The Bookworm says... Yes! Just My Luck by Cammie McGovern is an uplifting story about having a family member with a disability. The summer before fourth grade, Benny's best friend moves away. He's trying to find a replacement, but it's to no avail. Another thing Benny can't succeed at- bike riding. His older brother, George, who has autism, can ride a bike better than he can. While Benny's dad is trying to help him learn to ride, an accident happens and days later, Mr. Barrows is in the hospital. Benny is trying to follow his mother's advice: be kind to everyone, especially when you are experiencing a hard time. But with his dad in the hospital, possibly because of him, this is easier said than done for Benny.
I really enjoyed Just My Luck! I had previously read Cammie McGovern's Say What You Will, and though the stories have a similar baseline, I don't think that they can be compared to each other. I am very glad I didn't form my opinion of Just My Luck based on Say What You Will, because I do not think I would have liked it as much as I did. Benny is a prime example of what it feels like to be the sibling of a child with a disability, especially being the sibling that knows best how to respond to their quirks. A household struck by chaos has never been depicted so truly- if you are struggling to understand how to prevail in a time of chaos, or if you are trying to understand what it's like to love someone with a disability- READ THIS
"Everyone has bad days. You have to make the good ones."
DISCLAIMER: This review is based off of an uncorrected proof. Tentative on-sale date is February 23, 2016.