The Lucky Ones

Gr 3-6–In Mississippi, 1967, 11-year-old Ellis Earl Brown wants to make something of himself and be somebody—but that feels hard to do when there’s not enough food in the house for his many siblings, nieces, and nephews. Even though he loves school and his lessons with Mr. Foster, he worries he may have to quit and find work like his older siblings. Ellis Earl loves being in class where he can eat the delicious lunches Mr. Foster brings for him and his classmates, many of whom are in similar living situations. Mr. Foster gifts Ellis Earl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which he reads to his family and they enjoy. Being in Mr. Foster’s class grants Ellis Earl many great opportunities, but there are sad moments, too. Unfortunately, on a chaperoned group trip, Ellis Earl and his classmates experience racism and hear racial slurs. Ellis Earl is a realistically flawed kid with moments of selfishness, jealousy, and tantrums. He’s not always likable, especially when he corrects his siblings and tells them to speak “proper” English, although he does learn from his mistakes. The novel draws parallels between itself and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, also about a poor boy whose dream comes true. Much like Roald Dahl’s novel, The Lucky Ones’ resolutions may appear convenient and anticlimactic to some, but satisfying to others.