Purchased for my middle grade school library. A sweet, charming story about how everyone makes his or her own luck

What is most compelling about this book is that it feels real. Erlbaum has created believable characters and had placed them in a New York City that feels more real than the city has been portrayed in other middle grade novels. Emma is sassy and her predicament kept me turning pages in order to see how her lucky streak would play out. Ultimately, the book's message of how we make our own luck is depicted in a way that was not too pedantic.

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. There’s a saying that luck is believing you’re lucky. This story illustrates that belief very well.
Emma Macintyre is a typical eighth grader dealing with the ups and downs of friend drama, school stress, and the heartbreaking loss of a dear family friend. When she receives a mysterious letter that tells her that her luck is about to change, with an enclosed $20 bill to start the upswing in her fortune, she’s not sure what to make of it. The letter tells her to list ten things she would like to have happen in the next thirty days and then watch as things start happening for her. The letter also tells her that she can’t tell anyone about it.
As the month passes, Emma rides a roller coaster of fortune with lots of dramatic ups and downs. Middle grade readers will definitely be able to relate to many of the important issues addressed in this book: bullying, cyberbullying, technology, and family tension. This book is written with a pretty authentic voice – although grown-up me bristles a bit when she’s a bit mouthy with her mother. The book also explores the topic of luck and superstition, which gives young readers something to think about. The book employs a bit of rough language and some situations that might be best for older middle school students, maybe seventh or eighth grade.

A book with a great message that everyone of all ages could benefit from! Definitely a quick read! Loved the relationships in this book.

I absolutely loved this book! Life is not made up of luck. Sometimes we get lucky, but it's really about our,perspective.
Our main character, Emma, gets a letter saying her luck is going to change and it does in some instances. She realizes that she doesn't necessarily want what she had first wished for. After her friend Savvy gets in trouble and then she can help someone else not fall into the same fate but losses some things she had worked for, she realizes life and luck are what you make them. Such a wonderful middle grade read!

I surprised myself with how much I liked this book. Emma gets a note shoved under her door with $20 telling her to have a lucky month. It's anonymous, but I think we all know who it's from since her Aunt Jenny just died. Aunt Jenny was her mom's best friend who helped to raise her, even though they weren't technically related. I loved that detail in the book, as well as the fact that the lucky month was a nice outline for the book and gave Emma something to think about but it didn't overwhelm the story. Emma just kept living her life and reevaluating what it means to be lucky. Most of the twists and turns are predictable, although there is one part where Emma's best friend Savvy winds up with a topless photo of her all over school which I did not see coming.

This book is set very well in 8th grade, covering topics of childhood and of adolescence all at once. It's got real heart.

So much more than I thought it was going to be, glad I read it. It will be an easy hand sell for the tween group who probably know people similar to the kids in this story..