It’s not hard to see why Sheila Turnage’s Three Times Lucky won a Newbery Honor for 2013! The story is quirky and unique, and Mo’s voice throughout it is fun and engaging. While the mystery that makes up the novel’s plot is intriguing, it was the larger-than-life characters in Three Times Lucky that really made the book for me. Although Tupelo Landing, NC, may not be quite like the small towns you’ve encountered, the chance to spend a little time there unraveling mysteries and getting to know well-written characters is a delightful one. While there were a few times that the story lagged for me, and I (as an adult) didn’t have too much trouble figuring out the “bad guy” fairly early on in the story, Three Times Lucky was an enjoyable read and certainly one I’d recommend to both kids and adults who like a quirky mystery.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 8 religious exclamations.

Violence/Gore: On two occasions, a character mentions that a man has been murdered. A murder investigation makes up a central part of the plot, but there is never any real description given. An adult is kidnapped. A character finds bloodstains on furniture. References are made to domestic violence, and one scene deals with domestic violence. Characters (both adults and children) are threatened with guns on a few occasions.

Sex/Nudity: A girl has a crush on a boy.

Mature Subject Matter:

Orphans, murder, domestic abuse

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adults drink alcohol and one character is an alcoholic.