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MY LAST DAYS AS ROY ROGERS In an Alabama town in the early 1950s during the last polio summer before the Salk vaccine, ten-year-old Tab is about to have the time of her life. Although movie theaters and pools have closed to stem the epidemic, Tab, a tomboy with a passion for Roy Rogers, still seeks adventure with her best friend Maudie May, "The lighest brown colored person" she knows. Now as they meddle with the local bootlegger - Mr. Jake - row out on the Tennessee River to land the biggest catfish ever, and snoop into the town's darkest secrets, Tab sets out to be a hero.... and comes of age in an unforgettable confrontation with human frailty, racial injustice and the healing power of love. Praise for My Last Days As Roy Rogers "Devoto writes beautifully......Like To Kill A Mockingbird, this book paints a distinctly Southern picture of friendship, justice, and the bond between outcasts." -St Petersburg Times "The literary love child of Harper Lee and Mark Twain....With such a delightful debut, her next appearance in print can't come too soon."- Booklist (starred review) "Engaging...graceful....(with)characters finely drawn...Devoto has an ear and eye for the vagaries of family and loyalty." -Denver Post "Offers up a huge, delicious helping of life, Southern style....Made me smile and, at times, laugh out loud." -Birmingham News |
A Note to Teachers
After this novel was published, some high schools and middle schools began placing it on their reading lists. As a result I got together with a group of educators from Alabama and Georgia to produce this teacher’s guide. I have included it here with the thought that you might find parts of it useful if you are teaching the novel. Materials include test questions for each chapter, essay topics, group activities, etc. Everlasting thanks to all the wonderful teachers and librarians who took time out from their busy schedules to help create this multidisciplinary guide.
Pat Cunningham Devoto