Slumming [Hardcover]

Kristen D. Randle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Everybody has two eyes and a nose and a mouth. What makes some people beautiful and some people not?

Nikki never imagined that this offhand thought would change the course of her senior year forever. But when she poses the question to her best friends, Alicia and Sam, Alicia is suddenly inspired, and the three unexpectedly find themselves launching a "human experiment." It seems like the perfect way to make a difference in their last few weeks of high school: they will each pick a student who needs a little improving and take that person to the prom.

Harmless, right?

When Nikki, Alicia, and Sam quickly become entrenched in their projects, each has to face difficult realizations about the people they have chosen -- and themselves. Before long their own close friendship feels fragile. Will they make it to graduation without hurting one another -- or anybody else?

Acclaimed author Kristen D. Randle has woven an intriguing, insightful, and suspenseful story about three friends who set out to transform others, with unforeseen consequences.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Seniors Nikki, Sam, and Alicia cook up a "Great Idea." Each of them is to choose a person "who is obviously untapped" and through friendship, kindness, and support release that individual's potential. For Nikki, the class nerd Brian is the ideal choice. With a little help she knows that she could turn him into the perfect prom date. Sam chooses Tia with the black lipstick, eyebrow ring, and Nazi shoes. Alicia decides to change Morgan, the school rebel and all-around bad guy. The story, told in alternating voices, veers immediately from the typical Pygmalion scenario. All three teens leave their comfort zone to enter the world of their proteges. For Nikki, it requires working on a school project with Brian and his superbrainy buddy on their turf, but Sam and Alicia both enter worlds in which they are ill prepared to cope. Tia allows Sam into her dark world of abuse where he sees firsthand the extent to which she will go to protect her brother. Alicia insinuates herself into Morgan's life and quickly sees how far apart their worlds are. The alternating narratives personalize the story and show individual character growth. The premise of trying to impose one's ideals and values on others without knowing their circumstances is a life lesson that gives teens much to think about without ever letting the message dominate the storytelling.
Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. In the last several weeks of their senior year, three friends, the only Mormon students in their class, launch an ill-advised project that leads each to a better, if painful, understanding of the world. The plan is for each to befriend a fellow student--someone who seems to need a friend--and then ask that person to the prom. Alicia, Nikki, and Sam choose differently, with different results. Each student narrates short sections within each chapter, creating a distinct personality through voice and thought. The results of Alicia's efforts are a bit too predictable, and her character isn't as strong as that of her friends. But Sam convincingly deals with difficult ethical and emotional issues, and Nikki discovers new aspects of herself in an entertaining way. The fact that these friends are drawn together by religion, which is an integral part of their lives, is particularly refreshing. Kathleen Odean
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060010223
• ISBN-13: 978-0060010225
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,104,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally wrenching, July 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Slumming (Hardcover)

I cried.
How real these characters seemed. How many people have I seen go through similar struggles--divorce, abuse, pain.
It was fascinating to see these things through the eyes of these kids, who were so different than the people that they chose to "befriend".
I felt bad for Nikki. She was lucky in a lot of ways. Her experiment worked out. She enjoyed herself. She was not exposed to unlimited amounts of pain and sorrow. However, she had no idea what her two best friends were going through.
I thought that the character of Alicia's father was very real and vivid. His situation has to be one that so many families have to deal with.
All the characters were very true to life and complex. I couldn't put the book down.

This was a fascinating story, filled with real characters and real feelings.
Read it, you'll love it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, September 7, 2003

By 

"prettylittlecurlycue" (I"LLNEVERTELL!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slumming (Hardcover)

WOW! this was a very good book about three high school seniors who decide to help a few fellow students with "untapped potential". What they don't realize is that these are real people who have real problems, and real lives and feelings. this book had very insightful ideas and was written almost poetically at times. I enjoyed it very much because the characters seemed so real, and things that happened in the book happen all the time in real life-but are often taken for granted. I would definitely recommend this book!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's always nice to read before you review..., January 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Slumming (Hardcover)

I just love it when it's obvious that a review is slamming something he hasn't even read. Like the guy that gave this book one star. Stereotypes. Sure there are stereotypes - and if you read past the third chapter,it's obvious that the "stereotypes" are there because Randle intends to knock them to pieces. This book is about how stupid stereotypes are, and it's about how our own lives are often full of more holes than the lives of the people we're judging. There are sub-plots because this is about all kinds of people, not just one kind. Maybe the one star guy needs to stick with middle-grade readers - fewer characters to confuse, less demanding in terms of analytical thinking.