These Are the Rules

by Paul Many

Introducing a new author to Knopf Paperbacks in a hilarious, fast-paced story of a tortured summer romance--from the guy's point of view.  "In this debut novel, Many adroitly captures the nuances and ironies of teenage ups and downs with irreverent humor and contemporary dialogue.  The book is well crafted and nicely layered with metaphors...Many is an author to watch."--School Library Journal. "Laugh-out-loud funny, Many's story is the archetypal YA first-person narrative of the sensitive, bumbling teenager trying to figure out the `rules': about dating, and girls, and driving, and where he's going. It will move teens and engender wry recognition."--Booklist  

Genres: Young Adult

139 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

About the author

Paul Many is both a teacher and writer who lives with his family in Toledo, OH.

Reviews

[Nathan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

December, These are the Rules by Paul Many

These are the Rules by Paul Many is a great book with a lot of characters. There is the main character named Colm who is a teenager who got a job with his uncle and want to swim across the lake Thats outside his house. Then there is Marlene a girl that goes out to the middle of the lake to read and cheer Colm on when he tries to swim the lake. Also a character named Carmella is a girl that somehow got five years older over the summer.
There are plenty of themes but there is one specific theme. That's theme is of the summer romance of a boys point of view. Another is never give up on your hopes. Colm always wanted to swim across the lake and he did. Colm had a crush on Carmella and when he thought he was talking to Marlene about Carmella he was talking to Carmella.

[Hermioneginny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colm ha finito il penultimo anno del liceo e passerà l'estate con la madre e i fratelli sul lago. È imbranato con le ragazze, non ha ancora la patente e il rapporto col padre è sempre più difficile. Servirebbero proprio delle regole per capire come comportarsi...o no?

Non mi ha trasmesso molto se non delusione, peccato.

* Tieni lo sguardo rivolto alle stelle, ma non stupirti se metti un piede su una buccia di banana.

[Nilay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colm's parents have just separated and he doesn't get along well with his father who seems to be very controlling. In fact, Colm ends up quitting the swim team although he loves to swim because he can't take all the pressure anymore. Now it's up to Colm to gain the courage to confront his dad and also try to swim around the lake of their summer house for no one else but himself.

[Amy Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read dozens of these young adult novels set in summer homes near a lake, teenage drama, coming of age, etc. etc. They are somewhat comforting to me and I enjoy them. This was pretty typical and I cringed at some of 17 year old Colm's thoughts and actions but it was a fun and quick read.