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	McAnulty, Stacy. THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL New York : Random House, 2018 IL 5-8 ISBN: 9781524767570 (3 booktalks)
Click on the book to read Amazon reviews	Booktalk #1 Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. 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? (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award 2019 - 2020) Booktalk #2 “Life is like an equation. And mine is perfectly balanced. Nana plus Uncle Paul plus math equals happiness. Other people might need to add in friends or sports or money or something else. But my equation is already solved.” Since being struck by lightning at the age of eight, Lucy has grown very comfortable with her reclusive life which revolves around Nana, Uncle Paul, and conversations about math with her online “friends." Her favorite number is Pi. She sees numbers as different colors and marvels at the intricacies of math theorems. This is a fascinating and compelling novel that will draw you in from the beginning, whether you are a math-lover or not. You will not soon forget Lucy. A look at the world through her eyes will make you think twice about how you treat others around you and give you a better understanding of what others may be facing in their daily lives. (Prepared by: Kristi Benson, Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus, kbenson@richland2.org) (South Carolina Book Awards, 2020-2021) Booktalk #3 Everyone has many talents! Think about your talents. Lucy Callahan, our main character of the book, credits lightning striking for her talent in math. As middle school approaches, it is time for her to attend public school after years of homeschooling, even though she possesses the knowledge to enter college. Making new friends can be difficult. Will Lucy make new friends and find a way to help with the animal shelter project? (Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award 2020-2021)
	SUBJECTS: Savants (Savant syndrome) -- Fiction. Obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Fiction. Middle schools -- Fiction. Schools -- Fiction. Interpersonal relations -- Fiction. Lightning -- Fiction.

McAnulty, Stacy.
THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL
New York : Random House, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN: 9781524767570

(3 booktalks)

Click on the book to read Amazon reviews

Booktalk #1

Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. 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? (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award 2019 - 2020)

Booktalk #2

“Life is like an equation. And mine is perfectly balanced. Nana plus Uncle Paul plus math equals happiness. Other people might need to add in friends or sports or money or something else. But my equation is already solved.”

Since being struck by lightning at the age of eight, Lucy has grown very comfortable with her reclusive life which revolves around Nana, Uncle Paul, and conversations about math with her online “friends." Her favorite number is Pi. She sees numbers as different colors and marvels at the intricacies of math theorems.

This is a fascinating and compelling novel that will draw you in from the beginning, whether you are a math-lover or not. You will not soon forget Lucy. A look at the world through her eyes will make you think twice about how you treat others around you and give you a better understanding of what others may be facing in their daily lives. (Prepared by: Kristi Benson, Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus, kbenson@richland2.org) (South Carolina Book Awards, 2020-2021)

Booktalk #3

Everyone has many talents! Think about your talents. Lucy Callahan, our main character of the book, credits lightning striking for her talent in math. As middle school approaches, it is time for her to attend public school after years of homeschooling, even though she possesses the knowledge to enter college. Making new friends can be difficult. Will Lucy make new friends and find a way to help with the animal shelter project? (Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award 2020-2021)

SUBJECTS:   Savants (Savant syndrome) -- Fiction.
                        Obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Fiction.
                        Middle schools -- Fiction.
                        Schools -- Fiction.
                        Interpersonal relations -- Fiction.
                        Lightning -- Fiction.