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Title details for Hardlucky by Miriam Chaikin - Available

Hardlucky

The Story of a Boy Who Learns How to Think Before He Acts

by Miriam Chaikin
Gabriel Lisowski
ebook
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Around two hundred years ago, Eastern European communities of Hasidim, Jewish thinkers, and mystics throve. Among the Hasidim were the tzadikim—"the righteous ones"—who were the holiest of all. One such tzadik in the nineteenth century was Kotsker Rebbe, who helped guide thousands of Jews who sought his advice on their problems and lives. Hardlucky is a story about the wisdom of the Kotsker Rebbe and his ability to help others see how to improve themselves and their lives.
Hardlucky is—as his name implies—always falling victim to his bad luck. He falls down stairs, accidentally hits a cow with his work cart, and unfortunately burns down his house. Blaming his hometown for his bad luck streak, Hardlucky sets out to find a new home. But his bad luck seems to follow him—and he even lands in jail! He is eventually taken to the home of Kotsk, the wise rabbi, who helps Hardlucky realize that if he would just look, listen, and think before acting, his life would be a lot less unlucky. This Jewish parable of making your own luck—and thinking before you act—is sure to speak to children (and adults) of all ages.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    December 13, 2012

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9781620879276

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9781620879276
      • File size: 2300 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • School Library Journal

      January 1, 2013

      Gr 2-4-This version of a Jewish parable originally written in 1973 (Lippincott) is less successful than the original. In both versions, Hardlucky experiences bouts of bad fortune. However, the main character has changed from a man to a boy, though the gist of the story remains the same, as does the lesson: think before you act, and you can change your luck. Second, as opposed to the original in which Hardlucky is counseled by an old man riding a mule, in this version, he is advised by the rabbi of Kotsk, which in itself is not a problem for the story. The greater issue is that the reworked text feels stunted and even didactic, while the illustrations merely add to Hardlucky's burden. What was humorous in Fernando Krahn's original cartoonlike pictures has become weighed down by a somber beige palette and dark pen-and-ink characters, particularly Lisowski's portrayal of Hardlucky, who is turned from a buffoonish man into a weary-looking boy. Twice, young Hardlucky gets thrown into jail due to his bad luck, and his sad, dark figure set against a stylized cell door is anything but funny. Many of the situations in which Hardlucky finds himself seem inappropriate for a boy, particularly when compared to the original, which has a much more affectionately amusing tone. Ultimately, the overall heaviness of both the text and the illustrations make this an additional choice at best.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

      Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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