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Dither Farm
When Great Aunt Emma arrives on the normally quiet Dither farm, the Dithers are suddenly plunged into a series of adventures involving a near drowning, a severe case of brain fever, and an experiment in textile aviation.
- GenresFiction
215 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Sid Hite
23 books10 followers“For me, writing books for a living is a grand privilege. I often feel as if I've won some sort of prize.”
Sid grew up in a family of seven in the small town of Bowling Green, Virginia. Sid says that when he was young he “had more energy than brains.” And further states that he “[wishes] it was still that way.”
Sid discovered his passion for novels in his teenage years and decided right then and there to become a fiction writer. He says that he is grateful now that he didn't know how much work was involved in being a writer then.
After high school he traveled for several years through more than twenty countries. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked at several jobs, including farming, bartending, and construction, before his first novel was published. He feels that writing for a living is a privilege.
Sid was named a Publisher's Weekly “Flying Start” for his first novel, Dither Farm. He currently lives in upstate New York.
Sid is a decent amateur juggler.
Sid grew up in a family of seven in the small town of Bowling Green, Virginia. Sid says that when he was young he “had more energy than brains.” And further states that he “[wishes] it was still that way.”
Sid discovered his passion for novels in his teenage years and decided right then and there to become a fiction writer. He says that he is grateful now that he didn't know how much work was involved in being a writer then.
After high school he traveled for several years through more than twenty countries. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked at several jobs, including farming, bartending, and construction, before his first novel was published. He feels that writing for a living is a privilege.
Sid was named a Publisher's Weekly “Flying Start” for his first novel, Dither Farm. He currently lives in upstate New York.
Sid is a decent amateur juggler.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 8, 2025
I read this book before, between one and three decades ago, and had very fond memories of it. We had a renovation years ago where most of our books were stored away inaccessibly; since then we've been gradually reclaiming them. I thought a different book we had found was this one (because I'd forgotten the title) and was so sad when I realized it wasn't it. And then we did find it and I was delighted! But I saved it for when I needed a fun, soothing book.
I guess with such high expectations, disappointment was almost inevitable and I was disappointed. I had remembered it as more of a fantasy, but while there are magical elements, most of the story is realistic. And I misremembered the plot. At one point, I had to force myself to keep going - part of my problem was that I was reading several "bed books" at once, so the story seemed to move slowly, but the last 30% was really exciting. I think it's well worth four stars.
It's set in a rather idyllic rural area in Virginia and begins with a love story between two teens. They eventually marry and are given a farm. The story skips ahead to a summer when they have four children ranging in age from 7 to 12, and another is on the way. The eccentric and apparently ageless aunt who gave the couple the farm brings them an orphaned boy and asks them to keep him for a while. Most of the book is about the five children's adventures that summer and their feelings, also. The adult characters are important, too.
They DO have adventures, too! Some of them are normal wonderful summer in the country things, like I had as a kid, or better. (The only screen we hear of is a movie screen mentioned in passing.) A couple, though, are quite perilous and one is magical. Of course everything works out well.
It's hard to say what age the book is for. I think it's supposed to be for teens, but the main characters are preteens or adults for most of the book. I couldn't read it before I was in my 30s because it wasn't published before then, but I think I would have liked it at 10 or at 17. I think it's fair to say it's for all ages and would make a good family read aloud. But if you read it to kids, I urge you to avoid pointing out morals or asking questions about the consequences of breaking rules. The story speaks for itself.
One plot point that's unusual is that a character - the mother, Clementine - is pregnant, happily, but the baby isn't born in the book. One function of the pregnancy is that it affects the thinking of the oldest child, 12-year-old Holly. Seeing her mother's swelling belly makes her think about her own budding womanhood and eventually leads her to thoughts about a particular boy. I was fascinated by pregnant women as a tween and young teen and it did make me long to be a mother, but I don't remember seeing any mention of these kinds of feelings in any other fiction - or nonfiction either. And this is by a man!
Another thing I like is that a 400-lb man is an accepted and useful member of the community.
I wish I could see young Archibald's chicken dance.
One thing I had forgotten and disapprove of is the pet rhesus monkey Senator. He's a fun and important character in the story, but he's completely unrealistic. The author's ignorance of monkeys is demonstrated by his having Senator hang by his tail at least twice. Rhesus monkeys can't do that - no Old World monkey can. The author also seems to be unaware that monkeys make truly awful pets - they are dangerous, dirty, and an awful lot of work, and it's cruel to them to keep them as pets. Dogs and cats are infinitely better - we've bred them to live with us for millennia and they want to live with us - and we don't have to diaper them. If you read this to your kids or they read it, please do point this inaccuracy out to them!
I guess with such high expectations, disappointment was almost inevitable and I was disappointed. I had remembered it as more of a fantasy, but while there are magical elements, most of the story is realistic. And I misremembered the plot. At one point, I had to force myself to keep going - part of my problem was that I was reading several "bed books" at once, so the story seemed to move slowly, but the last 30% was really exciting. I think it's well worth four stars.
It's set in a rather idyllic rural area in Virginia and begins with a love story between two teens. They eventually marry and are given a farm. The story skips ahead to a summer when they have four children ranging in age from 7 to 12, and another is on the way. The eccentric and apparently ageless aunt who gave the couple the farm brings them an orphaned boy and asks them to keep him for a while. Most of the book is about the five children's adventures that summer and their feelings, also. The adult characters are important, too.
They DO have adventures, too! Some of them are normal wonderful summer in the country things, like I had as a kid, or better. (The only screen we hear of is a movie screen mentioned in passing.) A couple, though, are quite perilous and one is magical. Of course everything works out well.
It's hard to say what age the book is for. I think it's supposed to be for teens, but the main characters are preteens or adults for most of the book. I couldn't read it before I was in my 30s because it wasn't published before then, but I think I would have liked it at 10 or at 17. I think it's fair to say it's for all ages and would make a good family read aloud. But if you read it to kids, I urge you to avoid pointing out morals or asking questions about the consequences of breaking rules. The story speaks for itself.
One plot point that's unusual is that a character - the mother, Clementine - is pregnant, happily, but the baby isn't born in the book. One function of the pregnancy is that it affects the thinking of the oldest child, 12-year-old Holly. Seeing her mother's swelling belly makes her think about her own budding womanhood and eventually leads her to thoughts about a particular boy. I was fascinated by pregnant women as a tween and young teen and it did make me long to be a mother, but I don't remember seeing any mention of these kinds of feelings in any other fiction - or nonfiction either. And this is by a man!
Another thing I like is that a 400-lb man is an accepted and useful member of the community.
I wish I could see young Archibald's chicken dance.
One thing I had forgotten and disapprove of is the pet rhesus monkey Senator. He's a fun and important character in the story, but he's completely unrealistic. The author's ignorance of monkeys is demonstrated by his having Senator hang by his tail at least twice. Rhesus monkeys can't do that - no Old World monkey can. The author also seems to be unaware that monkeys make truly awful pets - they are dangerous, dirty, and an awful lot of work, and it's cruel to them to keep them as pets. Dogs and cats are infinitely better - we've bred them to live with us for millennia and they want to live with us - and we don't have to diaper them. If you read this to your kids or they read it, please do point this inaccuracy out to them!
May 26, 2008
I lov e how the plot of this story escalates almost to a breakonmg point !the characters are lovable, amazing and i want to marry Archibald!
October 12, 2008
I remember thinking as I read this book, if only all books could be as enjoyable. I've enjoyed all others I've read by him, as well.
February 16, 2014
This book reminds me of something Eleanor Estes would write; it's like The Moffat's, but with a little more magic involved. While not the best, it was a nice, light read, sure to make anyone happy.
July 21, 2017
A gentle comic novel about a Southern farm family whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of Aunt Emma and her magic carpet.
March 27, 2011
I'm so glad this book was free. I would've hated to have paid for it. I don't mind rural, episodic fiction, and I certainly don't mind slapstick or drama thrown in. But this book does none of them well. The SFdventure is supposed to be hilarious but isn't. The first half leaders and not in a good way. There are some wonderful descriptions of small town life, such as the country store, but these are rare. Instead, a lot of poorly defined characters are introduced, with many conversations being introductions. The plot includes a swamp, a sick child, a mysterious aunt (who I wasn't all that curious about, since she appears and disappears quickly), a flying carpet, and a kidnapping. Unfortunately its boring and major things only start the last fifty pages or so. I like the conversation about imagination though. Children only fly the carpet once. Now if this was mine, I'd've played with that a bit. Not recommended. It doesn't work as.drama, slapstick or even the screwball story it tries to be in places.
December 20, 2008
just a good story; not trying to accomplish anything other than a good, fun read: pulls it off well.
March 17, 2011
I really liked this book. It was paced well, and the story was great. There were a lot of little anecdotes in it that made me smile.
Great summer weekend book.
Great summer weekend book.
November 27, 2020
Charming and funny! Would make a great summer read-aloud with your kids! Love the characters and relationships with a dash of magic!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews