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39th out of 138 books
—
1,236 voters
Rules of the Road (Rules of the Road #1)
by
Joan Bauer
Meet Jenna Boller, star employee at Gladstone Shoe Store in Chicago. Standing a gawky 5'11' at 16 years old, Jenna is the kind of girl most likely to stand out in the crowdùfor all the wrong reasons. But that doesn't stop Madeline Gladstone, the president of Gladstone's Shoes 176 outlets in 37 states, from hiring Jenna to drive her cross country in a last ditch effort to s...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
July 7th 2005
by Corgi Childrens
(first published May 4th 1998)
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Name of book: Rules of the Road
Author: Joan Bauer
Pages: 201
Genre: fiction
Reading Level of book: 5.9
Exposition (4-6 sentences)
Jenna is a devoted shoe salesman at Gladstone and has recently gotten her drivers license. She is offered a job to drive the CEO, Mrs. Gladstone from Chicago to Texas. She leaves her family behind to accompany Mrs. Gladstone on a trip ending at the Gladstone’s headquarters. It is very painful for her to leave little sister, her mother, and her grandmother with Alzheimers...more
Author: Joan Bauer
Pages: 201
Genre: fiction
Reading Level of book: 5.9
Exposition (4-6 sentences)
Jenna is a devoted shoe salesman at Gladstone and has recently gotten her drivers license. She is offered a job to drive the CEO, Mrs. Gladstone from Chicago to Texas. She leaves her family behind to accompany Mrs. Gladstone on a trip ending at the Gladstone’s headquarters. It is very painful for her to leave little sister, her mother, and her grandmother with Alzheimers...more
Dealing with the very tough topic of alcoholism and the way in which it impacts those in contact with the alcoholic, Bauer appears to know this topic well.
As the oldest child of an alcoholic father, Jenna has learned the games involved, the lies, the deceit and the shame. She has learned all too well how to feel responsible and guilty. When her near do well father breezes into town drunk once again, she decides to take advantage of a unique opportunity.
Working as a shoe sales person in Gladstone...more
As the oldest child of an alcoholic father, Jenna has learned the games involved, the lies, the deceit and the shame. She has learned all too well how to feel responsible and guilty. When her near do well father breezes into town drunk once again, she decides to take advantage of a unique opportunity.
Working as a shoe sales person in Gladstone...more
Jenna is sixteen years old. She absolutely loves her job, and strives to best serve each of the customers that walk into Gladstone’s Shoes Store. She seems to have quite the knack for it, too. She is also very close to her mom, sister and grandmother. So why does she so eagerly accept an invitation to spend her summer break driving the elderly, demanding Mrs. Gladstone across the country? It is simple. Jenna needs an escape. She needs to get away, clear her head. Why? Daddy’s back in town, and J...more
I thought that this is one of Bauer's best books yet! I love how she transforms what people consider a lowly job into something of interest.
Jenna is normal, and one thing I love is that the author doesn't emphasize on what she looks like. She works at Gladstone's, a shoe store, where she is passionate about selling shoes. As the book went on I began to wish that I sold shoes too. Jenna has a sister, Faith, a witty mom, and an alcoholic dad. Her mom, Jenna, and Faith left her dad years ago, yet...more
Jenna is normal, and one thing I love is that the author doesn't emphasize on what she looks like. She works at Gladstone's, a shoe store, where she is passionate about selling shoes. As the book went on I began to wish that I sold shoes too. Jenna has a sister, Faith, a witty mom, and an alcoholic dad. Her mom, Jenna, and Faith left her dad years ago, yet...more
Sixteen-year-old Jenna Boller is having a hard enough time dealing with the thrills of her every day hectic life and her being six feet tall doesnt help to make matters better. With her father as an alcoholic that's basically out of her life, Jenna has to care for her picture-perfect sister and her grandmother with Alzheimers who she fequently visits at the nursing home. To help her mother make ends meet, Jenna works at Gladstone's shoe store. Jenna finds a passion in selling shoes and truly car...more
To start off, this is a very short read. I’d say it’s a great book to read in between two larger, more complex books, because it is nice break from everything.
The story is a very cute one I must say. One that I have never read before and one that not many could pull off…but Joan Bauer did. Its not the ordinary love story, or tragic tale of a misfit teen.
Jenna is a teenage girl who “worships” her drivers license, yet she doesn’t have a car to drive. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t trying to get o...more
The story is a very cute one I must say. One that I have never read before and one that not many could pull off…but Joan Bauer did. Its not the ordinary love story, or tragic tale of a misfit teen.
Jenna is a teenage girl who “worships” her drivers license, yet she doesn’t have a car to drive. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t trying to get o...more
This is the kind of book about women that the world needs, which is to say it is in no way chick-lit. The protagonist is an ugly-duckling teenager who loves to sell shoes and chaffeurs her 70-something boss around the midwestern and southern US. The majority of the book is spent with this teenage girl, who is anything but frivolous, and a hard-as-nails septuagenarian. There are a couple kind-hearted shoes salesmen and a drunken father, but these are just bit parts. At this book's heart is a stor...more
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Oct 11, 2012
Cherylann
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
realistic-fiction,
ya
I feel like I've been reading books about quests lately. My last two books were fantasies in which the heroes and heroines headed off on a quest to save either the world or their clan and restore balance to the world. In Rules of the Road, the protagonist is not a demi-god or a vessel. She's just a 16 year old girl. A 16 year old who works part-time selling shoes and hopes to earn enough money over the summer to buy a car. Jenna never expected Mrs. Gladstone, the aging owner of a chain of shoe s...more
I really liked this book for many reasons. I thought that the themes in the book were fabulous and very deep. One of the main themes was change, and I thought the author did a great job of really showing character change internally and externally. Jenna has many problems in her life, and towards the end of the book, there are clear examples of how she has changed. For example, on page 189, Jenna is in a car with her father. He is drunk driving, and in the past Jenna would have pleaded him to sto...more
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Jenna is a teenage girl who works as a shoe saleswoman in the mall for a store called Gladstone Shoes. She loves selling shoes, and is really good at what she does.When the head of the company-grumpy old Mrs. Gladstone-hires Jenna to drive her from Chicago to Texas over the summer, Jenna is excited for the trip, but nervous to spend so much time with Mrs. Gladstone. The two embark on a journey that neither one will forget as they attempt to stop Mrs. Gladstone's son Elden from taking over the co...more
I decided to read this book because I've always loved Joan Bauer's books. But this book was one of the best. Rules of the Road is about a girl named Jenna who works for Gladstones shoe store in Chicago. She is one of the best employees at the store and always knows exactly what every customer wants and needs and she makes sure that every customer leaves her satisfied and happy and with the right pair of shoes. Mrs. Gladstone, (the founder of the company) is retiring at the end of the year. So,...more
Jenna reminds me of many of my students in being placed in a position which calls on her to be mature and responsible beyond her years. She has issues with her alcoholic father, and struggles with her awkward 5'11" stature that leaves her feeling unattractive next to her model-to-be younger sister. She lives by a motto of "Cope or die". She is fortunate that her mother, an emergency room nurse, is strong, patient, and caring. She is lucky in that she finds a job selling shoes that resonates wit...more
Fantastic; I can't give this one enough stars. I'm particularly impressed with the characterization and voice of Bauer's 16 year old protagonist. There is no condescension, no "dumbing-down." It is obvious that she has great respect for teenagers and their strength of character, their capacity to think and to reason and to contribute, when given the opportunity, in even the most serious situations, and their potential to effect positive outcomes as a result of their own free will. I'd love to te...more
This book was very boring.
The girl is a clerk or whatever at a shoe store, who's asked to chaperon her boss around the country. Her son wants to take over the business, but the old lady knows what would happen if she let him do so, so she tries to stop him, with the help of who could possibly be the best shoes salesman she has under her employment.
There were parts I thought were good, but there were also parts I found to be down-right boring, which happened to be the majority of this 201 page...more
The girl is a clerk or whatever at a shoe store, who's asked to chaperon her boss around the country. Her son wants to take over the business, but the old lady knows what would happen if she let him do so, so she tries to stop him, with the help of who could possibly be the best shoes salesman she has under her employment.
There were parts I thought were good, but there were also parts I found to be down-right boring, which happened to be the majority of this 201 page...more
This was a comfort re-read and it worked just great. I love all of Joan Bauer's books, but this one might just be her best-- although Hope Was Here is pretty outstanding too. I think it's really the delicacy and intelligence with which Bauer handles Jenna's alcoholic dad that separates this book from more standard teen fare, especially when combined with the funny, innovative and fully-realized main plot. While the happy ending for the main plot is reached somewhat improbably, it obeys the inter...more
There was something about this book that felt very real, in spite of the fact that the corporate world was portrayed in black and white terms (new = moneygrubbers, old = perfect), and in spite of the fact that I was continually slammed out of the story whenever the author described Mrs. Gladstone as "old": "old hands", "shook her old head", etc. (Enough is enough.)
Jenna and her entire family felt like people I could walk up to in the street and have a fully realized conversation with. They're no...more
Jenna and her entire family felt like people I could walk up to in the street and have a fully realized conversation with. They're no...more
Jenna is a teen shoe salesperson who recently started to drive. She is asked to drive her retiring shoe storeowner across country to go to a board of director’s meeting. The owner is a crotchety old lady. Along the way both Mrs. Gladstone (the shoe store owner) and Jenna warm up to each other. Jenna learns the importance of standing up for what she believes in from Mrs. Gladstone. They team up to try and save the shoe stores from being taken over.
This novel is a 2002 California Young Reader Me...more
This novel is a 2002 California Young Reader Me...more
Jenna works at a shoe store in Chicago with a long history. When the elderly owner asks her to take a summer job driving her from Chicago around to stores from there to the headquarters in Dallas, Jenna learns more than just improved driving skills.
This was a humorous story with some heartwarming spots to make you love the main character. Jenna learns tons about business when Mrs. Gladstone's son is trying to sell out the business to a huge warehouse chain. But even more she learns how to deal w...more
This was a humorous story with some heartwarming spots to make you love the main character. Jenna learns tons about business when Mrs. Gladstone's son is trying to sell out the business to a huge warehouse chain. But even more she learns how to deal w...more
So sincere and inspiring, Bauer's work surpassed my expectations. Jenna is an up and coming shoe salesgirl, although she's only 16 and newly licensed. So, when she has the opportunity to drive cross-country for the head of the shoe company, she takes it as a challenge and chance to explore. And, explore she does, to the point where she discovers more about herself and her experiences and how to cope with the realities of her situation at home.
"I was sitting at the library study table. My grandm...more
"I was sitting at the library study table. My grandm...more
This book grabbed me from the start. I identified with many themes in the story. Jenna works retail and loves it. I also love working in retail. She has a father who has not been there for her the way she needed him to. I can understand that. She is growing up as the oldest daughter of a single mom. Been there done that. This book also illustrates the decline in small business and quality in our country. It made me long for the good old days. I walk away from the book with a desire to support sm...more
Feb 10, 2010
Eleanor Boateng
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-read-during-eighth-grade
When I first picked up this book I never thought of the things me and Jenna will have in common and how many times my mind will drift off and dream of my own road trip.
Jenna Boller never had a normal life. From her father being a drunk and hardly being home, to her massive heigt, to her job at shoe store you'll unserstand. Jenna grew up in a difficult life. When she was younger her father had he rlie to people on the phone, whoich led to Jenna not being much of a phone person. Also Jenna never c...more
Jenna Boller never had a normal life. From her father being a drunk and hardly being home, to her massive heigt, to her job at shoe store you'll unserstand. Jenna grew up in a difficult life. When she was younger her father had he rlie to people on the phone, whoich led to Jenna not being much of a phone person. Also Jenna never c...more
You really can't do much better than Joan Bauer for a readable, likable, realistic novel. Her characters are so well done, the reader gets a sense of every personality without long, dull, descriptive passages. And they (the characters) grow in believable ways throughout the book - not too much, but definitely. Her writing is not morally heavy-handed, either.
In _Rules of the Road_, Jenna Boller escapes from the complications of her life in Chicago by being hired as the driver for rich Mrs. Madel...more
In _Rules of the Road_, Jenna Boller escapes from the complications of her life in Chicago by being hired as the driver for rich Mrs. Madel...more
I loved this book so much. I had to read it for a graduate literature course that I'm taking and I'm so glad it was assigned. I'm not sure I would have picked it out on my own because I've never seen it anywhere before. The story is a coming of age tale of a young girl who is hired to drive an elderly woman across the country one summer. The relationship between them as well as the inner and outer conflict they face make this a novel that leaves you with a good feeling when it's over. The charac...more
I think Joan Bauer is becoming my favorite YA author! I love every book of hers that I have read so far, and this one is no exception. The characters are bigger than life and the storyline is wonderful. The subplots (Jenna's grandmother with Alzheimers, her alcoholic father, etc.) are woven into the main story very skillfully and add additional depth. Jenna's personal and social maturation are something to behold as she deals with her alcoholic father, relates both compassionately and honestly t...more
Jenna, a teen with a brand new license and a knack for selling shows, heads to teaxs with the founder of Gladstone Shoes on a mission to save the company from being taken over by Mrs.Gladstones greedy son. Along the way she learns more about herself, gains confidence, and learns how to deal with her alcoholic father.
I liked this book, I thought it was funny that this young 16 year old girl loved selling shoes. The characters were fun and some of the things Jenna thought were really funny and ma...more
I liked this book, I thought it was funny that this young 16 year old girl loved selling shoes. The characters were fun and some of the things Jenna thought were really funny and ma...more
Going into this book, I didn't really know what to expect. The blurb did not seem appealing to me. When I was presented with it, I was like what the heck why not try it? The beginning of this novel didn't capture me but it didn't leave me running away either. Rules of the Road is about a 16 year old gorl named Jenna. She is described as extreamly tall and "like her body parts were glued on." She is also described as a very good sales employee at Gladstone Shoe Store. Her boss, Gladstone, offers...more
RULES OF THE ROAD is about a girl named Jenna. Jenna works at Gladstone’s shoes and is a shoe selling legend. Mrs. Gladstone, the owner admires Jenna's work and asks her to spend her summer driving her to all her different shoe store locations. The catch is Jenna has just learned how to drive a car. Jenna and Mrs. Gladstone travel all across the USA from Chicago all the way to Dallas. On their way they met very important people, and some tragic things happen. While issues happen to Mrs. Gladston...more
I wanted to like this book. I love that the main character is good at something, even if it is something kind of weird and mundane. I love that the main character knows she's good at this and takes advantage of how she's good at it for her benefit and to help other people. But this book just fell flat for me, Newberry Honor book or not. I didn't feel it at all and if that means I'm an evil, soulless woman, then that's what it means. The ending was contrived and unrealistic. The secondary charact...more
Cute story that shares some similarities with the theme and characters of Hope Was Here. Both have main characters who've been dealt a rough deal in terms of one or both of their parents. In the case of Jenna Boller, it's her alcoholic father, in Hope's case it's a bio-mom who had no time to be a mom and dumped Hope on her sister and no dad. Both find love and self-esteem through characters they meet along the way. For Jenna, it's Harry Bender, top shoe salesman for Gladstone's shoes and 23 year...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awesome book! | 4 | 23 | Mar 01, 2012 06:06pm |
From: http://www.joanbauer.com/jbbio.html
July 12, 1951 - I was born at eleven A.M., a most reasonable time, my mother often said, and when the nurse put me in my mother's arms for the first time I had both a nasty case of the hiccups and no discernible forehead (it's since grown in). I've always believed in comic entrances.
As I grew up in River Forest, Illinois, in the 1950's, I seem to remember a...more
More about Joan Bauer...
July 12, 1951 - I was born at eleven A.M., a most reasonable time, my mother often said, and when the nurse put me in my mother's arms for the first time I had both a nasty case of the hiccups and no discernible forehead (it's since grown in). I've always believed in comic entrances.
As I grew up in River Forest, Illinois, in the 1950's, I seem to remember a...more
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“My grandma always said that God made libraries so that people didn't have any excuse to be stupid.”
—
549 people liked it
“It seemed to me that the people who made the rules of the road had figured out everything that would help a person drive safely right down to having a sign that tells you you're passing through a place where deer cross. Somebody should stick up some signs on the highway of life.
CAUTION: JERKS CROSSING.
Blinking yellow lights when you're about to to something stupid.
Stop signs in front of people who could hurt you.
Green lights shining when you're doing the right thing.
It would make the whole experience easier.”
—
22 people liked it
More quotes…
CAUTION: JERKS CROSSING.
Blinking yellow lights when you're about to to something stupid.
Stop signs in front of people who could hurt you.
Green lights shining when you're doing the right thing.
It would make the whole experience easier.”
