Dumb Luck (18 page)

Praise for
Lesley Choyce

Random

“The story has plenty of dramatic activity. . . What many teens may enjoy even more than the plot specifics, though, is Joseph's unpretentious search for meaning that emerges from his “random thoughts,” which range from Malthus to Buddhism to Aristotle to his namesake, Joseph Campbell, who, in describing the mythic hero's perilous journey, articulates what may feel like coming-of-age concerns for many teens.” 

—Booklist

“
With Joseph Campbell, Lesley Choyce offers readers a young male character who is complex, intelligent, and (dare I say it,) sensitive.
Random
 is a “must-buy” book for high school libraries, and an absolute “must-read”… make it a deliberate acquisition!”

—
CM Magazine

Living Outside the Lines

“Choyce has written a beautiful story that will draw readers in to its possibilities.” 

—
School Library Journal

“Lesley Choyce offers teen
readers a tantalizing vision of the future that raises many
challenging and thought-provoking questions in this book that is both highly engaging and easily accessible. . .”

—
Atlantic Books Today

The End of the World As We Know It

“Carson's story of subtle growth and quiet transformation will resonate with a wide range off readers. It is a beautifully honest book tinged with sadness, but ultimately filled with optimism and hope.”

—Atlantic Books Today

“Each character in Lesley Choyce's novel is clearly profiled and dons a prevalent issue facing today's teens…this paperback will be a favorite among young adults and earns itself a 5 rating.” 

—
Lane Education Service District
 (5 out of 5 Stars)

The Book of Michael

“Without descending into stock problem-solving or rote moralizing, Michael's mentors provide commentary regarding acceptance and change.”

—Kirkus

“Examining redemption and re-assimilation, Choyce's sober style rewards readers.”

—
School Library Journal

Copyright © 2011 Lesley Choyce

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of Red Deer Press or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from Access Copyright (Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency) 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1900, Toronto, ON M5E 1E5, Fax (416) 868-1621.

Published by Red Deer Press, A Fitzhenry & Whiteside Company

195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, ON, L3R 4T8

www.reddeerpress.com

Published in the United States by Red Deer Press, A Fitzhenry & Whiteside Company

311 Washington Street, Brighton, Massachusetts, 02135

Edited for the Press by Peter Carver

Cover and text design by Daniel Choi

Cover image courtesy of iStockphoto

eBook development:
WildElement.ca

5 4 3 2 1

We acknowledge with thanks the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Ontario Arts Council for their support of our publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Choyce, Lesley, 1951-

Dumb luck / Lesley Choyce.

ISBN 978-0-88995-465-6 (print), 978-1-55244-311-8 (epub)

I. Title.

PS8555.H668D84 2011 jC813'.54 C2011-905854-5

Publisher Cataloging-in-Publication Data (U.S)

Choyce, Lesley.

Dumb luck / Lesley Choyce.

[ 240 ] p. : cm.

Summary:
Brandon
DeWolfe,
an
18-year-old
lonely
misfit
just
barely
getting
through
school,
does
what
almost
everyone
else
just
dreams
of:
he
wins
the
lottery.
Plunged
into
a
world
that
is
completely
new
to
him,
and
without
any
real
moral
compass
to follow, Brandon realizes it's a good idea to be careful what you wish for.

1. Self-esteem -- Fiction. 2. Adolescence -- Fiction. I. Title.

[Fic] dc22 PZ7.C5693Du 2011