The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had

by Kristin Levine

Overview

A powerful story about race and an unlikely friendship from award-winning author of The Lions of Little Rock.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

The last thing Harry "Dit" Sims expects when Emma Walker comes to town is to become friends. Proper-talking, brainy Emma doesn't play baseball or fish too well, but she sure makes Dit think, especially about the differences between black and white in the 1910s.

But soon Dit is thinking about a whole lot more when the town barber, who is black, is put on trial for a terrible crime. Together Dit and Emma come up with a daring plan to save him from the unthinkable.


★ “Tension builds just below the surface of this energetic, seamlessly narrated first novel set in small-town Alabama in 1917.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “This classic story of how unlikely persons can change things for the better should appeal to all readers.”—VOYA, starred review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142416488
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/16/2010
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	359,565
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.72(d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Kristin Levine (kristinlevine.com) received her BA in German from Swarthmore College and an MFA in film from American University. She spent a year in Vienna, Austria, working as an au pair, and has taught screenwriting at American University. Currently, she lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her two daughters. She is the author of the critically acclaimed The Best Luck I Ever Had, The Lions of Little Rock, and The Paper Cowboy. 

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

-A fine debut novel by an author to watch.+ -Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Praise for THE BEST BAD LUCK I EVER HAD:

★ “[An] energetic, seamlessly narrated first novel… Levine handles the setting with grace and nuance.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “This classic story of how unlikely persons can change things for the better should appeal to all readers.”—VOYA, starred review 

"A fine debut novel by an author to watch."—Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will find humor in his candid account, universality in his dilemmas and blunders, and inspiration in his friendship with Emma and their mutual desire for social justice."—School Library Journal

"Levine’s story treats racism frankly and with no mincing of words. The highlight of this coming-of-age journey comes from watching the two kids learn about the world and come to care about each other in the way of 13-year-olds."—Booklist

From the Publisher

Gr 5–9—Kristin Levine's stellar novel (Putnam, 2009), set in a small Alabama town in 1917, is a coming-of-age story that deals with segregation, racism, social justice, and friendship. Twelve-year-old Harry "Dit" Sims was hoping that the new postmaster would have a son his age, but instead Mr. Walker, an African American, has a daughter. Emma, a smart and confident girl, arrives from Boston in a dress and shiny shoes and always has a book with her. Dit likes to hunt, fish, and play baseball. Their friendship evolves as Dit finds his way through unchartered territory, while some residents of the town frown upon it and a few are dangerously angry. Dit grows to realize that the color of Emma's skin does not make her any less of a best friend and that the views of some townspeople are unjust. When the town's barber, who is black, is arrested and accused of a terrible crime, Emma and Dit work together to try to make things right. Kirby Heyborne's narration is superb, drawing listeners into the emotions the characters are experiencing. With fully voiced and clearly distinct personalities and perfectly paced accents, Heyborne vividly brings each character to life. This is an ideal audiobook for classroom listening with rich discussion potential, and a must-have for school and public libraries.—Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

Taken from Levine's family history, this story tells of the life-altering friendship between a white Alabama farm boy and an African-American city girl. Kirby Heyborne effectively portrays Harry, better known as "Dit," the 12-year-old narrator of the story. His enthusiasm is evident as he stands at the train station awaiting the arrival of the new postmaster and his 12-year-old son. You hear all the disgust and disappointment in Dit's voice when he realizes that the boy is not only a GIRL but also black! Young Dit is believable as he slowly risks friendship with Emma, teaching her baseball while admiring her broader experience. The friendship leads him to question the status quo and find the courage to act against his town's Jim Crow justice. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2010 - AudioFile