The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine

Bibliography
Levine, K. (2009). The best bad luck I ever had. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

266 pages

Plot
Harry “Dit” Sims is a twelve year old boy living in Moundville, Alabama in 1917. The postmaster has just transferred, and Dit is eagerly waiting to see the new one, hoping he has a son around his age. Dit soon learns that a Mr. Walker and his family will be travelling from New York to fill the position. However, when they arrive he meets Mr. Walker’s daughter Emma, a young black girl the same age as Dit. Dit and Emma don’t understand each other, as Dit wants to play baseball and climb mountains. Emma on the other hand wants to read. However when Dit begins to see how lonely Emma is and how she is treated differently from himself, he begins to form a friendship. However, will the town understand his relationship with Emma?

Review
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had is an engaging historical fiction novel. In many ways the book feels similar to Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Although Lee’s story is more introspective, Dit is similar to that of Scout in that they both have supportive fathers and begin to take notice of the inequalities. Neither character truly understand why adults act the way they do, but nevertheless have an innate sense of right and wrong. Dit’s experiences with discrimination stem from his friendship with Emma. However, the similarities between the books end there. Dit is an empowering character for readers, using his experiences and creativity to create a better world.

Genre
Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in 5th – 7th grade.

Similar Content
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird
My Mother the Cheerleader by

Personal thoughts
I really enjoyed reading this book. I think that Kristin Levine does an excellent job recreating life in a rural town in 1917.

Subjects/themes
Discrimination
Coming of Age
Friendship
School

Awards
One of ALA’s 2010 Best Books for Young Adults

Series information
No known sequel.

Character names/descriptions
Harry “Dit” Sims: The protagonist of the story. Befriends Emma but must face the consequences when the entire town has issue with the color of her skin.

Emma Walker: A young black girl, whose father has taken a job as the postmaster in a small rural town in Alabama. Smart and loves to read, Emma is constantly proving her worth to the rest of the town.

Doc Haley: The black town barber who initially does not take a stand against the discrimination and abuse due to the color of his skin.

Big Foot: The police captain in Moundville, Alabama. A bigot.

Annotation
"I’ve been wrong a lot. But I ain’t never been so wrong as I was about Emma Walker."