When Lightnin' Struck

  • Interest Level: Grade 4 - Grade 7
  • Reading Level: Grade 4

It’s 1928 in Odessa, Texas, and eleven-year-old James is struggling to find his purpose in life and to uncover a family secret. With his father struck dead by lightning and his mother in jail, he is taken in by his grandparents. Treated as a pariah at school, James is taunted as being cursed by his family’s bad luck. But he finds a friend in Paul, a Russian immigrant, who is also treated as an outcast, and together, they battle the school bully. But James’s life is turned upside-down yet again when he uncovers a family secret involving his beloved grandmother. His discovery leads him to find the sense of purpose he’s been seeking.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-2052-3
$13.49
978-1-7284-2053-0
$7.99
978-1-7284-5212-8
$22.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 4 - Grade 7
Reading Level Grade 4
Copyright 2022
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Kar-Ben Publishing ®
Language English
Number of Pages 272
Publication Date 2022-02-01
Text Type Fiction—Historical
BISACS JUV039230, JUV039060, JUV033020
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 5.25 x 7.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Betsy R. Rosenthal

Before Betsy R. Rosenthal was a writer, she was a civil rights lawyer. She lives with her husband and three children in Pacific Palisades, California. To learn more about Betsy, visit her at www.BetsyRosenthal.com.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

When Lightnin' Struck

It’s 1928 in Odessa, Texas, and eleven-year-old James is struggling to find his purpose in life and to uncover a family secret. With his father struck dead by lightning and his mother in jail, he is taken in by his grandparents. Treated as a pariah at school, James is taunted as being… View available downloads →

Reviews

Midwest Book Review

“Original, deftly crafted, entertaining, thought-provoking with its underlying message about bullying” — Midwest Book Review

Joyce Moyer Hostetter

When Lightnin’ Struck weaves tragedy, bullying, and family secrets into a riveting adventure. A small story with Texas-sized heart!”—Joyce Moyer Hostetter, author of Blue

Susan Goldman Rubin

“Adventures unfold and suspense builds…in this warm, engaging story that hinges on a little-known period of Jewish history.”—Susan Goldman Rubin, author of Sing and Shout: The Mighty Voice of Paul Robeson and The Quilts of Gee’s Bend

Susan Patron

“A keenly observed and timely story of a Texas boy’s discovery of deeply buried family secrets—and of his own humanity.”—Susan Patron, winner of the Newbery Award for The Higher Power of Lucky