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Half a Chance
A moving new middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of Rules.
When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough.
As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own.
When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough.
As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2014
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March 9, 2014
You can tell that Cynthia Lord was a teacher because she knows how to write honestly about kids and their motives and emotions. Get tissues for the end. I read every word, but the last two chapters were a little blurry through the tears. A special and remarkable book that I cannot wait to pass into kids' hands. I already have a few names in mind:)
July 18, 2014
My mother-in-law's photography hobby led her to tipping a canoe in a quagmire of lilypads and sending her expensive camera to the bottom of the lake. I've had my own adventures where my scared dog tipped the canoe jumping out, then tried to drown my husband by wrapping his body around his shoulders and head. Lucy Emery, the new kid, is not a klutz and while she takes pictures in a kayak and brings her dog with on one trip she is a cautious girl that doesn't have any disasters like me. She assimilates pretty quickly to her new life on the lake making friends with her friendly neighbors, the siblings Nate and Emily, who spend each day on Loon Patrol, their catchy phrase for observing the loons nesting on the lake. Like biologists-in-training, the two will report their daily observations to the Loon Preservation Committee office at the end of the summer. They let Lucy come with them to take pictures for a photography contest. Cynthia Lord is one of the few realistic fiction writers that can sweep me into a slower moving story. I admire how she crafts her plot, develops characters, writes memorable phrases, and creates tension through relationships. While the start is a little slow for me, it all comes together at the end with some strong messages.
As a twelve-year-old, Lucy is not new to moving to a new place. Her dad, a famous photographer, finds it hard to stay put in one place. When she moves from Massachusetts to a lakeside home in New Hampshire she struggles with being the new kid again. She knows that some will be interested in her at first only to go back to their old friends when they tire of her. When she meets Nate she finds that his childhood friend, Megan, is jealous that Lucy is invading her turf. When Emily and Nate invite Lucy to go on Loon Patrol it is easy to see why Megan is upset since she was the previous third wheel on Loon Patrol. Megan doesn't deal well with her anger and retaliates in a nasty way toward Lucy. Meanwhile Lucy wonders if Nate's friendship is real or temporary. When Lucy discovers her dad is judging a photography contest she decides to secretly enter. She wants her dad's unbiased opinion of her photography skills since she wants to follow his career path. She is full of doubts and insecurities about not being good enough in her relationships with others. Lucy justifies entering the contest by wanting to use the money to help Nate's sick grandma see the loons.
Lucy is shy and shows her uncertainty with making friends. She is sensitive to what others think of her. She texts Nate and then wonders if her one-word response was too blunt and adds another text. Her uncertainty captures what it is like growing up and learning to socialize, especially when a kid is somewhat interested in a boy. Lucy has never had a friend that is a boy and is somewhat conflicted, not recognizing her romantic feelings toward Nate. Nate helps Lucy with her photos for the contest and quite a bit of the dialogue and descriptions involve the art of photography. I liked the parallels between it and stories. "I imagined Dad beside me: 'It's pretty,' he'd say. 'But pretty isn't enough for a great photograph. Show me why I care. What's the story?'" Storytelling is the same way. The reader must care for the characters and story for it to come alive and keep them reading. I have never stopped to think of photography in the same way as crafting a story.
Megan is not a one-dimensional villain and Lucy reacts to her meanness with kindness. She does this because she wants what is best for the loons and sets aside petty jealousy that is affecting her relationship with Megan. Both are interested in the same boy and Megan is rightfully upset about being excluded from the trio, she just reacts to it in an unhealthy way. When Megan sabotages Lucy's project, it is revealing that Lucy responds in a mature manner. Lucy never tattles on Megan and includes her in the project. She even uses her photos and compliments her. She doesn't stoop to the same levels as Megan even though she thinks some jealous thoughts. Instead she always keeps the big picture in mind which is what is best for the loons and how can the group accomplish this? Megan knows that she doesn't deserve Lucy's kindness and respect and in the end feels ashamed of her actions and apologizes to Lucy. The author shows the result of Lucy not reacting in anger to Megan that allows them to be civil to each other even though they both like Nate and don't want to share him with each other. Ironically, Nate is oblivious to their friction and mutual attraction to him.
Cynthia Lord does a nice job articulating feelings in regards to relationships that many readers might not know how to express in words. "I know what it feels like when you want to matter to someone and they don't notice. But I was still mad at Megan for deleting my photos and trying to take over my idea of the posters." While Lucy is mad at her she never retaliates in anger and the result is "Megan and I might not ever be good friends, ... but ...I was going to ...invite her. Because maybe we both wanted to try, and sometimes people are like shooting photos. It takes a bunch of misses before something good happens." Lucy knows her dad loves her but she wants her dad to notice her photography. And she wants to be good at it. She's afraid of failure and also brave at striking out and taking risks with her photography. When she uses the photo of Grandma Lilah, it took courage to choose it because she knew she'd be upsetting her friend, Nate.
The subplot of Nate's grandma losing her mind because of dementia is full of tension and authenticity. My mom is going through the same thing. She's in the phase of dementia where she recognizes that her mind is not working properly. Because I've experienced this illness in my personal life, I found the author's portrayal of Grandma Lilah very real and poignant. Nate is in denial of his grandma's illness and afraid of her not recognizing him. I know eventually my mom will also not know me. It fills me with sadness and is not an easy thing to deal with as an adult much less as a child. Lucy's actions force Nate to talk about it and deal with his grandma's illness in a healthy manner.
Friendship, family relationships, facing a loved one's illness, and being the new kid are just a few of the many themes the author splashes throughout the plot. Lucy's dad is a nice guy but is hard to live with as he likes to move and travel. As a famous photographer he likes change and the freshness it brings to his photos, "But really, I think Dad loves how good it feels to leave - to let go of the routine in an old place and start over somewhere else." I can actually relate to the dad. I enjoy change in routine because it makes me feel so alive. Luckily my husband has the same wanderlust as me giving me a best friend to traipse all over the world with. Lucy discusses with her dad photography because she knows it is what he loves and she does too. This shared passion helps her communicate with him although sometimes it seems one-sided. While her father loves her, he makes mistakes and isn't always sensitive toward her. The mother comes across as lonely and disappointed when Lucy doesn't want to do something with her. Yet, she doesn't force Lucy to come with on excursions. I wanted their relationship developed a bit more.
The reader will learn about loons and responsible behavior toward them. Boaters that get too close to loons scare them. The parents end up not feeding their babies enough food, spending too much time protecting them from the boaters and the result is the babies can starve to death. Lucy, Nate, and Emily decide to create posters to inform the public on appropriate behavior around the nesting birds. They eventually include Megan in the project and while she can be obnoxious, Lucy deals with her in a way that helps them reach a truce. Lucy is upset by an incident of a predator attacking the loons. I remember as a kid struggling with the death of bunnies and deer. I grew up on a nature center and it took me a long time to understand why the deer had to be shot periodically to reduce their numbers. This can open up discussions on the balance of ecosystems, human care and responsibility toward the environment, and human impact on animal habitation. If readers like this aspect, they can try other books with similar themes such as, "The One and Only Ivan," "Hoot," "Julie," or "Endangered." This book would make a great read aloud for grade 3 - 5 students.
As a twelve-year-old, Lucy is not new to moving to a new place. Her dad, a famous photographer, finds it hard to stay put in one place. When she moves from Massachusetts to a lakeside home in New Hampshire she struggles with being the new kid again. She knows that some will be interested in her at first only to go back to their old friends when they tire of her. When she meets Nate she finds that his childhood friend, Megan, is jealous that Lucy is invading her turf. When Emily and Nate invite Lucy to go on Loon Patrol it is easy to see why Megan is upset since she was the previous third wheel on Loon Patrol. Megan doesn't deal well with her anger and retaliates in a nasty way toward Lucy. Meanwhile Lucy wonders if Nate's friendship is real or temporary. When Lucy discovers her dad is judging a photography contest she decides to secretly enter. She wants her dad's unbiased opinion of her photography skills since she wants to follow his career path. She is full of doubts and insecurities about not being good enough in her relationships with others. Lucy justifies entering the contest by wanting to use the money to help Nate's sick grandma see the loons.
Lucy is shy and shows her uncertainty with making friends. She is sensitive to what others think of her. She texts Nate and then wonders if her one-word response was too blunt and adds another text. Her uncertainty captures what it is like growing up and learning to socialize, especially when a kid is somewhat interested in a boy. Lucy has never had a friend that is a boy and is somewhat conflicted, not recognizing her romantic feelings toward Nate. Nate helps Lucy with her photos for the contest and quite a bit of the dialogue and descriptions involve the art of photography. I liked the parallels between it and stories. "I imagined Dad beside me: 'It's pretty,' he'd say. 'But pretty isn't enough for a great photograph. Show me why I care. What's the story?'" Storytelling is the same way. The reader must care for the characters and story for it to come alive and keep them reading. I have never stopped to think of photography in the same way as crafting a story.
Megan is not a one-dimensional villain and Lucy reacts to her meanness with kindness. She does this because she wants what is best for the loons and sets aside petty jealousy that is affecting her relationship with Megan. Both are interested in the same boy and Megan is rightfully upset about being excluded from the trio, she just reacts to it in an unhealthy way. When Megan sabotages Lucy's project, it is revealing that Lucy responds in a mature manner. Lucy never tattles on Megan and includes her in the project. She even uses her photos and compliments her. She doesn't stoop to the same levels as Megan even though she thinks some jealous thoughts. Instead she always keeps the big picture in mind which is what is best for the loons and how can the group accomplish this? Megan knows that she doesn't deserve Lucy's kindness and respect and in the end feels ashamed of her actions and apologizes to Lucy. The author shows the result of Lucy not reacting in anger to Megan that allows them to be civil to each other even though they both like Nate and don't want to share him with each other. Ironically, Nate is oblivious to their friction and mutual attraction to him.
Cynthia Lord does a nice job articulating feelings in regards to relationships that many readers might not know how to express in words. "I know what it feels like when you want to matter to someone and they don't notice. But I was still mad at Megan for deleting my photos and trying to take over my idea of the posters." While Lucy is mad at her she never retaliates in anger and the result is "Megan and I might not ever be good friends, ... but ...I was going to ...invite her. Because maybe we both wanted to try, and sometimes people are like shooting photos. It takes a bunch of misses before something good happens." Lucy knows her dad loves her but she wants her dad to notice her photography. And she wants to be good at it. She's afraid of failure and also brave at striking out and taking risks with her photography. When she uses the photo of Grandma Lilah, it took courage to choose it because she knew she'd be upsetting her friend, Nate.
The subplot of Nate's grandma losing her mind because of dementia is full of tension and authenticity. My mom is going through the same thing. She's in the phase of dementia where she recognizes that her mind is not working properly. Because I've experienced this illness in my personal life, I found the author's portrayal of Grandma Lilah very real and poignant. Nate is in denial of his grandma's illness and afraid of her not recognizing him. I know eventually my mom will also not know me. It fills me with sadness and is not an easy thing to deal with as an adult much less as a child. Lucy's actions force Nate to talk about it and deal with his grandma's illness in a healthy manner.
Friendship, family relationships, facing a loved one's illness, and being the new kid are just a few of the many themes the author splashes throughout the plot. Lucy's dad is a nice guy but is hard to live with as he likes to move and travel. As a famous photographer he likes change and the freshness it brings to his photos, "But really, I think Dad loves how good it feels to leave - to let go of the routine in an old place and start over somewhere else." I can actually relate to the dad. I enjoy change in routine because it makes me feel so alive. Luckily my husband has the same wanderlust as me giving me a best friend to traipse all over the world with. Lucy discusses with her dad photography because she knows it is what he loves and she does too. This shared passion helps her communicate with him although sometimes it seems one-sided. While her father loves her, he makes mistakes and isn't always sensitive toward her. The mother comes across as lonely and disappointed when Lucy doesn't want to do something with her. Yet, she doesn't force Lucy to come with on excursions. I wanted their relationship developed a bit more.
The reader will learn about loons and responsible behavior toward them. Boaters that get too close to loons scare them. The parents end up not feeding their babies enough food, spending too much time protecting them from the boaters and the result is the babies can starve to death. Lucy, Nate, and Emily decide to create posters to inform the public on appropriate behavior around the nesting birds. They eventually include Megan in the project and while she can be obnoxious, Lucy deals with her in a way that helps them reach a truce. Lucy is upset by an incident of a predator attacking the loons. I remember as a kid struggling with the death of bunnies and deer. I grew up on a nature center and it took me a long time to understand why the deer had to be shot periodically to reduce their numbers. This can open up discussions on the balance of ecosystems, human care and responsibility toward the environment, and human impact on animal habitation. If readers like this aspect, they can try other books with similar themes such as, "The One and Only Ivan," "Hoot," "Julie," or "Endangered." This book would make a great read aloud for grade 3 - 5 students.
March 23, 2015
This is a great summer read for a 10 or 11 year-old girl, especially someone who may not be ready for more mature content. My family used to go to a lake like this one every Summer with two or three other families, and I remember that there was a certain magic to those trips that rendered invisible all of the differences between us kids. For two weeks, it didn't matter if you were a boy or a girl, or if you were the oldest or the youngest--you were best friends with everyone else there. I think this book really captures that spirit.
The only aspect of this story that really bothered me was Lucy's absent photographer father. Ugh! What a self-centered jerk. I hated him. He was just the most obnoxious kind of hipster man-child--an artist who is so busy spouting know-it-all garbage and buzzwords at his daughter that he forgets to actually be her dad. He is incapable of giving her any kind of credit for her achievements, chalking them all up to circumstance or his own intervention, and when she finally forces him to recognize how talented she is, he whines like a spoiled princess because he feels mildly inconvenienced. I was so mad that this story ended with everything being totally cool between dad and daughter. I just wanted the dad's agent to be like, "It turns out your daughter is a better photographer than you," or for Lucy to at least be like "SCREW YOU, DAD." I get it--it's a children's book and that's not usually how situations like that end, but it really rustled my jimmies, you know?
The only aspect of this story that really bothered me was Lucy's absent photographer father. Ugh! What a self-centered jerk. I hated him. He was just the most obnoxious kind of hipster man-child--an artist who is so busy spouting know-it-all garbage and buzzwords at his daughter that he forgets to actually be her dad. He is incapable of giving her any kind of credit for her achievements, chalking them all up to circumstance or his own intervention, and when she finally forces him to recognize how talented she is, he whines like a spoiled princess because he feels mildly inconvenienced. I was so mad that this story ended with everything being totally cool between dad and daughter. I just wanted the dad's agent to be like, "It turns out your daughter is a better photographer than you," or for Lucy to at least be like "SCREW YOU, DAD." I get it--it's a children's book and that's not usually how situations like that end, but it really rustled my jimmies, you know?
November 13, 2019
I quite liked this book and I won it at a school competition after me and my best friend dressed up as fluffy the three headed dog from harry potter and won a prize for cutting holes in a cardboard box and holding up an extra dog head made of old tights (:
good times
good times
December 15, 2014
*ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This review originally appeared on www.bookishserendipity.com
One of the things on my book wish list was more middle grade novels about goal-oriented children—kid writers, bloggers, entrepreneurs, activists, etcetera. One of the main reasons that I was interested in this novel was because I love the idea of a novel featuring a kid photographer. So many different possibilities there!
That being said, Lucy was sweet and friendly and overall a likeable character, but nothing exceptional. I liked that her voice was strong but as a character, she wasn't particularly special. I tend to favor quirky, irresistible characters. Since Lucy is a regular girl, I didn't connect with her as well as I could have. I really liked her neighbour Nate, though! He was kind and honest and overall, just a fun character to read about.
I can see why Cynthia Lord is a Newberry Honor winner. Her writing is just perfect! It doesn't try to be flashy or gimmicky or humorous where humor isn't necessary. The words are right where they need to be for the reader to be able to visualize the scene without being overwhelmed with description. Ms. Lord can, effortlessly it appears, get into the heads of her characters and view the world from Lucy's point of view. Here is an example:
"When Nate looked at it, he saw his grandmother, the person he loved. I couldn't make him understand that sometimes a photo was more than that. It had a regular truth that you could see with your eyes, and a second one that you felt. This photo would make the person looking at it experience something important. And that made it special.
It made it art.
The ending was very satisfying, but not in a and-they-all-lived-happily-ever-after way, which I liked. Lucy had to deal with some losses but she also gained new knowledge and friends. Win some, lose some! I think that kids will be able to connect with the end of Half A Chance because like the real world, nothing is really perfect.
Overall, I was very satisfied with this novel. It is charming and realistic and I enjoyed it greatly! Half a Chance is the kind of sweet novel that is best read on a beach at the lake with waves licking at your toes. Especially a New Hampshire lake. A nice light read. 4 stars!
This review originally appeared on www.bookishserendipity.com
One of the things on my book wish list was more middle grade novels about goal-oriented children—kid writers, bloggers, entrepreneurs, activists, etcetera. One of the main reasons that I was interested in this novel was because I love the idea of a novel featuring a kid photographer. So many different possibilities there!
That being said, Lucy was sweet and friendly and overall a likeable character, but nothing exceptional. I liked that her voice was strong but as a character, she wasn't particularly special. I tend to favor quirky, irresistible characters. Since Lucy is a regular girl, I didn't connect with her as well as I could have. I really liked her neighbour Nate, though! He was kind and honest and overall, just a fun character to read about.
I can see why Cynthia Lord is a Newberry Honor winner. Her writing is just perfect! It doesn't try to be flashy or gimmicky or humorous where humor isn't necessary. The words are right where they need to be for the reader to be able to visualize the scene without being overwhelmed with description. Ms. Lord can, effortlessly it appears, get into the heads of her characters and view the world from Lucy's point of view. Here is an example:
"When Nate looked at it, he saw his grandmother, the person he loved. I couldn't make him understand that sometimes a photo was more than that. It had a regular truth that you could see with your eyes, and a second one that you felt. This photo would make the person looking at it experience something important. And that made it special.
It made it art.
The ending was very satisfying, but not in a and-they-all-lived-happily-ever-after way, which I liked. Lucy had to deal with some losses but she also gained new knowledge and friends. Win some, lose some! I think that kids will be able to connect with the end of Half A Chance because like the real world, nothing is really perfect.
Overall, I was very satisfied with this novel. It is charming and realistic and I enjoyed it greatly! Half a Chance is the kind of sweet novel that is best read on a beach at the lake with waves licking at your toes. Especially a New Hampshire lake. A nice light read. 4 stars!
January 10, 2016
Lovely story. Worthy selection for the Red Dot Older readers awards. I think my Grade 6s will love this one.
A story about finding your place and coping with change. On the surface Lucy's story is about her first summer at her new home - bird watching, getting to know her new neighbours, taking photographs. The photo competition that her father is judging works as a clever narrative device as the mechanisms of visual story-telling bleed into the themes of Lord's novel. It's clever and subtle and poignant. I admired the craft as well as enjoying the story.
A story about finding your place and coping with change. On the surface Lucy's story is about her first summer at her new home - bird watching, getting to know her new neighbours, taking photographs. The photo competition that her father is judging works as a clever narrative device as the mechanisms of visual story-telling bleed into the themes of Lord's novel. It's clever and subtle and poignant. I admired the craft as well as enjoying the story.
January 18, 2016
What a lovely little read about summers, photography, new friendships, missing, birds, family and respecting our subjects. The language is accessible, the arc simple but the gentle way Lord tackles loneliness and vulnerability and love hits a chord. I liked this one a lot. Many of you will enjoy it.
August 3, 2018
“Don’t ever choose the people who don’t matter over the ones who do.”
✅
✅
September 7, 2020
I read rules by Cynthia Lord and loved it but this book was good but not as good as Rules. I still really liked this book though.
January 2, 2017
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord is one of the best books because it involves taking an adventure, having fun, and starting a new life in a new place. It reminds me of when I left elementary school and came to middle school, it was strange because I didn't know that many people but as the days went by, I had fun and became friends with lots of people. This relates to Lucy's position because at first she didn't know anyone on the lake but when she met Nate they soon became good friends.
Lucy, her mom and dad, and her dog Ansel have just moved into a house on a lake in New Hampshire that creaks and squeaks a lot! While Lucy and her family are just moving in and starting life in a new place, her dad-a famous photographer, is already leaving to go to Arizona for a business trip. When Lucy finds out that her dad is judging a photography contest, she uses it as an opportunity to show him that she's talented when it comes to taking photos, just like him. The only problem is- Lucy's dad is one of the judges and Lucy wants to enter. While exploring various subjects, trying to find the right ones to use in her photographs, Lucy meets Nate- a boy who lives in the cottage next door who has been coming to the lake every summer since he was born and helps Lucy on her "quest" for picture subjects. As Nate and Lucy take pictures of the Cherry Mountain, the lake they live on, and the loons- birds on the lake, her camera reveals a dark truth: Nate's family is starting to change in ways that harm the things he cherishes.
If you want a book about having fun in the sun, adjusting to a new home, and you like taking photos, Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord is the book for you. It teaches you that moving away from a past life that you're familiar with might be scary at first but as the days go by, it can actually be fun and exciting as you meet new people and try new things.
“It must take some courage to fly, to trust the wind to hold you as it lifts you away from all you've ever known. To know inside that you're heading where you're meant to go—even if you've never been there before. And that 'I hope so' will be enough to get you there.”
― Cynthia Lord, Half a Chance
Lucy, her mom and dad, and her dog Ansel have just moved into a house on a lake in New Hampshire that creaks and squeaks a lot! While Lucy and her family are just moving in and starting life in a new place, her dad-a famous photographer, is already leaving to go to Arizona for a business trip. When Lucy finds out that her dad is judging a photography contest, she uses it as an opportunity to show him that she's talented when it comes to taking photos, just like him. The only problem is- Lucy's dad is one of the judges and Lucy wants to enter. While exploring various subjects, trying to find the right ones to use in her photographs, Lucy meets Nate- a boy who lives in the cottage next door who has been coming to the lake every summer since he was born and helps Lucy on her "quest" for picture subjects. As Nate and Lucy take pictures of the Cherry Mountain, the lake they live on, and the loons- birds on the lake, her camera reveals a dark truth: Nate's family is starting to change in ways that harm the things he cherishes.
If you want a book about having fun in the sun, adjusting to a new home, and you like taking photos, Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord is the book for you. It teaches you that moving away from a past life that you're familiar with might be scary at first but as the days go by, it can actually be fun and exciting as you meet new people and try new things.
“It must take some courage to fly, to trust the wind to hold you as it lifts you away from all you've ever known. To know inside that you're heading where you're meant to go—even if you've never been there before. And that 'I hope so' will be enough to get you there.”
― Cynthia Lord, Half a Chance
March 27, 2014
4.5 stars.
A beautifully written, introspective, realistic middle-grade about a girl, Lucy, who moves to a New Hampshire lake house and befriends a boy visiting for the summer and his grandmother who seems to be suffering from the early stages of dementia.
There are so many layers to this story: Lucy and Nate's family looking after the lake's loons; Lucy's relationship with her famous photographer father, who spends most of the book away on assignment and who Lucy aspires to impress with her own photography; Lucy's photography and the contest; Lucy and Nate's friendship, and Lucy's perceptions of making friends when you move all the time; and of course Grandma Lilah's illness, which Lord writes with a deft touch. It's poignant and sad, but never angst-written or clumsy.
I would have liked to see a little more of Lucy and her father especially more of him not acting like a tool.
I loved the imagery with which Lord painted the lake, the loons, and the whole New Hampshire small-town picture. Particularly in a story that relies so much on the visual, what with the photography emphasis, she did a wonderful job. Nothing seemed over-described, and I got perfect mental images, particularly of Lucy's photos.
In conclusion: wonderful. I could see it on the lists for a 2015 Newbury. Great for middle-grade readers who like quieter realistic: "The View From Saturday," "Destiny, Rewritten," "One for the Murphys," "Where the Red Fern Grows," or basically anything by Sharon Creech.
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.
A beautifully written, introspective, realistic middle-grade about a girl, Lucy, who moves to a New Hampshire lake house and befriends a boy visiting for the summer and his grandmother who seems to be suffering from the early stages of dementia.
There are so many layers to this story: Lucy and Nate's family looking after the lake's loons; Lucy's relationship with her famous photographer father, who spends most of the book away on assignment and who Lucy aspires to impress with her own photography; Lucy's photography and the contest; Lucy and Nate's friendship, and Lucy's perceptions of making friends when you move all the time; and of course Grandma Lilah's illness, which Lord writes with a deft touch. It's poignant and sad, but never angst-written or clumsy.
I would have liked to see a little more of Lucy and her father especially more of him not acting like a tool.
I loved the imagery with which Lord painted the lake, the loons, and the whole New Hampshire small-town picture. Particularly in a story that relies so much on the visual, what with the photography emphasis, she did a wonderful job. Nothing seemed over-described, and I got perfect mental images, particularly of Lucy's photos.
In conclusion: wonderful. I could see it on the lists for a 2015 Newbury. Great for middle-grade readers who like quieter realistic: "The View From Saturday," "Destiny, Rewritten," "One for the Murphys," "Where the Red Fern Grows," or basically anything by Sharon Creech.
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.
May 18, 2016
"Half a Chance" is a book that is about a Lucy who loved photography very much, partially to do with her father being a professional photographer that traveled all over the world. Lucy never believed that her pictures were good enough to compare with her father. She really wanted to show everyone she was good enough so she decided she needed a way of knowing for sure. When Lucy meets a boy named Nate that is visiting his grandmother next door that's suffering from memory loss in her old age. Eventually, Lucy's father returns and announces that he wants to start a photography competition. Lucy is dying to enter, but knows that it's unfair to enter since her father is the one running the contest. She decides to instead, enter the competition as Nate and submits a photo of his grandmother and ends up winning the contest.
I rated this book 3 stars because I really like the way the author told the story and the emotions behind it. This book would probably be too old for the children in my classroom but it could be a leisure book in a slightly older aged room. My problems with this book were that I wished Lucy had more confidence in her work instead of feeling like she's not good enough. It's something I think would be good for children to actually feel confident in the things they do and too many books have main characters that feel they aren't good enough to succeed in something they love.
I rated this book 3 stars because I really like the way the author told the story and the emotions behind it. This book would probably be too old for the children in my classroom but it could be a leisure book in a slightly older aged room. My problems with this book were that I wished Lucy had more confidence in her work instead of feeling like she's not good enough. It's something I think would be good for children to actually feel confident in the things they do and too many books have main characters that feel they aren't good enough to succeed in something they love.
August 21, 2014
Cynthia Lord captured a snapshot of life in New England so realistically. Though set in New Hampshire, it easily could portray life on a Maine lake as well. She introduces us to Lucy,'the new kid', figuring out the pecking order of friendships, when her family moves frequently. We also meet her new neighbor's family, who's matriarch is dealing with the onset of dementia. Cynthia has a way of revealing real life issues without being preachy or dark. From autism in Rules, to foster children in Touch Blue, to Alzheimer's in Half a Chance. We get to see with humor and courage the struggles faced through her character's eyes, as they live with loved ones who cannot help the hands they are dealt.
Personally, I loved Lucy's passion with photography, which so closely mirrors my own. With such an observant portrayal of a true shutterbug, I was left wondering why the cover art did not reflect that theme. I realize this is not the choice of an author, but rather the designer. I think it would be fun to have students create their own book jacket for this novel and see which of the many rich themes resonated with them.
LOVED this book. It's a must read recommendation for teachers and students at my school.
Personally, I loved Lucy's passion with photography, which so closely mirrors my own. With such an observant portrayal of a true shutterbug, I was left wondering why the cover art did not reflect that theme. I realize this is not the choice of an author, but rather the designer. I think it would be fun to have students create their own book jacket for this novel and see which of the many rich themes resonated with them.
LOVED this book. It's a must read recommendation for teachers and students at my school.
March 11, 2016
Wow! Half a Chance is just an outstanding book- a true work of art. Beautiful, fun, and full of truths and new thoughts, (not to mention the best ending EVER!) Half a Chance will keep you wanting to turn the page and yet never wanting to get closer to the last page! Lucy has just moved to an old house on the New Hampshire lake, and her dad, a famous photographer, has just left for another business trip. Wanting to prove herself to her dad, she secretly enters a photography contest that he is judging. She has the help of the neighbor boy, Nate. But when her pictures start showing things about his family that he doesn't want to see- and soon Lucy has to wonder if doing something wrong for the right reasons is better than doing something right but never changing the world for the better. This book is truly a masterpiece. I highly recommend it!
November 15, 2015
Half a Chance is one of the ten Virginia Reader's Choice novels. Things I like about this novel: it's appropriate for all students at my middle school. There isn't any foul language or content and it's easy to read so it would be suitable for reluctant readers. Lucy, the main character, is likable and the plot is simple yet complex.
Things I didn't like about this novel: it's very slow to start. There's a lot of talk about photography but there aren't any pictures which I think would add to the novel (even if they were simple black and white photos). Lucy takes photos because her father is a famous photographer. It would have been refreshing if Lucy realized her unique talent at some point during the novel- basically anything besides photography.
Things I didn't like about this novel: it's very slow to start. There's a lot of talk about photography but there aren't any pictures which I think would add to the novel (even if they were simple black and white photos). Lucy takes photos because her father is a famous photographer. It would have been refreshing if Lucy realized her unique talent at some point during the novel- basically anything besides photography.
July 3, 2018
And Cynthia Lord does it again! I have no idea how she writes like this! Her stories are always sweet and sad and beautiful all at the same time.
The characters were wonderfully realistic, especially Lucy herself. Her jealousy, her want to prove herself to her father, everything. I really almost cried in parts. I definitely recommend this book to anyone, young or old.
The characters were wonderfully realistic, especially Lucy herself. Her jealousy, her want to prove herself to her father, everything. I really almost cried in parts. I definitely recommend this book to anyone, young or old.
July 12, 2020
I quite liked this book and I borrowed it from my best friend when she won it in a school competition after we dressed up as fluffy the three headed dog from Harry Potter and won a prize for cutting holes in a cardboard box and making an extra head with old tights :)
good times
good times
March 12, 2020
3.5 stars.
I mean, it was okay, but not great. For school.
I mean, it was okay, but not great. For school.
May 25, 2018
Lucy and her parents move a lot, and their newest home is a lakeside cabin in New Hampshire. One of the first people she meets is Nate, whose family is staying in the cabin next door for the summer. He's happy to show her around, and she's glad to accept ... with camera in hand. Photography contests and finding the story. Pink kayaks and mountain views. Tremolos and loonsong lessons. Business trips and bad days.
I did like this story (wish I could bump to 3.5 stars), but the tensions and pettiness kept me from enjoying it more fully. And dementia is so, so sad. Lord did an amazing job expressing such a visual theme (photography) in words. The photo contest, which is almost like a scavenger hunt, lent a unique and engaging structure to the story while also serving as a catalyst to the plot. Nice! (And a huge opportunity for young readers to interact with the story by taking their own photos.)
While this story wasn't necessarily for me, Cynthia Lord is quickly becoming a favorite author. Respect. I'm here.
I did like this story (wish I could bump to 3.5 stars), but the tensions and pettiness kept me from enjoying it more fully. And dementia is so, so sad. Lord did an amazing job expressing such a visual theme (photography) in words. The photo contest, which is almost like a scavenger hunt, lent a unique and engaging structure to the story while also serving as a catalyst to the plot. Nice! (And a huge opportunity for young readers to interact with the story by taking their own photos.)
While this story wasn't necessarily for me, Cynthia Lord is quickly becoming a favorite author. Respect. I'm here.
May 7, 2022
This was a many faceted story with lots of good quotes. Some of the topics involved photography tips, loon preservation, friendships, jealousy and possessiveness, wanting to belong, life changes of moving, missing family and dementia. "Sometimes a photo has a regular truth you see with your eyes and a second one you feel." " When two things matter, how do you know which one matters more?" "Maybe we can't solve every big problem, but we can try to solve the ones we can." "Good things matter even when they don't last forever." "Even half a chance beats none". "Sometimes people are like photos. It takes a bunch of misses before something good happens". "Good-by isn't the worst thing in the world. Sometimes it's simply time to go". Photos can capture "a true and terrible moment". I liked the photo scavenger hunt contest in this story.
January 22, 2020
A sweet and inspiring story of a girl who deals with multiple moves and a father who is often away. Her interest in photography provides some foundation for her, and making a new friend (again) starts her summer off well.
This is set in New Hampshire and I read just before moving to NH myself. Main characters Lucy and Nate kayak in the lake and study the loons, and I had never seen or heard the call of a loon. After reading I looked them up (and now have seen and heard many loons!). Readers will find this story comforting and hopeful, as well as a view of rural life in the northeast. A fun read!
This is set in New Hampshire and I read just before moving to NH myself. Main characters Lucy and Nate kayak in the lake and study the loons, and I had never seen or heard the call of a loon. After reading I looked them up (and now have seen and heard many loons!). Readers will find this story comforting and hopeful, as well as a view of rural life in the northeast. A fun read!
March 5, 2020
For being a small book it was surprisingly pretty good. It wasn't my typical adventure fiction but it still brought me in. At the end of the story I was particularly grasped by the story and left me with a rollercoaster of emotions.
June 28, 2017
Cynthia Lord is currently one of my favorite juvenile authors. Rules, Half a Chance, and a Handful of Stars are amazing, empathy-building reads. They're well-written and not saccharine or preachy.
July 27, 2017
Good story and good message about young friendships, nature and compassion for others without being too sentimental. Theme probably targets early teens, perhaps a little younger.
January 6, 2021
My 11 year old read and loved this book. She asked me to read it so we could discuss. It was really cute and I even cried at the end. We are looking forward to reading more by this author.
November 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this book I read Rules by this other and Touched By Blue and those were good as well keep up the good work.
August 25, 2016
Lucy Emery's family has moved yet again, this time to a lovely old lakeside house in New Hampshire. And even though it won't be the first time she's been the "new girl," Lucy, 12, knows it can be difficult to make friends with kids who have known each other for a long time.
To make matter more difficult, Lucy's father, a well-known nature photographer, is off to Arizona immediately, leaving her and her mother to deal with the new house. Just before he leaves, Lucy discovers her father is going to judge a kid's photography contest. Lucy is an enthusiastic amateur photographer herself, and would like to take photos that make her dad say that he wished he had taken them. So, Lucy decides to enter the contest - anonymously, of course - to see how she stacks up in her father's unbiased opinion.
Luckily, Lucy immediately meets next door neighbor Nate and his family, including his grandmother. Grandma Lilah, who always comes to the lake for the summer. Each year, she gets involved with the Loon Preservation Committee (LCP), monitoring how the loons at the lake are doing on a daily basis. But now, she is too old to be out on the lake, and it appears that Grandma Lilah is also slipping into dementia. So. Lucy finds herself in a kayak, paddling with Nate and his sister Emily to check on a loon nest across the lake. And Nate, hearing about the photography contest, immediately gets involved, helping Lucy find some great shots she otherwise would not have know about.
As the summer goes by, Lucy to get attached to the loons and to Nate's large family, especially Grandma Lilah, who wants to cross the lake so badly to check on the loons herself. Lucy decides to use the $500. contest prize to rent a pontoon for the day so that Grandma Lilah can go out on the lake and do the daily report for the LPC. And while it appears that Grandma Lilah knows what is happening to her mind, grandson Nate refuses to acknowledge it at all. So when Lucy takes a beautiful but very revealing photo of Grandma Lilah that captures the rawness of her confusion and the sadness she feels, Nate, seeing the truth about his grandmother, gets angry and refuses to speak to Lucy.
And Lucy faces some serious ethical questions when she decides to enter the contest under a false name, and to use the photo of Grandma Lilah for the contest, despite Nate's objections. But, if Lucy wins, the photo could be published in a magazine, and Lucy never asked Nate's family, and especially Grandma Lilah, if that would be OK with them.
Will Lucy and Nate part as friends or enemies at summer's end?
Kids dealing with a grandparent's dementia is a tough topic, and not one you would expect them to be interested in. Cynthia Lord makes it accessible to young readers in Half a Chance by distancing Grandma Lilah, making her part of Lucy's story, but not her family. By doing this, Lucy can see the truth about Grandma Lilah more objectively, without the same level of emotional attachment that Nate feels, and perhaps help Nate accept the changes in his grandmother.
Lord also captures Lucy's conflicting feelings about her father. It's clear she wishes he wasn't such an absentee dad, but she's also proud of his nature photography. Some readers may think that Lucy is trying to compete with his talent, other will understand that she just wants some attention and acknowledgement from him that she is also talented. That Lucy loves her dad goes without saying.
A word of warning for sensitive readers - the loon family consists of two adults and two chicks. However, in keeping with the theme of loss, one of the baby chicks is killed by an eagle.
Half a Chance is a quiet, thoughtful coming of age novel that addresses some serious issues and asks some very thoughtful questions for today's young readers to think about.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was sent to me by the publisher, Scholastic Press
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
To make matter more difficult, Lucy's father, a well-known nature photographer, is off to Arizona immediately, leaving her and her mother to deal with the new house. Just before he leaves, Lucy discovers her father is going to judge a kid's photography contest. Lucy is an enthusiastic amateur photographer herself, and would like to take photos that make her dad say that he wished he had taken them. So, Lucy decides to enter the contest - anonymously, of course - to see how she stacks up in her father's unbiased opinion.
Luckily, Lucy immediately meets next door neighbor Nate and his family, including his grandmother. Grandma Lilah, who always comes to the lake for the summer. Each year, she gets involved with the Loon Preservation Committee (LCP), monitoring how the loons at the lake are doing on a daily basis. But now, she is too old to be out on the lake, and it appears that Grandma Lilah is also slipping into dementia. So. Lucy finds herself in a kayak, paddling with Nate and his sister Emily to check on a loon nest across the lake. And Nate, hearing about the photography contest, immediately gets involved, helping Lucy find some great shots she otherwise would not have know about.
As the summer goes by, Lucy to get attached to the loons and to Nate's large family, especially Grandma Lilah, who wants to cross the lake so badly to check on the loons herself. Lucy decides to use the $500. contest prize to rent a pontoon for the day so that Grandma Lilah can go out on the lake and do the daily report for the LPC. And while it appears that Grandma Lilah knows what is happening to her mind, grandson Nate refuses to acknowledge it at all. So when Lucy takes a beautiful but very revealing photo of Grandma Lilah that captures the rawness of her confusion and the sadness she feels, Nate, seeing the truth about his grandmother, gets angry and refuses to speak to Lucy.
And Lucy faces some serious ethical questions when she decides to enter the contest under a false name, and to use the photo of Grandma Lilah for the contest, despite Nate's objections. But, if Lucy wins, the photo could be published in a magazine, and Lucy never asked Nate's family, and especially Grandma Lilah, if that would be OK with them.
Will Lucy and Nate part as friends or enemies at summer's end?
Kids dealing with a grandparent's dementia is a tough topic, and not one you would expect them to be interested in. Cynthia Lord makes it accessible to young readers in Half a Chance by distancing Grandma Lilah, making her part of Lucy's story, but not her family. By doing this, Lucy can see the truth about Grandma Lilah more objectively, without the same level of emotional attachment that Nate feels, and perhaps help Nate accept the changes in his grandmother.
Lord also captures Lucy's conflicting feelings about her father. It's clear she wishes he wasn't such an absentee dad, but she's also proud of his nature photography. Some readers may think that Lucy is trying to compete with his talent, other will understand that she just wants some attention and acknowledgement from him that she is also talented. That Lucy loves her dad goes without saying.
A word of warning for sensitive readers - the loon family consists of two adults and two chicks. However, in keeping with the theme of loss, one of the baby chicks is killed by an eagle.
Half a Chance is a quiet, thoughtful coming of age novel that addresses some serious issues and asks some very thoughtful questions for today's young readers to think about.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was sent to me by the publisher, Scholastic Press
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
December 27, 2014
I finished this book on my birthday; it was like unwrapping a gift. What a beautiful story! Lucy just moved with her family to a lake house in New Hampshire, and her dad, whom she admires, is frequently gone on photography assignments for work. She is a budding photographer herself, but needs approval from her father, which she doesn't always get. When a photography contest comes up that her dad is judging, she decides it's the perfect opportunity to show off her talent and hopefully get validation. Lucy befriends a boy who summers at the lake and lives with his grandmother in the next cottage every summer. He helps her with the contest (I know this is crazy, but at first, I missed the fact that the chapter titles coincided with the topics of the contest - don't make the same mistake), and together they look for the perfect shots. To complicate things, Nate's grandmother is showing signs of Alzheimer's, a long-time friend of Nate seems jealous of Lucy, and Lucy can't decide what to do since her father is the judge of the contest - should she enter under a different name? I thought this book had interesting topics for thought and discussion - should art always be honest? What if a piece of art hurts someone? "It was a truthful photo, even if that truth wasn't beautiful." Who owns art? "And whose photo was it? Did it belong to Grandma Lilah because she was in it? Or did it belong to me because I had taken it?" I even have a further question: Does it belong to the viewer of the photo? Would there be art without truth and honesty, even if it's hard to bear? There are further topics of when to say goodbye, what home means, what memory is, living in the moment, how to discover your gifts and talents, when to focus on what's important, and more. Have some tissues nearby for the ending. This book helped me cinch my 2015 One Little Word. Thank you, Cynthia Lord, for the beautiful gift of your art.
May 4, 2014
This was already in my TBR pile when a friend posted that after reading it she just sat and hugged the book for a while. I thought to myself, "We'll see." I just didn't want to get my hopes up since I've been reeling from some critical book reviews of some favorites lately, and was beginning to wonder who I could trust. Well, I didn't hug the book. I kissed it. In fact, I think I kissed it a couple of times. It's a gem.
Lucy has just moved to a home by a lake with her mom and dad, but as soon as they get there her dad has to rush off for a photography job in Arizona, leaving Lucy and her mom to unpack and settle in. Just before leaving he asks Lucy to keep an eye out for a large package of portfolios that will be coming in for a children's photography contest, which stirs an idea in Lucy. She wonders whether she can enter the contest and impress her dad with her photos.
Teamed with a new friend, summer neighbor boy, Nate, Lucy sets out with an eye to finding just the right shot for every picture category. Some come easy, but others are harder to see, and when one shot is ideal, Nate doesn't agree with Lucy about using it, because he feels it portrays his grandmother badly. As the summer passes, Lucy becomes a member of the Loon Patrol, and does all she can do to help protect the loons on the lake. She also learns more about and grows to love Nate's family, especially his grandmother, Grandma Lilah, who has a special fondness for the loons and is sadly, starting to show signs of dementia.
Why did I kiss this book? I just loved the characters so much. Both adults and children were highly believable and likable, and each added depth to the story, from Lucy's dad who tried to help Lucy see that nature isn't always kind, to Grandma Lilah who knows she is ailing, and is scared yet resigned, to Lucy and Nate who become good friends, and show such selflessness in their desire to win the photo contest for a special reason.
Lucy has just moved to a home by a lake with her mom and dad, but as soon as they get there her dad has to rush off for a photography job in Arizona, leaving Lucy and her mom to unpack and settle in. Just before leaving he asks Lucy to keep an eye out for a large package of portfolios that will be coming in for a children's photography contest, which stirs an idea in Lucy. She wonders whether she can enter the contest and impress her dad with her photos.
Teamed with a new friend, summer neighbor boy, Nate, Lucy sets out with an eye to finding just the right shot for every picture category. Some come easy, but others are harder to see, and when one shot is ideal, Nate doesn't agree with Lucy about using it, because he feels it portrays his grandmother badly. As the summer passes, Lucy becomes a member of the Loon Patrol, and does all she can do to help protect the loons on the lake. She also learns more about and grows to love Nate's family, especially his grandmother, Grandma Lilah, who has a special fondness for the loons and is sadly, starting to show signs of dementia.
Why did I kiss this book? I just loved the characters so much. Both adults and children were highly believable and likable, and each added depth to the story, from Lucy's dad who tried to help Lucy see that nature isn't always kind, to Grandma Lilah who knows she is ailing, and is scared yet resigned, to Lucy and Nate who become good friends, and show such selflessness in their desire to win the photo contest for a special reason.
August 19, 2016
Even half a chance beats none.
This is a heartwarming story. Lucy is a bit lonely because her family moves a lot and her dad travels for work. He is a famous photographer and Lucy tries to take photos that compare. She finds an ad for a photo scavenger hunt that her father is judging and decides to take photos to fit the categories, just for fun. She makes friends with Nate, whose family is staying at the house next door for the summer. Nate helps her with the photos and Lucy helps him keep an eye on the loons that nest on the lake.
The photo scavenger hunt was a fun part of this story. Lucy and Nate come up with some clever photos to fit the different categories. The loons provide an environmental side to the story and a bit of sadness. Nate and Lucy take pictures and notes for the Loon Preservation Committee. Nate's grandmother is dealing with some health issues, and this is a difficult thing for Nate to understand. This may be her last summer at the lake.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book:
At some point, you just have to choose. And then be brave enough to stand up to the people who think you made the wrong choice.
- Chapter 18
I simply saw it. Not to share. Not to capture. Just to live what was around me.
-Chapter 23
Sometimes you don't get an answer, though. Sometimes "I hope so" is the only answer you get.
- Chapter 24
It must take some courage to fly, to trust the wind to hold you as it lifts you away from all you've ever known. To know inside that you're heading where you're meant to go -- even if you've never been there before.
- Chapter 24
This is a grade 3-5 Sunshine State nominated book for 2016-17.
Recommended to:
Readers in grade 3 and up who like realistic fiction stories.
This is a heartwarming story. Lucy is a bit lonely because her family moves a lot and her dad travels for work. He is a famous photographer and Lucy tries to take photos that compare. She finds an ad for a photo scavenger hunt that her father is judging and decides to take photos to fit the categories, just for fun. She makes friends with Nate, whose family is staying at the house next door for the summer. Nate helps her with the photos and Lucy helps him keep an eye on the loons that nest on the lake.
The photo scavenger hunt was a fun part of this story. Lucy and Nate come up with some clever photos to fit the different categories. The loons provide an environmental side to the story and a bit of sadness. Nate and Lucy take pictures and notes for the Loon Preservation Committee. Nate's grandmother is dealing with some health issues, and this is a difficult thing for Nate to understand. This may be her last summer at the lake.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the book:
At some point, you just have to choose. And then be brave enough to stand up to the people who think you made the wrong choice.
- Chapter 18
I simply saw it. Not to share. Not to capture. Just to live what was around me.
-Chapter 23
Sometimes you don't get an answer, though. Sometimes "I hope so" is the only answer you get.
- Chapter 24
It must take some courage to fly, to trust the wind to hold you as it lifts you away from all you've ever known. To know inside that you're heading where you're meant to go -- even if you've never been there before.
- Chapter 24
This is a grade 3-5 Sunshine State nominated book for 2016-17.
Recommended to:
Readers in grade 3 and up who like realistic fiction stories.
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