The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Author Stacy McAnulty

Grades 3-7 Ages 8-12

A lightning strike gave her a super power...but even a super genius can't solve the problem of middle school. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens.

Lucy Callahan's life was changed forever when she was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but the zap gave her genius-level math skills, and she's been homeschooled ever since. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school!

Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?

A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different.

"Fresh story, great characters, a winner!" --Barbara O'Connor, author of Wish

Available Formats

Trade Paperback 9781524767600
Hardcover 9781524767570
eBook 9781524767594
Unabridged Audiobook Download 9780525596240

State Awards

Florida

2021, Sunshine State Young Readers Award, Nominee

Indiana

2020-2021, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee

Kansas

2020-2021, William Allen White Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Kentucky

2019-2020, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Louisiana

2020-2021, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Nominee

Maine

2019, Maine Student Book Award, Nominee

Maryland

2019, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

Massachusetts

2019-2020, Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Pennsylvania

2020-2021, Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, Nominee

Rhode Island

2020, Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, Nominee

South Carolina

2020, South Carolina Book Awards, Nominee

Texas

2019-2020, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Nominee

Vermont

2019-2020, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Wisconsin

2019, Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommends List, Selection

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