• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Claire's life is a mess.

She's failing math, her depressed mother won't get off the couch, Eric, the boy of her dreams, is dating her nemesis Lucy. While Claire is wishing her life were better, lightning strikes. Soon afterwards, everything changes. With Lucy in the hospital and out of the way, Claire attracts Eric's attention and gets the starring role in the school play. But good fortune has a cost: her newly energized mother reconciles with her deadbeat dad, the dream boy turns out to be a dud and Claire feels terrible guilt about gaining everything Lucy has lost. But how can Claire turn it around when lightning only strikes once?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Available in French as Frappee par la foudre.

Deb Loughead is the author of more than twenty-five books for children and young adults. She completed an English degree at the University of Toronto before working as a copy editor. She turned to creative writing after deciding to stay home to raise her three sons. Deb's books have been translated into seven languages, and her award-winning poetry and adult fiction have appeared in a variety of Canadian publications. In addition to having extensive experience with educational writing, Deb has conducted workshops and held readings at schools, festivals and conferences across the country. She has written and directed children’s plays and taught creative writing classes for adults in Toronto. Deb likes to spend her non-writing time reading, knitting or hanging around horses as a therapeutic riding volunteer. Deb lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, visit www.debloughead.ca.

Deb Loughead's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"Loughead does a wonderful job of adding a little flavor of magic into realistic fiction…The lesson in following your conscience is well presented. Recommended."

Library Media Connection

"This light-hearted story will interest girls who have been through the emotional drama that is the life of a teen."

Puget Sound Council for Review of Children's Media

"The story line is believable, with an ending that gives hope to readers, especially those whose parents are in a similar situation to Claire's. The novel moves quickly with lots of dialogue between Claire and her parents…This helps reluctant readers keep with the flow of the story and not get bogged down with unnecessary details. Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials