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.
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"Since Braden finished reading all the 2011 Beehive nominees, he has been begging me to read his favorites. This book was my favorite of the ones I read. I love that he is reading meaningful literature instead of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the like. This is a great story of the segregated south in 1917 and the way two kids from two different worlds become best friends. A great read!"
— Lisa (4 out of 5 stars)
" Good, clean book. Not too deep, just a feel good story. "
— Lori, 2/15/2014" I'm happy I grabbed this book (audio). A well paced historical fiction dealing with a friendship between a white boy and black girl during a time that that was not allowed. Wonderful story of relationships, prejudice, and bravery. Really liked this one. "
— Corinna, 2/15/2014" Natalie recommended this book to me. She kept telling me as she was reading it how much she loved it. It was a very sweet book, VERY well written. Along the lines of Roar of Thunder. It was very touching "
— Melissalar, 2/9/2014" I really enjoyed this book and would give it a 4.5 if that was a possibility. I read it in a day because I just couldn't put it down. A very heartfelt story! "
— Jill, 2/3/2014" Very very good--almost as good as "to kill a mockingbird" they are very similar! "
— Rshelite, 2/1/2014" Race issue, male and female protagonists, Alabama mound country 1918, black girl white boy make friends, really, really friggin good book!!!For mature readers "
— Clem, 1/26/2014" Ordered a set of these for my 5th grade lit circle rotation and read it along with one group. Great book showing how the south was at the turn of the century. Great for discussion on prejudice, friendship, misconceptions, and comparing "the" and "now". "
— Ron-michael, 1/19/2014" I adored this book! It reminded me a lot of To Kill a Mockingbird--racism, friendship, and life through the eyes of children. It was hilarious and moving and really a pleasure to read. I think that everyone should read it. Its fantastic. "
— Megan, 1/19/2014" Great coming of age book about racism. A must read for 10 year olds+ "
— Ecompton, 1/12/2014" Outstanding about prejudice in the South and how it divides a small Alabama town. "
— Donalyn, 12/28/2013" I loved the characters' relationship in this book. It has some offensive language due to the nature of the content: racism, but the time period is something to take into account while reading this fantastic book. "
— Carrie, 11/25/2013" This deserves Newbery buzz. Great debut novel. "
— Kathy, 11/8/2013" Young Adult: This is a charming coming-of-age novel for the pre-teen set. The characters are well-drawn and the story, of a small, early 20th century town in the grips of racial prejudice, is powerful. This would make a nice gift for a young reader. "
— Mary-Ann, 3/14/2013" Not a bad story, but overall not well developed in plot or characters. The cutesy little one-line chapter closers got old pretty fast. But, a decent read anyway. "
— Emily, 1/9/2013" Wonderful story, slightly reminiscent of Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy, sweet and heartbreaking in all the right ways. "
— Afton, 12/8/2012" LOVED this one!! I loved the whole story line and the characters were awesome. This was such a good book. "
— Kathleen, 8/6/2012" Great book. Reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird written for kids. I will be having ALL of my children read this book. "
— Holly, 3/16/2012" I read this book because a friend enjoyed it. Normally I wouldn't read a 'teen fiction' book. I'm glad that I did because I loved it! "
— Kathyhillard, 1/17/2012" Great Southern voice. The two kids, Dit and Emma have a terrific friendship, which I always love in a book. They are wonderful characters who come alive and act like real people. "
— Mary, 7/26/2011" This is a sweet story about two kids--a white boy and a black girl--in Alabama in 1917. I loved the characters and much of the story. Whether it is believable or not--first the friendship, and then the remarkable ending--is another question. "
— Lncropper, 5/19/2011" Very good book. Talks about true friendship. Black history. "
— Shannon, 5/16/2011" Loved this book! It read like a combination of Summer of the monkeys and To Kill a Mockingbird, a southern kid adventure book with racial overtones. I listened to the audio and that was fantastic. I hope I can get some of my kids to read it. "
— Shannon, 4/29/2011" LOVED this book... Like "The Help" for a younger audience. One of the best I've read! "
— Janderson, 4/28/2011" The characters were believable and I really liked them. I think it should be required reading for Jr. High! "
— Dawna, 4/18/2011" Loved this book. Yes. The N word is used throughout but in context -- it is counterbalanced by portrayals of people trying to overcome prejudice Dit (main character) grows throughout the book. <br/><br/>One of my favorites so far. "
— Judith, 3/30/2011" Excellent YA book in a similar vein to To Kill a Mockingbird: some of the same themes, a little less intricate, a little less serious. I didn't want to put it down. The characters are charming, and the friendship that emerges between them is beautiful. Quick, easy read, but rewarding. "
— Jen, 3/29/2011" I loved it! Sweet book about living in the South during Jim Crow. "
— Christine, 3/14/2011" This is a different perspective of a book, that really touched my heart. I think the main character really changed through the story, and that's what I loved about it. "
— Sahana, 3/11/2011" Boring, and ultimately very silly, too. Gump-y audio. "
— Emily, 2/24/2011" What a perfect title for this book. I felt so proud of people in this book. It's bitter sweet. Loved it! "
— Jo, 2/22/2011" Very very good--almost as good as "to kill a mockingbird" they are very similar! "
— Rshelite, 2/5/2011" What a fun easy read. It's a heartwarming story of two kids, one black and one white, who learn to see beyone each other's skin color to become best of friends. It takes place in the deep south back in the early 1900's. I liked it. "
— Connie, 2/2/2011Kristin Levine received her BA in German from Swarthmore College and an MFA in film and electronic media from American University. She spent a year in Vienna, Austria, working as an au pair and has taught screenwriting at American University.
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.