The number 13 gets a bad rap all the time. Poor 13 is considered unlucky, especially when it falls on a Friday.
But it is the last time we’ll see a Friday the 13th in 2012 so no more worries for this year at least.
Is there such a thing as luck? Lots of children I know think so. And luck, superstition, and talismans find their way into children’s books.
The loquacious canine, Martha, becomes convinced that the accidents started when she walked under a ladder in Good Luck Martha , part of the Martha Speaks series (HMH) by Susan Meddaugh.
For all of his bad luck in Fortunately (Aladdin), a modern classic by Remy Charlip, Ned experiences something quite fortunate — including successfully arriving at his own birthday celebration after a series of unfortunate events.
Janet Wong poetically takes on myriad superstitions in Knock on Wood (McElderry). The topics and poems vary in tone from slyly humorous to slightly spooky — but all sure to start discussion about beliefs.
Even Judy Moody has her good-luck penny — or not — in Megan McDonald’s forthcoming book about the much-loved 3rd grader, Judy Moody and the Bad Luck Charm (Candlewick). Could Judy’s lucky charm have changed into something quite different?
I do wish I could have come up with 13 books for the occasion but alas, I came up short. Too bad. It might have been interesting. No matter though. All days — including Friday the 13th — can be lucky when they include good reading!