THE LUCK OF THE BUTTONS by Anne Ylvisaker

The Luck of the Buttons by Anne Ylvisaker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tugs Esther Button is just like the rest of her family. Extremely, extraordinarily normal and by no means lucky. If anything they are the opposite of lucky and extraordinary, and maybe not quite "normal". Twelve year old Tugs is the tomboy who spends all of her time with her cousin, like it or not, because she doesn't quite fit in with the girls from the wealthy families. Well, Tugs' luck is about to change. She is about to become friends with the most popular girl, win a brand new camera, and even the local writing contest. Can she also save her town from the mysterious stranger who is taking everyone's money with the promise of their very own newspaper?

Though this story takes place in a small Iowa town in 1929 I think that today's readers will relate to Tugs as the girl or the girl next door who doesn't quite fit in. This humorous story with a little mystery makes for a great read for young girls and boys alike.

J YLVISAKER
AR 4.5