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Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus
A hilarious picture book about surviving the school bus and the first day of school.
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
January 8, 2012
The overcartoonish pictures and long text that goes for the laugh rather than reassurance is clearly meant for the middle grade set. Parents may find themselves vaguely horrified or uneasy with it, and the book could unnerve very young listeners who are just learning to ride the bus. Think of Captain Underpants style audience and you might be about right. I just worry that many kids the right age might not find this book unless I can put it under their noses.
Also, my own bus experiences were awful to the point of me coming home crying every day because I was bullied and picked on. The book may be funny to some, but I couldn't get as strongly behind the humor.
Also, my own bus experiences were awful to the point of me coming home crying every day because I was bullied and picked on. The book may be funny to some, but I couldn't get as strongly behind the humor.
May 13, 2019
Don’t read this to your kid unless you want them to be terrified of riding the school bus. I couldn’t even get through the whole thing.
April 17, 2019
Lots of words in this one. The illustrations weren’t really to my taste.
March 7, 2013
This book was long. My older boy enjoyed it, but the littles were busying themselves with other play while I read it.
September 3, 2017
Just cute. Would love to use it as a writing prompt.
August 1, 2011
It's the first day of school, and Kyle has never had to ride the school bus before. He's understandably anxious about the experience. Because his older brother James had to do so last year, he offers his younger sibling ten survival tips. Although there is some truth to the tips, they are all generalizations and rules that may be impossible to follow. Sure enough, before Kyle has been on the bus for even a minute, he's already broken several rules. By the end of the day, he's survived despite the tips provided by James. Maybe this bus riding thing won't be so bad, after all.This funny picture book clearly shows that bullies come in many shapes, sizes, and one just might be living with you. The acrylic paint illustrations are delightful, showing a bus driver with raptor-type facial features and a bully, eyes half-hooded, who resembles a grizzly. The text is filled with spot-on descriptive phrases such as when Kyle sees the parked yellow school buses as "a herd of identical yellow rhinos" (unpaginated).
September 18, 2012
This book was an absolute delight to read. From the adorable story about a boy who listens to his borther about riding the school bus, to the illustrations which make the reader laugh, this story was a perfect read aloud for the first few days of school. The message is that, even if others have been through an experience(such as riding the bus), what they experienced, will not be what you experienced. While other kids have "rules" they abide by for school, their rules may not be the same as your rules. The boy in this story finally realizes that the bus is not a scary place, but in fact a place where he feels safe and supported. After being so concerned with the "rules" his brother gave him, and how he broke them all in one day, he survived and came home with a huge smile on his face. This type of story helps students realize that the things they worry about, other children worry about as well; this eases their minds and helps them settle into a new school year, with a new teacher.
February 26, 2015
"Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus" is a very well illustrated and crafted book. The characters are portrayed with animal features. The story focus on Kyle who is extremely nervous to ride the bus. However, Kyle's older brother James created a book full of rules on how to survive a ride on the bus. This book is supposed to be followed very closely so Kyle will not be laughed or yelled at. However, Kyle begins to discover that he actually kind of likes riding the bus.
The major theme of this book is to go into new experiences confident and ready to face challenges.
A class could use this text to create their own rules. The rules could be "Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive Miss. McKee's Room". The students could each write down their own ten rules. Then, students could collaborate in groups and eventually as a whole class. The class will pick just 10 rules they think they need to follow to survive. The teacher will create a poster for the class to look at for reference.
The major theme of this book is to go into new experiences confident and ready to face challenges.
A class could use this text to create their own rules. The rules could be "Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive Miss. McKee's Room". The students could each write down their own ten rules. Then, students could collaborate in groups and eventually as a whole class. The class will pick just 10 rules they think they need to follow to survive. The teacher will create a poster for the class to look at for reference.
September 7, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date: Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus/John Grandits/2011
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book, Comedy, Humor
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: Before Kyle rides a school bus for the first time, his older brother gives him a list of rules he must follow but after breaking every single one the first day, Kyle discovers the rule his brother left out.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: None.
Review citation: Kamin, R. (2011). Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus (Book Review). School Library Journal, 57(7), 67.
Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended
Recommended age: 5 and up
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book, Comedy, Humor
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: Before Kyle rides a school bus for the first time, his older brother gives him a list of rules he must follow but after breaking every single one the first day, Kyle discovers the rule his brother left out.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: None.
Review citation: Kamin, R. (2011). Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus (Book Review). School Library Journal, 57(7), 67.
Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended
Recommended age: 5 and up
May 28, 2014
Great book for grades K-3rd grade. I read it to my kiddos and they absolutely loved it! The illustrations and story-line go together perfectly! Plus, at the Texas Library Association 2014 Conference, I had the ultimate pleasure in listening to the author and illustrator speak on behalf of their book! It was great listening to illustrator Austin describe how his wife modeled for my favorite illustration, the angry bus driver! Be sure to look out for that page!
It's comforting to use at the beginning of the school year, when kids of all ages, have the butterflies in their tummies about riding the bus...even if they're in junior high and high school!
It's comforting to use at the beginning of the school year, when kids of all ages, have the butterflies in their tummies about riding the bus...even if they're in junior high and high school!
February 4, 2012
Not sure who the audience really is for this book. For older readers, sure, it will ring true. But, for a beginner bus-rider, it may just scare the begebees out of him or her. Illustrations are bordering on creepy/scary...and older kids will be ok with that, in fact, they will delight in them. I am just worried about the little guys who are new to all the bullying, front-of-the bus;back-of-the-bus dynamics, and older kids.
Definitely not to be read by a little kid on his own, it needs clarification by parent or caregiver.
Definitely not to be read by a little kid on his own, it needs clarification by parent or caregiver.
July 29, 2011
An older brother gives his little brother, who is riding the school bus for the first time, ten vital rules for bus behavior. I don't think this book is written for the primary school set. It seems geared towards older kids who will nod and laugh about their own bus riding experiences. This book could provide a great conversation starter for bus behavior and children's stories about riding the bus and figuring it out...
July 16, 2011
If were I of the age that I was going to ride the school bus for the first time, I'd be petrified to do so after reading this book. There was also wayyyy too much text for a book aimed at -- what 5 or 6 year olds? It seems aimed more at 3rd-4th graders, who presumably are old pros at riding the bus.
April 3, 2013
2013-14 Texas Bluebonnet nominee. Just fair on this one, it looks like it is for younger readers, but lots of text makes it longer for older elementary readers. Our students school bus experience is limited to primarily field trips - but even for that short of a trip you can enjoy the "last year's barf" aroma!
September 22, 2011
Just lukewarm on this title about Kyle, who is preparing for his first trip on the school bus. His big brother James has a number of rules to avoid trouble...but they seem to backfire. Maybe the old adage, "be yourself" is in order here.
January 16, 2012
This book only works when you remember this kid is older, he isn't riding the bus as a Kindergartener, it doesn't say what age, but I'd say 3rd or 4th grade. This book would be funny to someone in those grades, and kind of terrifying to kids in younger grades.
February 4, 2012
The appealing title is where the appeal stops for me. I don't know what irks me more, the creepy illustration style or the fact that the whole thing is so choked by an excess of text that its longer and of less quality than many short chapter books.
August 29, 2015
This book is very text-heavy, which makes me think a lot of kids will lose interest early on. There are some humorous moments and the comparisons to wild animals is effective, but there are better school-themed books out there.
May 28, 2011
The story is entertaining but the illustrations are quite unappealing.
January 21, 2016
Cute story about advice given by an older brother to his younger brother about riding the school bus.
September 18, 2011
I never took the school bus, and up until a few pages to the end, if I were a kid trying to get psyched up to start riding one, I would be having a major anxiety attack.
February 8, 2012
A little too much text...felt like we were plodding our way through the text. We did enjoy the wonderful illustrations.
April 11, 2013
The cover illustration promising great humor is overtaken by an overlong story, with a not so surprise ending.
August 17, 2013
Wordy but funny.
October 7, 2018
“Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus” is about a first grade boy, Kyle, who is riding the school bus for the first time ever. Kyle’s older brother, James, goes to a school within walking distance but rode the bus to his previous school so he decided to give Kyle ten rules to not break when it came to riding the school bus. Throughout the book, Kyle continuously breaks the rules James gave him. However; while fearing the horrible consequences of breaking those rules, he ends up having very different experiences that lead him to growing in confidence.
The major themes of this book are self-confidence, preparedness, and flexibility. Readers are able to learn the importance of having confidence to face new situations, how to be prepared as well as how to be flexible, especially when things do not go the way that you expect them too.
I related to this book a lot because I grew up riding the school bus to school. I remember the unspoken rules such as, the youngest students sat in the front of the bus while the oldest kids got the very back or how you are not allowed to be loud at the bus stop in the morning since bus loading was at 6:45 AM.
I would recommend this book because it is relatable to most student, comical, and the art work is really unique. The book demonstrates riding the bus like a zoo and uses lots of animal metaphors that students will be able to easily relate too. It is also a very good demonstration of what it means to be prepared for anything but flexible when things change, something that can be hard for younger kids to understand.
The major themes of this book are self-confidence, preparedness, and flexibility. Readers are able to learn the importance of having confidence to face new situations, how to be prepared as well as how to be flexible, especially when things do not go the way that you expect them too.
I related to this book a lot because I grew up riding the school bus to school. I remember the unspoken rules such as, the youngest students sat in the front of the bus while the oldest kids got the very back or how you are not allowed to be loud at the bus stop in the morning since bus loading was at 6:45 AM.
I would recommend this book because it is relatable to most student, comical, and the art work is really unique. The book demonstrates riding the bus like a zoo and uses lots of animal metaphors that students will be able to easily relate too. It is also a very good demonstration of what it means to be prepared for anything but flexible when things change, something that can be hard for younger kids to understand.
February 23, 2020
Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if you Want to Survive the School Bus is a book about a young child’s first time riding the bus to school and back. Kyle is fearful of what might happen, especially since his older brother, James, has given him a list of ten rules that he claims will help Kyle survive the bus. Yet, upon boarding the bus, Kyle is forced almost immediately to break every rule given to him by his brother. As the day goes on and Kyle continues to break his brother’s rules, he learns not everything is nearly as terrifying as his brother makes out to seem. By the end of the day, Kyle learns how to survive the bus through his own experience and even makes a few friends along the way.
An overall theme for this book is that any first-time experience isn’t nearly as frightening as we might think. Most of the time, our brain causes us to be more scared than we should be.
As I read, I couldn’t help but feel happy for Kyle as he grew into himself as the day went on and he learned that riding the bus wasn’t nearly that bad. By breaking his brother’s rules, he gains some friends, even the supposed bully. I loved seeing Kyle become so much more confident by the end of the story.
I would absolutely recommend this book to any child, especially any child that might be fearful of a first experience like riding the school bus, or a first day of school, anything really. I think this book communicates the idea the any first experience can be a scary one very well. Another lesson that could be learned is by being nice to the bully really might mean a lot to him. How Kyle got through his scary first day was by being brave all throughout the day.
An overall theme for this book is that any first-time experience isn’t nearly as frightening as we might think. Most of the time, our brain causes us to be more scared than we should be.
As I read, I couldn’t help but feel happy for Kyle as he grew into himself as the day went on and he learned that riding the bus wasn’t nearly that bad. By breaking his brother’s rules, he gains some friends, even the supposed bully. I loved seeing Kyle become so much more confident by the end of the story.
I would absolutely recommend this book to any child, especially any child that might be fearful of a first experience like riding the school bus, or a first day of school, anything really. I think this book communicates the idea the any first experience can be a scary one very well. Another lesson that could be learned is by being nice to the bully really might mean a lot to him. How Kyle got through his scary first day was by being brave all throughout the day.
October 12, 2017
This story begins with a boy named Kyle and his brother James walking towards a school bus stop. On the way, James gives Kyle ten rules he must follow in order to avoid being bullied on the school bus. Despite Kyle’s great amount of effort, he breaks every single one of James’s rules. After interacting with people that were forbidden in his brother’s rules, Kyle learns to not make assumptions about people without getting to know them first and to have confidence in himself. The major themes of this book are bullying, friendship, and the importance of confidence.
I admired the way the story fused the overall plot and rules together instead of just listing them. I liked how the text connected directly with the illustrations with similes and symbolism. An instance of this is when Kyle first entered the school bus and worried about the reactions of the other students. He imagined himself as a zebra surrounded by lions.
Although it’s true that I appreciated the way art is used to create literal mental pictures, I didn’t really like the art itself. To me, the art seemed too scary and bizarre for k-3rd-grade elementary school students (One example is the bus driver lady being portrayed as a frightening bird and human hybrid). I would recommend this book for students that are in the fourth and fifth grade. With this book, the students can learn how to approach people with an open mind and reinforce the fact that bullying is unacceptable.
I admired the way the story fused the overall plot and rules together instead of just listing them. I liked how the text connected directly with the illustrations with similes and symbolism. An instance of this is when Kyle first entered the school bus and worried about the reactions of the other students. He imagined himself as a zebra surrounded by lions.
Although it’s true that I appreciated the way art is used to create literal mental pictures, I didn’t really like the art itself. To me, the art seemed too scary and bizarre for k-3rd-grade elementary school students (One example is the bus driver lady being portrayed as a frightening bird and human hybrid). I would recommend this book for students that are in the fourth and fifth grade. With this book, the students can learn how to approach people with an open mind and reinforce the fact that bullying is unacceptable.
November 21, 2017
Summary:
James, walked his brother, Kyle, to the school bus for his first day of school. This was Kyle’s first time to ride the bus, so his brother provides him with advise and a list of 10 rules to follow.
The list includes rules on how to not get pounded, how to avoid the school bus bully, how to stay out of the drivers way, and how to avoid talking to girls. This list is very stereotypical and narrow-minded, but at the end of the book Kyle adds an eleventh rule, which is, “never, absolutely never, pay attention to your big brother’s list of Ten Rules you Absolutely must not break if you want to survive the school bus.”
Major Theme:
This book shows readers to be confident and that it is okay not to always follow silly, unreasonable rules.
Personal Response to Text:
I really liked the last page of the book, which is where the eleventh rule is found. However, if children do not read this whole book, or do not make it to the last page, the book may present the wrong idea.
Would you recommend this book?
I would recommend a parent to read this book out loud before a child’s first day of riding the school bus. After the book is completed, I would recommend for the parent to have a follow up discussion on why the 10 rules listed are unreasonable.
James, walked his brother, Kyle, to the school bus for his first day of school. This was Kyle’s first time to ride the bus, so his brother provides him with advise and a list of 10 rules to follow.
The list includes rules on how to not get pounded, how to avoid the school bus bully, how to stay out of the drivers way, and how to avoid talking to girls. This list is very stereotypical and narrow-minded, but at the end of the book Kyle adds an eleventh rule, which is, “never, absolutely never, pay attention to your big brother’s list of Ten Rules you Absolutely must not break if you want to survive the school bus.”
Major Theme:
This book shows readers to be confident and that it is okay not to always follow silly, unreasonable rules.
Personal Response to Text:
I really liked the last page of the book, which is where the eleventh rule is found. However, if children do not read this whole book, or do not make it to the last page, the book may present the wrong idea.
Would you recommend this book?
I would recommend a parent to read this book out loud before a child’s first day of riding the school bus. After the book is completed, I would recommend for the parent to have a follow up discussion on why the 10 rules listed are unreasonable.
November 1, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Awards: Bluebonnet award
Audience: 2nd through 6th grade
A. The main character is nervous for getting on the schoolbus for the first time, which is something that is common for most students in middle school. The boy is trying to follow a set of rules and not get into any sort of trouble on his way to school. This is relatable because the readers can also be nervous about this, or any situation, and be trying to follow some "rules" and be perfect at something.
B. The topic for this book is "life within local and global communities" because part of that topic is learning to find one's place in a community, school, or neighborhood. The boy in this story was attempting to fit in correctly into the bus "community", which makes it that topic.
C. ANALYZE: "In what ways did the boy feel differently about taking the bus at the beginning of the book versus at the end of the book?" At the beginning, he was very nervous about getting on the bus. He was scared of doing all the wrong things. At the end, he didn't care about what people thought, and was even friends with some of the kids he was afraid of at the beginning.
Awards: Bluebonnet award
Audience: 2nd through 6th grade
A. The main character is nervous for getting on the schoolbus for the first time, which is something that is common for most students in middle school. The boy is trying to follow a set of rules and not get into any sort of trouble on his way to school. This is relatable because the readers can also be nervous about this, or any situation, and be trying to follow some "rules" and be perfect at something.
B. The topic for this book is "life within local and global communities" because part of that topic is learning to find one's place in a community, school, or neighborhood. The boy in this story was attempting to fit in correctly into the bus "community", which makes it that topic.
C. ANALYZE: "In what ways did the boy feel differently about taking the bus at the beginning of the book versus at the end of the book?" At the beginning, he was very nervous about getting on the bus. He was scared of doing all the wrong things. At the end, he didn't care about what people thought, and was even friends with some of the kids he was afraid of at the beginning.
February 23, 2021
I think that the story in this book is very humorous and some of it rings true to the things I experienced when riding the bus when I was younger. One concern with reading this to younger elementary students is it might worry them about riding the bus. However, by the end of the book, the moral of the story is that just because one person experienced something a certain way, does not mean that you will have the same experience. Therefore, you should make your own experiences.
I would use this book in upper elementary and read this to students during the first week of school. I think it could even be used as a fun writing prompt like "The 10 rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive third grade."
I really appreciated the illustrations in this book, I think they are very unique and very detailed. For instance, on one of the pages you can actually notice the wear and tear of the jeans during the kickball scene. I think some of the students look a little caricature like, which may be off putting for some readers, but I appreciated the uniqueness.
I would use this book in upper elementary and read this to students during the first week of school. I think it could even be used as a fun writing prompt like "The 10 rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive third grade."
I really appreciated the illustrations in this book, I think they are very unique and very detailed. For instance, on one of the pages you can actually notice the wear and tear of the jeans during the kickball scene. I think some of the students look a little caricature like, which may be off putting for some readers, but I appreciated the uniqueness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews