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23rd out of 104 books
—
460 voters
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had
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. 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. Toge...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
January 22nd 2009
by Putnam Juvenile
(first published January 9th 2009)
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Set in Moundville, Alabama in 1917 this charming juvenile novel was based on the author's grandfather's handwritten memoir.
Folks who didn't grow up in the South may not "buy" that children of different races played together and often became friends, and Levine's story captures perfectly the truth that among White Southerners there was (and still is) a vast difference between those who were (and are) unencumbered by prejudice, those who hold their prejudice inside and allow graciousness and good...more
Folks who didn't grow up in the South may not "buy" that children of different races played together and often became friends, and Levine's story captures perfectly the truth that among White Southerners there was (and still is) a vast difference between those who were (and are) unencumbered by prejudice, those who hold their prejudice inside and allow graciousness and good...more
I loved this book so much. It really shows true friendship when friendships of that type was not allowed in 1918. I also love that kids were just kids and there were no electronics that took their time away from nature. I smiled and almost cried. It was just that good. GO NOW AND READ IT!
A sweet story set in a difficult time period. Kind of Tom Sawyer meets To Kill A Mockingbird. When the young man, Dit, looks forward to a new boy in town to be his friend, he is not pleased to find out the boy is a girl, and she’s black. Not only that, but she’s well-educated, clean, and compared to him, prissy. Their friendship takes a bit to develop, and hits some bumps along the way, but becomes a sweet story. There are dark elements, as is to be expected in 1917 Alabama. The small town seems...more
Dit Sims lives in tiny Moundville, Alabama in 1917. He’s got nine brothers and sisters and his Dad routinely forgets his name. It’s summer, it’s hot and Dit’s best friend is away for the summer. When he finds out that a new postmaster is coming to town, Dit hopes the new postmaster, Mr. Walker, has a son close to his age that will want to go fishing and play baseball.
The postmaster comes, and Dit is disappointed to learn that he doesn’t bring a son, he brings prissy, brainiac Emma who always has...more
The postmaster comes, and Dit is disappointed to learn that he doesn’t bring a son, he brings prissy, brainiac Emma who always has...more
In Moundville, AL in 1917, Harry Otis (Dit) Sims is one of 10 children in his family. He's frustrated that he can't seem to get his parents' attention, and he especially wants his father's approval. Dit is good at baseball and hunting with the "flip it" slingshot he made to shoot rocks. His best friend, Chip, is the mayor's son. When the town gets a new postmaster, Dit has high hopes that he'll have a son, but instead when the Walkers arrive by train from Boston, their only child is a girl about...more
Set in 1917, just as America is entering the war, in Alabama, Best Bad Luck follows the growth of a friendship between a young white boy - raised in the rural south, in a family of 10 - and a young black girl - raised in Boston, the only child of a black postal worker and former nurse. Its very much in the style of Lizzie and The Buckminster's Boy (Gary Schmidt)- sweet, sad and lovely. It also reminded me of the Wednesday Wars (also by Schmidt) with the idea of tragedy vs. comedy, in the Shakesp...more
Dit is excited to hear there will be a new postmaster moving to town and he's doubly excited to hear that the postmaster has a child his age. Disappointment sets in when the postermaster's child is not only a girl, but a black girl. Set in 1917 in southern Alabama, prejudice is a way of life. Reluctantly, Dit starts a friendship with Emma, the postmaster's daughter. He teaches her to skip stones across the lake, throw a baseball, make a cave, and more. Dit and Emma's friendship grows despite tea...more
What a fabulous book! I was hooked by the first paragraph. Dit's voice is so strong in this book, I can't help completely loving him and loving watching his bit of coming of age. I loved seeing Emma through his eyes, as well as everything else. I loved the atmosphere I felt from the book. Amazing writing. Beautiful story complete with humor, honesty, innocence, knowledge, right v. wrong, tragedy, fear, courage, and much more. Knowing this is based on the author's grandfather's experiences, and I...more
This quick read (maybe 3-4 hours?) was great. I kind of wanted to give it 5 stars, but the "It was amazing" part scared me. I decided maybe I was thinking 5 stars simply because I've read some crappy books lately. : ) Either way, I very much enjoyed it.
Apparently, I really like stories of race interactions as I've read a lot dealing with black vs. white. Add the South to it and place it before segregation ended and I really, really am interested to see what happens. The theory of it all is fasc...more
Apparently, I really like stories of race interactions as I've read a lot dealing with black vs. white. Add the South to it and place it before segregation ended and I really, really am interested to see what happens. The theory of it all is fasc...more
1 like · like · see review
May 29, 2009
Alexis
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
EVERYONE!!!!!!!!
Recommended to Alexis by:
Me, myself, and I!
Shelves:
fiction-books,
historical-fiction
I AM NOT LYING ONE LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS BOOK! I THOUGHT I WOULDN'T LIKE IT THAT MUCH, BUT I THOUGHT,'I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT.' It is the BEST BOOK i have ever READ! I AM NOT LYING! It is my new favorite book! It is set in the 1900's like the 1915's-1917's, and it was at a time when blacks and whites did not hang out with eachother. A boy named Dit (I know weird name) meets a "negra" which is what they called them, named Emma, and they become BEST friends. They are about 12 years old, and it tells a...more
Although black, and a girl, the new postmaster's daughter turns out to be a good friend for 12-year-old Dit Sims, desperate for attention in his big family and struggling to navigate the racially charged territory of small-town Alabama in 1918. The friendship slowly develops as they share their different skills and values (his baseball and love for the outdoors, her book smarts and care for animals). Strong southern voice - dialect but not difficult to read. And once the race relations heat up -...more
Stuck in the middle of a family of ten kids in small-town 1917 Alabama, and believing his dad can't even remember his name, 12-year-old Dit Sims is really looking forward to making friends with the new postmaster's son. Problem is: the train rolls into town and the new kid steps out in shiny new shoes and a fancy dress: a girl. And black. And, as it turns out, brainy and not into sports, as if being a girl and black weren’t problem enough. Unexpectedly (to him, not to the reader), Dit and Emma b...more
Set around 1917-1918, this novel was about a young boy growing up in a very small Alabama town. Written from his point of view, he learned about racism, injustice and what being a true friend means. All this he experienced in one year by befriending a colored girl his age who had moved to his town. I liked the way the story flowed and the characters came across as believable. I listened to it on CD and the narrator was very good at voice differentiation and making the story come alive. Although...more
I am always little conflicted when reviewing children's books. I generally have two opinions: my adult response and my "what-I-think-kids-will-think" response.
For children, the author very successfully presented the topic of race relations. The language was concise, accessible, and the story intriguing. The main character, Dit, was well developed. I liked that he didn't always make the right choice. I think kids will really respond to him and injustice presented in the plot.
On the flip (and adul...more
For children, the author very successfully presented the topic of race relations. The language was concise, accessible, and the story intriguing. The main character, Dit, was well developed. I liked that he didn't always make the right choice. I think kids will really respond to him and injustice presented in the plot.
On the flip (and adul...more
In an age when it is not good for a black girl and a white boy to be seen together, Dit and Emma find themselves thrown together to stand up for the rights of one of their friends. Henry Otis, known as dit is excited when he finds out that their new postmasterhas a son. Finally he has someone that he can pal around with all summer. To his surprise the postmaster doesn't have a son, he has a daughter named Emma. Worse yet, Dit's mother has decided that her son should be a gentleman and show Emma...more
I really enjoyed this book. It felt similar to Mildred D. Taylor's books. It deals with a difficult time in history for black/white relations. One review that I read said that you have to "suspend belief" at the end. Yes, things tend to work out neatly, but that is a style that some people like and others don't. Another review said that the first part was long and cumbersome before you get to the meat of the plot. I disagree. The story is very character driven. Dit has to change before he is rea...more
I love this book! It's set back in like the 1930's and it's about the friendship between two very different people, and the struggles they face for each other.
When Emma, a very smart african american who loves to read, moves to a more "richer" neighborhood and Dit is suppose to show her around the town. At first they can't stand each other, but once they get to know each other, They become very close friends. So once Dit's school has a play and the ringmaster is unable to be in the play, Dit s...more
When Emma, a very smart african american who loves to read, moves to a more "richer" neighborhood and Dit is suppose to show her around the town. At first they can't stand each other, but once they get to know each other, They become very close friends. So once Dit's school has a play and the ringmaster is unable to be in the play, Dit s...more
I was hooked on this book pretty much from start to finish and am pleased to announce that this is yet ANOTHER winner from a first-time author this year. I loved the way that the story handled race relations in a realistic yet accessable way for kids, and I definitely see why this one has been talked about as a Newbery contender.
This one might be a hard one to get to kids though just because the cover is really unappealing. It looks more like an inspirational memoir than anything I would have be...more
This one might be a hard one to get to kids though just because the cover is really unappealing. It looks more like an inspirational memoir than anything I would have be...more
The year is 1918, and the setting is a small town in Alabama. Harry Sims (nickname Dit) is thirteen and hoping that the new postmaster will have a boy his age to spend the summer with.
But not only is the postmaster`s child a girl, Emma, but the family is black. In Alabama at this time, there is still a racial division for many things from schools and churches to social situations.
Despite his initial reservations, Dit finds himself discovering a true friend in Emma, but when race raises its head...more
But not only is the postmaster`s child a girl, Emma, but the family is black. In Alabama at this time, there is still a racial division for many things from schools and churches to social situations.
Despite his initial reservations, Dit finds himself discovering a true friend in Emma, but when race raises its head...more
Twelve-year-old Dit is hoping that the new postmaster for his small Alabama town will have a boy just his age so they can play baseball all summer long. It's Dit's bad luck that the postmaster turns out to have a daughter instead. Emma and Dit become friends despite their different races (Emma is black, Dit is white) and when racial tensions escalate in the town, they must figure out how to make things right.
The plot meanders until about halfway through when it seems like the real meat of the st...more
The plot meanders until about halfway through when it seems like the real meat of the st...more
I stayed up until one in the morning because I couldn't put this book down. This is such a simple story with such a powerful meaning behind it. It is always hard for me to decribe the emotions I get when I read a book involving the tragedies of life. When at the same time, rising from those tragedies pours out overwhelming compasion. The lessons of life that this book brought out were beautiful and heartwarming. My wife is a librarian at an elementary school from K-6. I personally struggle with...more
Rather than paint a black versus white picture of the pre-civil-rights South, Levine uses the story of the friendship between a black teenage girl and a white teenage boy to explore the different shades of prejudice of the time period. Everything from acceptance to the ugliest bigotry is present.
The hero acts mostly as an observer of prejudice. His fairly liberal family has not raised him to be racist, and he already has black friends when Emma moves to town. His main objection to her is actuall...more
The hero acts mostly as an observer of prejudice. His fairly liberal family has not raised him to be racist, and he already has black friends when Emma moves to town. His main objection to her is actuall...more
Apr 23, 2009
Talia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Talia by:
Heather Webb
Shelves:
j-fiction,
j-historicalfic
Dit, who lives in a small town in 1917 Alabama, is initially excited when he hears the new postmaster coming to town has a son his age. But when the postmaster and his family arrives, Dit is dismayed to learn that not only is the postmaster’s child a girl, but the family is black. Despite their stark differences in appearance and personality, Dit and Emma become friends, and grow up a little bit as they learn from each other and the world around them over the course of a year.
I really enjoyed th...more
I really enjoyed th...more
Slow to start but the characters were so endearing it became a page turner.
I LOVED this book! It shows, once again, that you can have a wonderful friendship with a person that is totally different than you and learn so much from each other. I loved that Dit was still friends with Emma, even though it was frowned upon and he was teased because of this friendship. If only more of us could be like Dit. As an elementary school librarian, I know that kids (and adults) do judge a book by the cover. I wasn't crazy about this cover until the very end of the book. I liked that...more
A great story about an unlikely friendship.When a new postmaster arrives in Moundville, AL, 12-year-old Dit is surprised to discover that Mr. Walker is African American and that his refined daughter knows nothing about baseball, hunting, or fishing. With his best friend gone for the summer and in search of companionship other than his nine siblings he reluctantly hangs out with proper, opinionated Emma, who tags along with him asking questions and trying to keep up. Gradually, Dit begins to resp...more
Twelve year old Dit was mighty disappointed when the new Postmaster's boy who was also twelve, turned out to be a girl. A colored girl. Not that Dit and his family are prejudiced, but lots of folks in Moundville, Alabama in 1917 are. An unlikely friendship evolves between Dit and Emma as he teaches her how to skip rocks, play baseball, and fish. What she teaches him and what they learn together make for an excellent and moving story.
Other reviewers have called this novel a cross between HUCK FIN...more
Other reviewers have called this novel a cross between HUCK FIN...more
12-year-old Dit is thoroughly bummed when his tiny Alabama town's new postmaster doesn't have a boy his age but rather a daughter named Emma. Not only that, she's black - and in 1917, this can have ramifications. Tensions lead to a horrible situation - and it is Dit and Emma who manage to patch up the fallout. Although that sounds grim, the book's overall tone is easy-going. Dit is just a boy who wants to play baseball, do okay in school, and do the right thing. Emma, luckily, can help him with...more
Loved this book. It seems that with out intending to I keep picking up books that are set in the civil right era. And I am learning that I really love books in that genre. Just like my love for books set during WWII, I think I love reading books where the oppressed people overcome and people learn love and tolerance.
I especially love reading civil rights books from a child's perspective because children are so pure and non judgmental.
This book was very good. I am not sure if I like it or Lions...more
I especially love reading civil rights books from a child's perspective because children are so pure and non judgmental.
This book was very good. I am not sure if I like it or Lions...more
While this book certainly kept my attention, I couldn't help but question the basis of this book: a friendship between a white boy and a black girl in the South after WWI. I mean, I couldn't quite buy into Dit and his family (his father especially) being so color blind. I mean it was the South. In 1917.
I think it would have been more believable for me if Dit's family (being white) exhibited some sort of inner turmoil regarding their views on race, which I imagine was quite an anamoly in the Sou...more
I think it would have been more believable for me if Dit's family (being white) exhibited some sort of inner turmoil regarding their views on race, which I imagine was quite an anamoly in the Sou...more
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“We were almost back to the jail with our second load, and I was just beginning to think we might pull this off, when Uncle Wiggens wandered into the street.
'Who there?' he called out, his words slurred.
Emma ducked behind a tree, but I didn't move fast enough. 'Is that you, Dit?'
I nodded. Something was strange about him.
'What you doing out so late at night?' he asked.
'Nothing.' I figured out what was strange. 'Where's your leg?' I asked. His leg ended at the knee and he was hopping along on one leg and his cane.
'Left it at home,' said Uncle Wiggens. 'Always do when I'm sleepwalking. My daughter warned me about drinking a whole bottle of whiskey in one sitting. But I was never one to let a woman tell me what to do.'
'Yeah. Me neither.'
'Well,' said Uncle Wiggens, 'I'd best get on home before I wake up.'
'Yeah.'
'Being without my leg and all.'
'That would be embarrassing.'
'Sure would. Sure would.' Uncle Wiggens mumbled to himself as he wandered off. 'General Lee always said, if you ain't got all your supplies, don't ride into battle. Course he meant bullets, but he wouldn't have liked us going off without our legs neither. Course most of us have our legs buttoned on, but...”
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2 people liked it
'Who there?' he called out, his words slurred.
Emma ducked behind a tree, but I didn't move fast enough. 'Is that you, Dit?'
I nodded. Something was strange about him.
'What you doing out so late at night?' he asked.
'Nothing.' I figured out what was strange. 'Where's your leg?' I asked. His leg ended at the knee and he was hopping along on one leg and his cane.
'Left it at home,' said Uncle Wiggens. 'Always do when I'm sleepwalking. My daughter warned me about drinking a whole bottle of whiskey in one sitting. But I was never one to let a woman tell me what to do.'
'Yeah. Me neither.'
'Well,' said Uncle Wiggens, 'I'd best get on home before I wake up.'
'Yeah.'
'Being without my leg and all.'
'That would be embarrassing.'
'Sure would. Sure would.' Uncle Wiggens mumbled to himself as he wandered off. 'General Lee always said, if you ain't got all your supplies, don't ride into battle. Course he meant bullets, but he wouldn't have liked us going off without our legs neither. Course most of us have our legs buttoned on, but...”
“Uncle Wiggens ain't really my uncle, everyone just calls him that. He's over eighty and fought in the War Between the States. He only has one leg and one hero, General Robert E. Lee. Uncle Wiggens manages to work Lee's name into pretty much any old conversation. You might say, 'My, it's cold today,' and he'd reply, 'You think this is cold? General Lee said it didn't even qualify as chill till your breath froze on your nose and made a little icicle.' He had about five different stories of how he lost his leg, every one of them entertaining.
That night I was listening to the version that involved him running five Yankees into a bear's den.”
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2 people liked it
More quotes…
That night I was listening to the version that involved him running five Yankees into a bear's den.”
Jul 03, 2011 06:49pm