The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Summary:

“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.” (Taken from the publisher’s website)

Review:

After being homeschooled for many years following a lightning strike that gave Lucy genius-level math skills, her grandmother sends her to middle school. Lucy would much rather spend her days solving complex math equations online. But now she’s got to navigate the tricky halls of middle school.

I can’t imagine having the math skills Lucy has, but I did survive middle school and Stacy McAnulty portrays an accurate description of what middle school can be like. With new friendships, bullies, kind teachers, group projects and the dreaded lunchroom, middle school can feel as confusing as your out of control hormones.

Although Lucy excels at math, she hasn’t had a friend her own age for years and learning to navigate the social aspects of middle school prove to be difficult, and yet in the end, rewarding. Stacy McAnulty does a wonderful job of creating relationships among characters. I loved Lucy and her nana’s relationship – no frills, just facts and lots of love. As the story progresses Lucy becomes friends with kids in her class and each of these relationships deepen throughout the story and are as unique as the characters.

Lucy learns that middle school is so much more than 7th grade math, group projects and mean girls. It’s about finding your place, standing up for yourself and your friends and learning in unexpected ways and places.

Final Thoughts:

In The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, Lucy can solve just about any math equation, but can she find the answer to surviving middle school?

Important Info:

Title: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Author: Stacy McAnulty
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Page Number: 294 pgs.