Eighth-grader Emma Macintyre is mourning the loss of her aunt Jenny and struggling to keep her own best friend from drifting away when she receives a mysterious letter telling her to write a list of ten lucky things she wants to happen. The note promises that by the end of the month her luck will change and she will get everything she wants. But could it be true? At first, Emma's luck does seem to be changing-she gets a great role in the school play, and her mom surprises her with a new phone. But before long, things take a turn for the worst. In the end, Emma learns that luck is not a thing that happens to you; it is everything that happens to you.