"The Thing About Luck" is a young adult novel by Cynthia Kadohata, first published in 2013. The book tells the story of twelve-year-old Summer, a Japanese-American girl who lives with her grandparents and helps them harvest wheat during a difficult season. Summer's family is facing financial hardship, and they rely on the wheat harvest to make ends meet. The book explores Summer's relationships with her family members, including her younger brother, who has a heart condition, and her grandmother, who is a superstitious and sometimes difficult person. The story also follows Summer's developing friendship with a boy named Obaachan, who helps with the harvest and has his own family challenges. As Summer navigates the challenges of the harvest season, she also reflects on her own identity as a Japanese-American and the cultural traditions and expectations that shape her life. The book has been praised for its richly-drawn characters, nuanced portrayal of family dynamics, and its exploration of themes such as identity, resilience, and the power of tradition.
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