. Whelp. If I could figure out how to add an image to this review I would insert a meme that conveys my feelings so much better than words can right now, but here I go! 

This book was so good! The writing was age-appropriate for middle schoolers, but not super childish so an adult would enjoy it too (hrrm, hrrm, I am an adult). Lucy, our math girl genius, has OCD and a love of numbers and math. But Grams thinks she needs to work on her "people skills" (highly overrated in my humble opinion), so decides Lucy is going to middle school. Nevermind she's basically ready to start freshman year at MIT. So, to middle school she goes, surrounded by all those germy (blegh) 12-13 year olds, with 'ttude, and just general meanness that kids are capable of when they "begin to flower" (aka hit puberty). 

And of course, she makes a couple of friends, but she still struggles with not wanting to stand out but still doing things that make her happy. But the main focus of the book, I think, is friendship and how it can bring many good experiences and help us grow as people. I highly recommend for kids and adults alike.

Jeni Enjaian

I loved this book. I loved the realness of Lucy, her math genius and everything that came along with it. Once again I grew frustrated with the adults in the education system, at least how McAnulty portrayed them. Some of this frustration comes from the fact that many teachers respond without understanding and it comes across as insincere and hurtful to the student. That's true. I'm frustrated because it's true. Another part of the frustration comes with authors not understanding how the school system works. At one point Lucy earns an Incomplete from her math teacher. He explains this as being concerned that Lucy hasn't done some of her homework but with the unspoken idea that this is supposed to convey that he's noticed that something's going on with Lucy. First, you can't put an Incomplete on a report card. Maybe in the past but certainly not now. Second, a few missing homework assignments would not make the entire grade "Incomplete." *facepalm*
Even with the above qualm, I really loved this book. McAnulty got into Lucy's head and made her lightning induced brain damage a real thing, made it human so that more can understand.

Christina &
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty