Sign in
Books
Kids
Popular
Authors & Events
Gifts & Deals
Audio
Sign In
Look Inside
Sep 16, 2010 | ISBN 9780142416488 | Middle Grade (10 and up) Buy *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program
Jan 22, 2009 | ISBN 9781440699405 | Middle Grade (10 and up) Buy
Jan 26, 2010 | 429 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up) Buy
Also available from:
Available from:
Sep 16, 2010 | ISBN 9780142416488 | Middle Grade (10 and up)
Jan 22, 2009 | ISBN 9781440699405 | Middle Grade (10 and up)
Jan 26, 2010 | ISBN 9780307710574 | Middle Grade (10 and up)
429 Minutes
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 AdultsThe last thing Harry “Dit” Sims expects when Emma Walker comes to town is to become friends. Propertalking, 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
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 fi sh 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. Together Dit and Emma come up with a daring plan to save him from the unthinkable.
Set in 1917 and inspired by the author?s true family history, this is the poignant story of a remarkable friendship and the perils of small-town justice
Harry “Dit” Sims and Emma Walker are the unlikeliest of friends. Emma, the educated twelve-year-old daughter of Moundville’s new postmaster, is all wrong as far as Dit’s concerned. Dit was told the new postmaster would have a boy his same age, not a girl. But the rest of the town is more surprised by the Walker family’s color than whether Emma’s a boy or a girl. But that makes no difference to Dit’s mother. Her rule is to be nice to everyone, and before long, Dit’s glad about Mama’s rule. Emma’s not like anyone he’s ever known. Emma is the first person to ever listen to Dit. Emma also makes Dit think, and about things he’s never given much thought to before, like why the colored kids and the white kids can’t go to school together. Soon Dit’s thinking about a lot more when Doc, who is black and the town barber, is accused of a terrible crime. Dit and Emma know he doesn’t deserve to be punished, and together they come up with a daring plan to save Doc from the unthinkable. Set in 1917 in Moundville, Alabama, and inspired by the author’s family history, this is the poignant story of a brave friendship and the perils of small-town justice.
Kristin Levine 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… More about Kristin Levine
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
Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network
Stay in Touch
By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
