It isn't easy being a Button. Family always comes first in this clumsy, luckless family.
Tugs Ester Button lives in a small Iowa town called Goodhue. In 1929, this town is so small it doesn't even have a local newspaper anymore. No one is even surprised about this until a stranger comes to town.
"Harvey Moore, bringing progress to Iowa one town at a time."
Tugs isn't too sure about Mr. Moore. The longer he stays in Goodhue, the more suspicious Tugs becomes.
Twelve year old Tugs is an only child, but her family insists she always play with her 11-year old cousin, Ned. This includes the most important event of the year: three-legged race at the Independence Day celebration.
And popular Aggie Millhouse wants to be her friend. Aggie wants to be Tugs's partner in the three-legged race. She even invited Tugs to her birthday party.
"Are you sure you're invited?" whispered Mother Button as Tugs laced her boots.
Tugs's one place of comfort is in the public library, where she looks up words in the enormous dictionary on a small table on a high pedestal. Miss Lucy, the librarian, is the most exotic person Tug has ever known.
"The Independence Day patriotic essays are due tomorrow," Miss Lucy said. "How is yours coming?"
Tugs writes about President Hoover and progress. As soon as she finishes her essay, she feels shy and drops it in the trash can, hoping Miss Lucy will fetch it from the can.
When Tugs sees an advertisement for the Independence Day Picnic Raffle, she realizes she really wants a brand new Brownie Camera.
"It's the best raffle prize ever, if you ask me."
Tugs's luck begins to change. First, she and Aggie win the three-legged. Then she wins the essay contest. And finally she wins one of the cameras.
Can you really change your luck? Is it worthwhile to hope for something better? Is Tugs a likeable person? Can one 12-year old girl stop something terrible from happening to the people of Goodhue? The Luck of the Buttons is a delightful read. You cannot read this book and NOT cheer out loud for Tugs Button! ☺
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
This book is not at NOLS...yet!
