Free Educators’ Guide: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Encourage middle school students to get out of their comfort zones and embrace what makes them different.

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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl By Stacy McAnulty

A lightning strike gave her a super power...but even a super genius can't solve the problem of middle school. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens.

Lucy Callahan's life was changed forever when she was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but the zap gave her genius-level math skills, and she's been homeschooled ever since. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school!

Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?

A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different.

"Fresh story, great characters, a winner!" --Barbara O'Connor, author of Wish

Stacy McAnulty

Stacy McAnulty

Stacy McAnulty is an award-winning, Indie-bestselling children’s book author, and former mechanical engineer, who dreams of someday being a dog therapist, a correspondent for The Daily Show, and an astronaut. She has written 40+ books (both fiction and nonfiction) for young readers, including middle-grade novels: Forever Twelve, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, and Millionaires for the Month, chapter book series, The Dino Files, and picture books, Excellent Ed, and Max Explains Everything. Most of her books feature STEM or an adorable dog—some include both. When not writing, Stacy can be found baking triple-chocolate cupcakes, listening to Taylor Swift, checking out the latest news from NASA, and eating triple-chocolate cupcakes. Originally from upstate NY, she now lives in Kernersville, NC with her 3 kids, 3 dogs, and 1 husband. Find her online at stacymcanulty.com.

Forever Twelve

Forever Twelve By Stacy McAnulty

What if you were twelve for all of eternity? From the award-winning author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl comes a magical mystery about a group of kids who have been alive for hundreds of years.

At the elite West Archer Academy, all the students are gifted, but four are exceptional. Though the Evers look twelve, they're actually centuries old, possessing knowledge and talents that make them extraordinary. And boarding school is the perfect cover for their brilliance -- and their secret. 

It's supposed to be a typical year in the anything-but-typical lives of these "kids" . . . until Ivy Stewart shows up. She resembles an Ever who went missing more than seventy years ago. And Ivy could be the key to unlocking their curse. 

But ambitious Ivy is at West Archer to achieve her own extraordinary goals, and nothing will distract her. Or so she thinks! With the desperate Evers determined to find answers, and her former classmate -- and laid-back cool guy -- Ronan determined to protect her, Ivy soon finds herself swept up in a mystery only she can solve. 

Will her life be changed forever . . . and ever?

Random House Teachers and Librarians