The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had [Paperback]

A powerful story about race and an unlikely friendship from award-winning author ofThe 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. 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
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

★ “Thisclassic story of how unlikely persons can change things for the bettershould appeal to all readers.”—VOYA, starred review 

A fine debut novelby an author to watch. —Kirkus Reviews

Readers will find humorin his candid account,universalityin his dilemmas and blunders, andinspirationin 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 watchinglc(