The Luckiest Girl

by Beverly Cleary

Book Overview

A classic coming-of-age love story from beloved Newbery Medal winner Beverly Cleary.

Sixteen-year-old Shelley Latham longs for her junior year of high school to be different from the stifling sameness of the years before. When she is sent from Oregon to California to stay with friends of the family for the school year, she gets her wish.

Right away, Shelley's pretty looks and "Northern" ways endear her to her new classmates,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380728060
• ISBN13: 9780380728060
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A wonderful first romance story...

Like many teenagers, Shelley Latham thinks her life is boring. An only child, with loving parents, she finds herself sick of Oregon winters, sick of the predictability of her boyfriend Jack, who could only be described as "nice." Then, a longtime friend of Shelley's mother invites the girl to spend the school year with them in California. Shelley is thrilled - not only will she get to experience all new things, but she'll get to experience them on her own. Finally, she thinks, she'll get to live like an adult and not the sheltered child her parents think she is. While many things in California are indeed wonderful, Shelley discovers that life with the Michie family - much more laidback than her own - takes some getting used to. She also learns that there's something to be said for old friends and familiar routines, when she's thrust among a sea of unfamiliar new classmates. But within a short time, Shelley begins to adjust. She finds new friends, a new boyfriend, and even enjoys her place as older sister in the Michie's family. With every new step, there's something for Shelley to learn...

I am a Cornwall 6th Grader Who loved this book!

In the Book The Luckiest Girl,16 year old Shelly has had it! Her mother knew she wanted a yellow slicker but, NO, she had to go and buy her the pink slicker with the matching hat. Shelly only wanted a slicker, but what she got was the trip of a lifetime! Shelly Lafthem decides to spend the school year in Sunny Sabastion, California. She stays at her mom's friends house with the family. Shelly feels free without her parents and is enjoying life. Life even gets better when she dates the Sabastian's All_star basketball player: Phillip. Everything is going smoothly until Shelly gets a D in Biology and Phillip fails! Shelly finally realizes that she only likes Phillip because of his looks. She finds that her true love is someone who had always been there whenever she needed someone to talk to. Her time in Sabastion is almost up, so she takes in every precious moment she has left and dreads the day that she is to leave. I thought that this book was one of the best books I've ever read. Beaverly Clearly writes in a different way than in her RAMONA books. The story made me cry and laugh and even made me feel jealous of Shelly. Many girls would die to go on an adventure like this, I know I would! I would reccommend this book to any girl nine years old or older. I think even some moms might like it too! Shelly Latham is truly, The Luckiest Girl!

I LOVED IT!

I adored this charming book! relates alot to teen/ preteen girls. It shows what things are to come in the teen years, i loved it! STRONGLY RECCOMENDED! No sexual scenes NOT EVEN KISSING! No violence or anything! I LOVE Beverly Cleary's books and i feel this one is her best to date! ;) Sincerley, Amanda [14 years old]

The Luckiest Girl

I really loved this book! This was a great book to read as an eleven year old because it talks about when you are thirteen and sixteen.I would tell anyone about this book and to read it. From ages 10-16. This is also a great book for parents to reflect on because it talks about parents too, so don't feel left out. If you like books of realistic fiction and of a girl's life at home then read this book!!! It is excellent. It is such a great book to understand because it is like today and what a girl's life really is about. I hope that you take my advice and read this wonderful book by Beverly Cleary. Enjoy!!!

Fun reading

Hi, I'm Anna and I'm going into 7th grade. This book was really good, it's reallistic, and it's enjoyable to read because it was written in the late '50s and there are words like "swell" in it, so that's really cool about it. I read Fifteen, and all the Ramona books [when I was younger, but I still love 'em] and I plan to read Jean and Johhny and Sister of the Bride! Read these books,I'm sure they're ALL great!