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Rules of the Road #1
Rules of the Road
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 crowd for 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 stop Elden Gladstone from taking over his mother's company and turning a quality business into a shop-and-schlock empire. Now Jenna Boller shoe salesperson is about to become a shoe-store spy as she joins her crusty old employer for an eye-opening adventure that will teach them both the rules of the road and the rules of life.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
119 people are currently reading
3487 people want to read
About the author
Joan Bauer
26 books886 followersFrom: 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 an early fascination with things that were funny. I thought that people who could make other people laugh were terribly fortunate. While my friends made their career plans, declaring they would become doctors, nurses, and lawyers, inwardly I knew that I wanted to be involved somehow in comedy. This, however, was a difficult concept to get across in first grade. But I had a mother with a great comic sense (she was a high school English teacher) and a grandmother who had been a funny professional storyteller, so I figured the right genes were in there somewhere, although I didn't always laugh at what my friends laughed at and they rarely giggled at my jokes. That, and the fact that I was overweight and very tall, all made me feel quite different when I was growing up--a bit like a musk ox at a tea party.
My grandmother, who I called Nana, had the biggest influence on me creatively. She taught me the importance of stories and laughter. She never said, "Now I'm going to tell you a funny story," she'd just tell a story, and the humor would naturally flow from it because of who she was and how she and her characters saw the world. She showed me the difference between derisive laughter that hurts others and laughter that comes from the heart. She showed me, too, that stories help us understand ourselves at a deep level. She was a keen observer of people.
I kept a diary as a child, was always penning stories and poems. I played the flute heartily, taught myself the guitar, and wrote folk songs. For years I wanted to be a comedienne, then a comedy writer. I was a voracious reader, too, and can still remember the dark wood and the green leather chairs of the River Forest Public Library, can hear my shoes tapping on the stairs going down to the children's room, can feel my fingers sliding across rows and rows of books, looking through the card catalogs that seemed to house everything that anyone would ever need to know about in the entire world. My parents divorced when I was eight years old, and I was devastated at the loss of my father. I pull from that memory regularly as a writer. Every book I have written so far has dealt with complex father issues. My dad was an alcoholic and the pain of that was a shadow that followed me for years, but I've learned things from that experience that have made me resilient. I attempted to address those issues in Rules of the Road, and I took them even further in the companion book, Best Foot Forward. The theme that I try to carry into all of my writing is this: adversity, if we let it, will make us stronger.
In my twenties, I worked in sales and advertising for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill, WLS Radio, and Parade Magazine. I met my husband Evan, a computer engineer, while I was on vacation. Our courtship was simple. He asked me to dance; I said no. We got married five months later in August, 1981. But I was not happy in advertising sales, and I had a few ulcers to prove it. With Evan's loving support, I decided to try my hand at professional writing. I wish I could say that everything started falling into place, but it was a slow, slow build -- writing newspaper and magazine articles for not much money. My daughter Jean was born in July of '82. She had the soul of a writer even as a baby. I can remember sitting at my typewriter (I didn't have a computer back then) writing away with Jean on a blanket on the floor next to me. If my writing was bad that day, I'd tear that page out of the typewriter and hand it to her. "Bad paper," I'd say and Jean would r
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 an early fascination with things that were funny. I thought that people who could make other people laugh were terribly fortunate. While my friends made their career plans, declaring they would become doctors, nurses, and lawyers, inwardly I knew that I wanted to be involved somehow in comedy. This, however, was a difficult concept to get across in first grade. But I had a mother with a great comic sense (she was a high school English teacher) and a grandmother who had been a funny professional storyteller, so I figured the right genes were in there somewhere, although I didn't always laugh at what my friends laughed at and they rarely giggled at my jokes. That, and the fact that I was overweight and very tall, all made me feel quite different when I was growing up--a bit like a musk ox at a tea party.
My grandmother, who I called Nana, had the biggest influence on me creatively. She taught me the importance of stories and laughter. She never said, "Now I'm going to tell you a funny story," she'd just tell a story, and the humor would naturally flow from it because of who she was and how she and her characters saw the world. She showed me the difference between derisive laughter that hurts others and laughter that comes from the heart. She showed me, too, that stories help us understand ourselves at a deep level. She was a keen observer of people.
I kept a diary as a child, was always penning stories and poems. I played the flute heartily, taught myself the guitar, and wrote folk songs. For years I wanted to be a comedienne, then a comedy writer. I was a voracious reader, too, and can still remember the dark wood and the green leather chairs of the River Forest Public Library, can hear my shoes tapping on the stairs going down to the children's room, can feel my fingers sliding across rows and rows of books, looking through the card catalogs that seemed to house everything that anyone would ever need to know about in the entire world. My parents divorced when I was eight years old, and I was devastated at the loss of my father. I pull from that memory regularly as a writer. Every book I have written so far has dealt with complex father issues. My dad was an alcoholic and the pain of that was a shadow that followed me for years, but I've learned things from that experience that have made me resilient. I attempted to address those issues in Rules of the Road, and I took them even further in the companion book, Best Foot Forward. The theme that I try to carry into all of my writing is this: adversity, if we let it, will make us stronger.
In my twenties, I worked in sales and advertising for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill, WLS Radio, and Parade Magazine. I met my husband Evan, a computer engineer, while I was on vacation. Our courtship was simple. He asked me to dance; I said no. We got married five months later in August, 1981. But I was not happy in advertising sales, and I had a few ulcers to prove it. With Evan's loving support, I decided to try my hand at professional writing. I wish I could say that everything started falling into place, but it was a slow, slow build -- writing newspaper and magazine articles for not much money. My daughter Jean was born in July of '82. She had the soul of a writer even as a baby. I can remember sitting at my typewriter (I didn't have a computer back then) writing away with Jean on a blanket on the floor next to me. If my writing was bad that day, I'd tear that page out of the typewriter and hand it to her. "Bad paper," I'd say and Jean would r
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 622 reviews
June 21, 2010
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 story about business and ageism--romance is but briefly mentioned and brushed aside. These women are business-minded and empathetic in a way rarely seen in female characters. Both Jenna and Mrs. Gladstone show that women can be brutal businesswomen without being stone-cold bitches.
Proof that not all books about females are about female concerns. Books about women can be, in fact, books about the world just the same way books about men are. If only more people would write books about women that weren't romances that perpetuate stereotypes.
Updated to add: Passes the Bechdel Test, handily: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
Proof that not all books about females are about female concerns. Books about women can be, in fact, books about the world just the same way books about men are. If only more people would write books about women that weren't romances that perpetuate stereotypes.
Updated to add: Passes the Bechdel Test, handily: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
May 26, 2022
Jenna is anything but a regular teen girl. She stands taller than most boys at 5'.11", she is obsessed with her job at a shoe store, she only has one friend, her father is an alcoholic, and her home life is spent trying to protect her younger sister. So, when Jenna is offered an anything but regular job to drive the owner of the shoe company she works for, Gladstone Shoe Stores, to Texas to stop her son from forcing her to retire, Jenna is eager to accept. She can finally escape the troubles of her life, and find new experiences on the road.
The further she drives with old Ms. Gladstone, though, the more wrapped up Jenna becomes in the transfer of the shoe company. For the first time, Jenna begins to understand how to stand up for what is right, both on the road, in Texas, and perhaps even in her own home.
Jenna started out as a kind of dorky characater, and I loved watching her turn into the strong, fearless girl the book ended with. I loved the author's attention to detail on the fine points of the shoe company, and the fight for quality rather than profits in the profit-oriented economy was on point. Watching Jenna learn how to deal with her alcoholic father and how to help him, and herself, was a fantastic sub plot, and it was written very well for a touchy topic.
Those of you who know me, know that I'm not the biggest fan of travel books. However, I had high hopes for this book, considering the character has my name, and this book did not disappoint! One star taken away because the character's personalities didn't blend well with mine, but that is totally a preference thing. Definitely recommend as a quick, enjoyable read!
The further she drives with old Ms. Gladstone, though, the more wrapped up Jenna becomes in the transfer of the shoe company. For the first time, Jenna begins to understand how to stand up for what is right, both on the road, in Texas, and perhaps even in her own home.
Jenna started out as a kind of dorky characater, and I loved watching her turn into the strong, fearless girl the book ended with. I loved the author's attention to detail on the fine points of the shoe company, and the fight for quality rather than profits in the profit-oriented economy was on point. Watching Jenna learn how to deal with her alcoholic father and how to help him, and herself, was a fantastic sub plot, and it was written very well for a touchy topic.
Those of you who know me, know that I'm not the biggest fan of travel books. However, I had high hopes for this book, considering the character has my name, and this book did not disappoint! One star taken away because the character's personalities didn't blend well with mine, but that is totally a preference thing. Definitely recommend as a quick, enjoyable read!
October 10, 2017
Jenna learns that she's more than her height, and learns how to cope with her alcoholic father, and Mrs. Gladstone learns some things too. Unfortunately, the details of the shoe business and the road trip read as if the author researched them at a distance; they don't feel authentic. And they're as key to the story as the characters, so that's a problem. Still, Bauer's always worth reading if you're into realistic MG and young YA.
At least here there's no romance, much less triangle or choice! Definitely passes the Bechdel test!!
At least here there's no romance, much less triangle or choice! Definitely passes the Bechdel test!!
August 28, 2017
Jenna Boller, a 16 year old high school student, has a part-time job at Gladstone's Shoes. When her father comes to the store drunk to make one of his sporadic visits to her, she is afraid that she will be fired. On the contrary, it is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery that she will make with her boss.
This YA novel is told with compassion and good humor and is a great primer for teens struggling with issues of co-dependency and low self-esteem. Even as an adult, I found the book enjoyable with good life lessons along the way.
This YA novel is told with compassion and good humor and is a great primer for teens struggling with issues of co-dependency and low self-esteem. Even as an adult, I found the book enjoyable with good life lessons along the way.
August 8, 2024
Best book ever!!! Highly recommend it - a new favorite!
January 2, 2025
My sister was supposed to read this book as her reading program book, but she hasn't yet been able to....I was told that this would be a literature book, but when I read it-it felt more like a coming-of-age-genre type book.
*Partial Spoiler*:
Still it was not disappointing, Alice & Mrs. Glastone were badass female characters, Jenna's dad was a complete dissapointment, while Elden (I still cannot get over the name, like what kind of name is that, although.... trashy name fitting for a trashy character...) was without a doubt an ass, and Harry was just a sweetheart that the world did not deserve. I would have loved to read a book where Harry were alive, but alas, I don't think it possible with how the book ended, (not that it was a bad ending in my opinion).
Although...I do kind of wish there was more exchangment/convo between Jenna and her dad at the end. I think I might leave the series here, I don't really want to read the next book, I might, but I'm really upset about Harry who's most likely not going to make an appearence in the next book.
*Partial Spoiler*:
Still it was not disappointing, Alice & Mrs. Glastone were badass female characters, Jenna's dad was a complete dissapointment, while Elden (I still cannot get over the name, like what kind of name is that, although.... trashy name fitting for a trashy character...) was without a doubt an ass, and Harry was just a sweetheart that the world did not deserve. I would have loved to read a book where Harry were alive, but alas, I don't think it possible with how the book ended, (not that it was a bad ending in my opinion).
Although...I do kind of wish there was more exchangment/convo between Jenna and her dad at the end. I think I might leave the series here, I don't really want to read the next book, I might, but I'm really upset about Harry who's most likely not going to make an appearence in the next book.
March 4, 2024
4.5⭐
I really enjoyed this book by Joan Bauer, it's probably one of my favorites now.
I really enjoyed this book by Joan Bauer, it's probably one of my favorites now.
June 11, 2024
As I read about Jenna Boller's life I found I was reading about someone not much different than myself. I began to see myself in the pages and in Jenna as Joan Bauer took me along for a ride I would eventually realize I know all to well. Reading Rules of the Road felt like I was sitting with an old friend who understood me and knew all the right things to say. You could say Rules of the Road was like my own Harry Bender. This book puts into words all the things I never knew how to say and taught me a few valuable lessons on the way that I didn't know I needed.
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March 8, 2017I’ve been noting which books I’ve read before, and trying to note what I thought of them at the time because I think my thoughts on them from when I actually was a teen are valuable. I don’t remember when I read this one, but I remember enjoying it, liking the writing, and going on to read more by Bauer. And I picked up a used copy when I ran into one. So that’s a fair level of commitment. I didn’t remember anything at all about it, but as soon as I began it I recognized it.
When Jenna’s boss demanded that she spend her summer chauffeuring her on a road trip, Jenna was not about to give up her lunch breaks with her best friend or her passion for selling footwear. Jenna reconsiders, however, as her alcoholic father returns to town and dredges up feelings she wishes would stay put behind her. Deciding to escape town with her aging boss, Jenna develops friendships, learns some life lessons, and gets a taste of mild corporate intrigue.
While Jenna’s voice can be a little precocious, it works for her character as the oldest child of an alcoholic and as a teen desperate for a place in the adult world. I’ve never heard anyone so passionate for working in retail (other than bookstores…), but she definitely has me sold on the value of Gladstone shoes. I have to say, (spoilers!) . I’m a sucker for a road trip story, and Bauer hits all the notes of self-growth and inspiration. Some may find Jenna’s wholesomeness and optimism a hurdle to enjoying the story, but I’m a sucker for that kind of thing done well, which this is. Grades 6-10.
When Jenna’s boss demanded that she spend her summer chauffeuring her on a road trip, Jenna was not about to give up her lunch breaks with her best friend or her passion for selling footwear. Jenna reconsiders, however, as her alcoholic father returns to town and dredges up feelings she wishes would stay put behind her. Deciding to escape town with her aging boss, Jenna develops friendships, learns some life lessons, and gets a taste of mild corporate intrigue.
While Jenna’s voice can be a little precocious, it works for her character as the oldest child of an alcoholic and as a teen desperate for a place in the adult world. I’ve never heard anyone so passionate for working in retail (other than bookstores…), but she definitely has me sold on the value of Gladstone shoes. I have to say, (spoilers!) . I’m a sucker for a road trip story, and Bauer hits all the notes of self-growth and inspiration. Some may find Jenna’s wholesomeness and optimism a hurdle to enjoying the story, but I’m a sucker for that kind of thing done well, which this is. Grades 6-10.
June 26, 2015
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 he comes back every now and then. He is always in worse shape than before, and Jenna is ashamed of him. Her sister Faith, still doesn't get why her dad can't stay away from alcohol, since she was too young to remember how bad her Dad was when he had something to drink. When Ms. Madeleine Gladstone offers her a job as a chauffeur to drive her to visit other Gladstone stores, Jenna decides to accept. She just wants to leave home, where her dad has decided to come back and stalk them some more. Her trip is one that changes her life, her view of Ms. Gladstone, and gives her the strength to face her father and save Gladstone stores from being sold to Ms. Gladstone's no good son, Elden.
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 he comes back every now and then. He is always in worse shape than before, and Jenna is ashamed of him. Her sister Faith, still doesn't get why her dad can't stay away from alcohol, since she was too young to remember how bad her Dad was when he had something to drink. When Ms. Madeleine Gladstone offers her a job as a chauffeur to drive her to visit other Gladstone stores, Jenna decides to accept. She just wants to leave home, where her dad has decided to come back and stalk them some more. Her trip is one that changes her life, her view of Ms. Gladstone, and gives her the strength to face her father and save Gladstone stores from being sold to Ms. Gladstone's no good son, Elden.
April 8, 2014
Not nearly as good as I hoped it would be. Can't figure out how this book won any awards. I have some students who chose this as the book they wanted to read next and so they are, but I doubt I will ever include it on a book list again. Characters are too weak and shallow and there were few if any notable passages that were uniquely written.
December 5, 2015
I first read this about two years ago. It was just as good as I remember.
The characters are interesting, witty and relatable. The dialogue is witty, believable, and hilarious. And I mean hilarious!! There are some definite laugh-out-loud moments, and with such strong characters with diverse personalities it was thoroughly enjoyable to read :D
Also, there was plenty of wisdom and strong life-lessons in the book. I kinda felt that I grew along with Jenna in her journey.
And I could easily relate to Jenna. I often feel ugly and self-conscious, and when I saw myself in some of her situations, I learnt from her actions.
It was very well written.
The characters are interesting, witty and relatable. The dialogue is witty, believable, and hilarious. And I mean hilarious!! There are some definite laugh-out-loud moments, and with such strong characters with diverse personalities it was thoroughly enjoyable to read :D
Also, there was plenty of wisdom and strong life-lessons in the book. I kinda felt that I grew along with Jenna in her journey.
And I could easily relate to Jenna. I often feel ugly and self-conscious, and when I saw myself in some of her situations, I learnt from her actions.
It was very well written.
December 11, 2011
I loved this book. From Jenna's love of her job in a shoe store to her road trip with her boss, I enjoyed reading about her perspective on things. And I thought that Joan Bauer did a fantastic job of capturing what it's like to be a teen with an alcoholic father. I could relate to Jenna's feeling of wanting to crawl in a hole and die when her dad showed up drunk at her job, and I think that's part of what made me love this book so much.
May 26, 2019
4.25 stars—Once again, Joan Bauer does not disappoint. Alternately humorous and touching in all the right places, with beautifully stated and illustrated wisdom.
April 26, 2019
I'm still on my nostalgia tour through my middle school reads. I think one of the reasons that I became a librarian is all the books I read in the summers when I was still too young for a summer job, aside from baby sitting. I loved the library, it was my haven and escape.
Anyway, Rules of the Road was a great summer read when I first read it. Sixteen year old Jenna Boller works part-time in the Gladstone shoe store, and is a natural shoe salesperson, with great interpersonal instincts. She loves her job. Her family life is difficult because her father is an alcoholic, who refuses to change. When she is offered the job of driving Gladstone's owner, Madeline Gladstone for the summer, she jumps at the chance to escape her circumstances for a while.
Anyway, Rules of the Road was a great summer read when I first read it. Sixteen year old Jenna Boller works part-time in the Gladstone shoe store, and is a natural shoe salesperson, with great interpersonal instincts. She loves her job. Her family life is difficult because her father is an alcoholic, who refuses to change. When she is offered the job of driving Gladstone's owner, Madeline Gladstone for the summer, she jumps at the chance to escape her circumstances for a while.
July 2, 2023
Jenna’s story made me laugh, cry, and get angry. I absolutely adore this book. The relationship that develops between Mrs. Gladstone and Jenna is so special. They are able to learn so much from each other and Jenna is able to appreciate the person that she becomes along the way.
I am adding this to my favorites list!
I am adding this to my favorites list!
July 18, 2018
Recommended by a friend. A quick, fun read with some cute quirks and the occasional surprising twist. I loved Jenna's shoe-sense. Caution: her father is an alcoholic, and the impact of that is pretty clear, which is probably why this book is classed YA.
June 14, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! I found that parts of it were relatable in so many ways to things I have been through in my life, and even some of the things I’m still going through now.
“So much sadness. So much pain. But remembering the good things — that’s what keeps anyone going.” - Rules of the Road ❤️
“So much sadness. So much pain. But remembering the good things — that’s what keeps anyone going.” - Rules of the Road ❤️
May 27, 2017
Very engaging YA book which i just finished narrating as a recorded book
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October 10, 2017LOVED IT CANT WAIT TO CHECK OUT SEQUEL!
November 23, 2020
A charming and uplifting young adult novel.
April 29, 2021
3.75
Nothing will ever beat Hope was Here, but this comes pretty close.
Nothing will ever beat Hope was Here, but this comes pretty close.
August 11, 2021
Solid 3.5/5 stars.
I read this at some point with my mom and brother in elementary/middle school and remembered liking it. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it this time around. While it's got a lot of heart and touches on heavy topics, the author has a great sense of humor. I rarely laugh aloud at books, but this one had me giggling quite a bit. Fun, heartfelt, easy read. Also learned a lot about buying shoes.
I read this at some point with my mom and brother in elementary/middle school and remembered liking it. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it this time around. While it's got a lot of heart and touches on heavy topics, the author has a great sense of humor. I rarely laugh aloud at books, but this one had me giggling quite a bit. Fun, heartfelt, easy read. Also learned a lot about buying shoes.
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December 20, 2022I read this to help some of my students who are reading it. A good book that covers a variety of deep topics and focuses on the strength of people.
December 24, 2023
pretty short, just kinda meh
more towards middle grade, idk just not my fav kind of book
more towards middle grade, idk just not my fav kind of book
October 27, 2022
This book made me feel pride in my tallness
😝
😝
June 9, 2023
For work / never miss a good opportunity to shut up! This was a great book with some resonant wisdom. Sometimes that wisdom was delivered a little too didactically for me. Great book overall.
November 4, 2020
I've struggled to read throughout the pandemic. This was a breath of fresh air, much more about the importance of shoes than any lessons on highway driving, with a protagonist you rooted for with every mile she traveled. I loved her shoe-salesperson-centric philosophy about the world. The ending was perhaps a bit too optimistic for my cynical 2020 perspective, but I'm looking forward to returning to this book in a few years, just as I have with Hope Was Here for the past 15 years or so.
January 4, 2023
I needed this book. An easy read, Devil wears Prada-y.
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November 14, 2021Strong girl who overcame her past... and her treatment for the elderly was so nice. 👞👢👡👟🥾
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