Customer Reviews

A. G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A very funny look at high school life thru the eyes of a cool girl. The way it is set up is there are 10 or 12 sections or quotes taken from the High School Rule Book. Then, they tell the story that corresponds with rule section. This format fits the story very well, and is very inventive from a writer's standpoint. It is a cool look at high school life. The girl wants to be a writer, and tries to get something published in the school journal. The only problem is its by a die hard cynic who doesn't like her. Its an endearing story. In a way, it is like several ministories tied into one, the character going thru her high school career. The ending is well conceived, and has real meaning. Be yourself. Excellent book!

Also recommended: No Flying in the House. Classic Faerie Tale story.

I wish I had the foresight to buy more of Ellen Conford's books from the late 70s, early 80s. I reread this book probably once a year, because it still is very funny and speaks to all the fears and dreams a teenage girl has. I always loved Ellen Conford, because she wrote about normal kids who did their homework, didn't do drugs and had both good and bad teachers in their classes. Julie is a great heroine because she's pretty normal, and therefore you can relate to her, her crushes, her family, her friends and her insecurities. As always, the moral is that you, as a teenaged female, are just great the way you are. Another plus for Ms. Conford.

I agree with the last two reviewers.

I read this book (from the library) a number of times when I was in Junior High School (20 years ago - ouch!), and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have only sort of vague memories of it (the main character 'joins' different religions based on religious holidays to get her out of gym class - who has ever heard of Zoroastrianism?) but remember laughing out loud.

I came across this book years ago while working in my high school library and the librarian recommended it to me, saying she had always enjoyed it. After reading it, it immediately became a favorite. The writing is smart and witty, and while dated certainly (the protagonist compares a favorite teacher to Robert Redford) it doesn't hamper one's ability to enjoy the characters and plot. In high school especially, it was easy to relate to the woes of the characters as they maneuvered the difficulties of growing up and just getting through class each day.
When finished reading, I ended up introducing the book to our school's book club and it became the one book we all own and read over and over (it gets quoted at least once a month!) The book isn't the Great American Novel, but it certainly is worth an afternoon or two of reading for sheer entertainment value. As mentioned in previous reviews, anybody 13 years old or up (or anybody looking to rediscover their 13 year old self) will enjoy this light, funny read.

In "Missing You" by John Waite, there's a line that says, "You don't know how desperate I've become..." That perfectly describes my reading experience in the last two to three years. At thirty-nine years-old, I have now reverted to Young Adult Fiction.

Growing up, I was always a fan of Ellen Conford and I guess without the benefit of more expansive library collections, more in touch librarians, current book lists and the internet, this book slipped by me. I just happened to find it on here and hustled to my library to request it. I couldn't be happier that I did. This book is amazing to say the least. Funny, witty, smart and a host of other superlatives can't begin to describe how much I loved this book. There were spots where I didn't just snicker at the hilarity, I actually howled.

When it comes to YA Fiction, Ellen Conford can do no wrong. I'm looking forward to catching up on a few more of her books that I missed.

I recommend this selection to anyone who wants a funny, wholesome, down to earth, imaginative read. This is a wonderful story from an incredible storyteller.

An EXCELLENT book! I give it 5 stars! A++++++! =-) I was skimming the book shelf of my teachers class looking for a book to read for my next test and I came accross this book. It looked like a good book and it was. I loved it so much that I kept the book and reread it 5 times!
~Fran

I am only 13, but I really do belive this book is one of the best. I read it last year, and I hadn't seen it at my school library since. I found it acouple days ago and I have read it twice already. If you read only one book this week, month, year, or lifetime, make it this one.

This was my favorite book back in grade school. I must have read it several dozen times. Somewhere along the way I lost the book, and realized that I needed it again. It's just as good now, about 20 years later, as it was then. It's still funny, sweet, intelligent, and with a good, clean, accessibly writing style. It's not *too* dated, even though it was written before I was born! (Today's children may be confused by lack of cell phone use). I will continue to treasure this book like an old friend.

I just bought a couple copies of "the Handbook" for my neices. They're a little young yet, Jr. High, but I couldn't wait to have them read my very favorite book from years ago. Some of the details are a bit dated, (and a bit hazy to me now), but everything else is timeless--although, when they screwed up MY class schedule, I wasn't lucky enough to get all lunches and study hours! This is a must read for ALL teens.

I also read this book for the first time when I was in junior high school (about 12 years ago), and I completely agree with the above reviewer who asks why quality books like this one are no longer in print, while the Sweet Valley High series (and other books of that ilk) proliferate. Ellen Conford ranks up there with Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, and Betsy Byars for quality books aimed at adolescents. My one regret with Conford's books is that I only borrowed them from the library, and never bought a single one.