Slave Day

by Rob Thomas

Overview

Keene Davenport has called for a student walkout to protest his school’s annual “Slave Day” fundraiser, but it’s not exactly working. Shawn Greeley, the first African American student council president of Robert E. Lee High, continues to preside over the auctioning of student reps to serve as book-toters, chauffeurs, and lunch-fetchers for the day. So Keene chooses an alternative path of civil disobedience: Assuming that a day of degradation ought to open Shawn’s eyes, Keene decides to “buy” Shawn to be his slave, no matter what the cost—and launches a series of life-changing events in the process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442468092
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	06/12/2012
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Rob Thomas is the creator and executive producer of the television series Veronica Mars. He is also a cocreator and executive producer of the cable television series Party Down. In addition to his television work, Thomas is the author of five young adult books for Simon & Schuster including Rats Saw God, Slave Day, Satellite Down, and Doing Time: Notes From the Undergrad. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Katie, daughter Greta, and son Hank. Visit him at SlaveRats.com.

Editorial Reviews

At a Texas high school's annual auction, teachers and student council members go to the highest bidder. "The book will be welcomed by readers looking for a reflection of their own struggles," said PW. Ages 12-up. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

"Slave Day" is a tradition at Robert E. Lee High School. Student Council Representatives and select teachers are auctioned off to the student who bids the highest. They become slaves for the day. Told from the perspectives of seven different students and one teacher, this beautifully crafted novel shows how one day can change the lives of beauty queens, geeks, class clowns and football players. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but as in Thomas's first novel, Rats Saw God, the characters are so well drawn and distinct from one another that it isn't too difficult. Slavery, race, male/female relationships, right and wrong are all issues that are explored here. This book lends itself well to classroom discussion.

Children's Literature - Dori Butler

Gr 9 UpA cleverly written story that is funny, but that has an underlying serious theme. Slave Day at Robert E. Lee High in Deerfield, TX, is a traditional fund-raising event. Keene Davenport's call for a boycott of the auction of student-body officers and willing faculty members is a surprise, especially to his fellow African-American student-body president, Shawn Greeley. According to Shawn, Slave Day "is good clean fun," Keene firmly relives that it is a reflection of southern racism. The plot consists of alternating narratives of several students and a much-disliked teacher, Mr. Twilley, during their day as slaves and masters, carrying books, running errands, chauffeuring, etc. Thomas's quirky humor leads readers and the main characters on a soul-searching experience as themes of equality, racism, feminism, and affirmative action emerge through this intelligently written novel. As with any class of high school students, some are sexually active and some express themselves through profanity and raw language. The final consciousness-raising in the characters' attitudes makes this book a winner. Like Chris Crutcher and Paul Zindel, Thomas has made a distinct contribution to contemporary young adult literature.Judy R. Johnston, Auburn High School, WA

School Library Journal