The Luck Uglies

By: Paul Durham

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

The first in a series with the makings of a modern classic, The Luck Uglies is an irresistible cross between Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon, overflowing with adventure, secrets, friendship, and magic.

Rye O'Chanter has seen a lot of strange things happen in Village Drowning: Children are chased through the streets. Families are fined for breaking laws that don't even exist. Girls aren't allowed to read anymore, and certain books—books that hold secrets about Drowning's past—have been outlawed altogether.

Now a terrifying encounter has eleven-year-old Rye convinced that the monstrous, supposedly extinct Bog Noblins have returned. Before the monsters disappeared, there was only one way to defeat them—the Luck Uglies. But the Luck Uglies have long since been exiled, and there's nobody left who can protect the village.

As Rye dives into Drowning's maze of secrets, rules, and lies, she begins to question everything she's been told about the village's legend of outlaws and beasts . . . and what she'll discover is that it may take a villain to save them from the monsters.

This critically acclaimed debut middle grade novel was named an ALA Notable Book and a New York Public Library Title for Reading and Sharing and won the Cybil Award for Middle Grade Speculative Fiction and a Sunshine State Young Readers Award.

Wonderful story

Even my six year old son and 52 year old husband LOVED it! Great family listening experience!

A breath of fresh air!

This book pairs a whimsical, fairy tale like setting with a heartwarming cast of wonderful characters. It does all of the things that a children's book should do and does them all excellently. My favorite element is the abundance of strong and brave female characters.

MY FAVORITES

This is my favorite audio book series for young readers, even at fifty years old.😄 love the stories, adventures and wonderful characters. Fiona Hardingham does a superb performance as narrator. Definite recommendation.

Delightfully vivid & charming!!

This is such a deliciously vivid story. It really kept me engaged the whole time.

Rye is such a wonderful heroine. I absolutely loved her--and everyone in the story, really.

Fiona Hardingham has quickly become one of my favorite narrators. Her tone is steady and just the right amount of animated.

Can't wait to continue on with the series!

A true fan approves!!

We accidentally stumbled upon this book when my youngest was in the third grade and became instant fans of the author and series, reading the books aloud to one another many times over! But this reading brought the story to life more vividly than ever! Couldn’t stop listening. On to the next book!