Joan Bauer Books In Order

Rules of the Road Books In Order

  1. Rules of the Road (1998)
  2. Best Foot Forward (2005)

Novels

  1. Squashed (1992)
  2. Thwonk (1995)
  3. Sticks (1996)
  4. Backwater (1999)
  5. Hope Was Here (2000)
  6. Stand Tall (2002)
  7. Peeled (2008)
  8. Close to Famous (2011)
  9. Almost Home (2012)
  10. Tell Me (2014)
  11. Soar (2016)
  12. Raising Lumie (2020)

Collections

  1. This Family Is Driving Me Crazy (2009)

Rules of the Road Book Covers

Novels Book Covers

Collections Book Covers

Joan Bauer Books Overview

Rules of the Road

Meet Jenna Boller, star employee at Gladstone’s 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. Joan Bauer lives in Darien, CT.

Best Foot Forward

Jenna Boller is back from her life altering trip to Texas, dripping with instant maturity. She’s got a new job as assistant to Madeline Gladstone, Director of Quality Control for Gladstone Shoes, and a handsome prot g named Tanner Cobb. But balancing all these responsibilities with the angst of junior year and her needy family isn t easy, especially when she s uncovering nefarious dealings at a mysterious shoe factory called Plant 453 and her prot g happens to be a shoplifter. Jenna finds it difficult to trust Tanner, although his street smarts might be just what she needs when the going gets tough filling so many shoes is a tall order! But Jenna s sense of humor keeps her grounded and helps her understand maturity is a work in progress. Once again, Joan Bauer has written a sure footed, funny, and poignant novel about honesty, self esteem, the demands of loyalty, and the redemptive power of sole.

Squashed

Sixteen year old Ellie Morgan’s life would be almost perfect if she could just get her potentially prize winning pumpkin, Max, to put on about two hundred more pounds, and if she could lose twenty herself. With the extra weight, Max would be the shoo in champion at the Rock River Pumpkin Weigh In. Ellie could then become a famous pumpkin growing personality and squash that obnoxious Cyril Pool once and for all. With a trimmer figure, Ellie would have the courage to approach Wes, the new boy in town and former president of the Agriculture Club at Gaithersville High. But with unpredictable weather threatening Max, pumpkin thieves running rampant, and Sweet Corn Coquette contestants eyeing Wes, the pressure is great as Ellie seems ready to take on the world. ‘Fast paced and engrossing entertainment that startles the reader with its underlying strength.’ Publishers Weekly, starred review ‘Skillful plot development and strong characterization are real strengths here. Ellie’s perceptive, intelligent, and funny narrative keeps the story lively right up to its satisfying conclusion.’ School Library Journal, starred review

Thwonk

‘ ‘You and I are going to drive to Peter’s house,’ I shouted with ecstasy. ‘You are going to zap him with a poisoned arrow and I’m going to live happily ever after!’ I grabbed my car keys, flung on my black bomber jacket, and headed to my Volvo and destiny.’ A.J. has two passions photography and her crush on Peter Terris, the most popular guy in school. Enter Jonathan, a tiny cupid offering A. J. a wish in one of three categories: academics, art or romance. Without hesitating, A. J. chooses romance despite her dream of getting into arts college. But magic can be unpredictable, and ultimately A.J. will have to decide what’s worth fighting for: Peter’s charmed love or the truth she can find through her camera lens and in herself. ‘It’s to Bauer’s credit that this wacky ride through adolescent affairs of the heart never grows predictable…
.A fine romance with plenty of hitches.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Bauer’s buoyant narrative will elicit chuckles as it delivers its message Thwonk! with the accuracy of a well aimed arrow from Cupid.’ Publishers Weekly

Sticks

There’s only one thing in the world Mickey Vernon really wants, and it’s hanging in the window of his family’s pool hall. It’s an awesome shirt that says Vernon’s Pool Hall Youth Tournament Champion, Cruckston New Jersey, and the winner of the tento thirteen year olds’ nine ball tournament will have the honor of wearing it. For a ten year old, Mickey is one fantastic pool player. But to win the shirt, he’s going to have to beat Buck Pender. Buck is three years older, is probably part gorilla, and has been pushing Mickey and his friends around since forever. Even with coaching from Arlen Pepper, math brain and loyal best friend, Mickey figures he’s doomed.

But then a bearded stranger in a cowboy hat rolls into town in a Peterbilt truck the ultimate. Joseph Alvarez is an ace with a pool cue. Even more important, he knew Mickey’s pool champion father, who died when Mickey was a baby. But he’s also a man with a past and Mickey’s mother doesn’t want Joseph spending time with her son. Mickey has absolutely got to talk his mother into letting this man teach him his dad’s pool secrets.

Amazing triple bank shots, fifth grade heroics, and desperate measures to deal with unreasonable mothers add up to a hilarious novel about pool, parents, and trying to be the best.

Backwater

Ivy Breedlove’s family is driving her crazy. Generations of Breedloves have been prominent lawyers and her relatives expect her to follow suit. ‘We’ll make her a lawyer yet!’ they pronounce at a family reunion. Well, not if Ivy has her say. But how do you have your say when the voices surrounding you are so loud? Ivy’s passion for the past provides an answer. As she works on completing a history of her illustrious family, she discovers other Breedlove women who broke the mold, including her father’s sister Josephine. No one will talk about the reclusive Aunt Jo, so when Ivy hires a wilderness guide to find her, her family is less than thrilled. Armed with her thirst for knowledge, Ivy undertakes a dramatic journey up an icy mountain and into the Backwater to try to find someone, perhaps, like herself.

Hope Was Here

When 16 year old Hope, waitress extraordinaire, moves cross country to Wisconsin with her aunt Addie to run the Welcome Stairways Diner, Hope isn’t sure she’ll fit in. But she quickly finds herself involved in the small town’s mayoral race, as G. T., owner of the diner, surprises everyone with his entry into the race. After all, G. T. has leukemia. And his opponent is the previously undefeated longtime mayor. Some think G. T. is crazy, but Hope sees the goodness and power in him. Will everyone else see it too? Joan Bauer, known for creating strong, unique, feminine characters, finds in Hope a sharp hero*ine who won’t soon be forgotten. Praise for Joan Bauer:’Jubilant, strong, and funny, this is a road trip to remember.’ The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred Big Picture review for Rules of the Road ‘Rich with engaging characters…
and dramatic tension in a well paced plot, this is another great read from Bauer.’ School Library Journal review for Backwater

Stand Tall

Size matters, but Tree needs convincing. At six feet, three and a half inches, he’s the tallest seventh grader in the history of his school, and people expect big things. But he’s not good at basketball, he looks much older than he feels, and his parents’ divorce is all too new. He copes by helping people like his grandpa, a Vietnam vet who’s just had part of a leg amputated, and Sophie, a new girl who’s being taunted at school. Taking things apart helps, too. He learned that from Grandpa. And in the process of seeing how lamps get rewired and laser pens work, in Grandpa’s powerful memories of the Vietnam War, in helping an old soldier learn to walk again, in Sophie’s insistence that Tree be himself, he begins to heal from the divorce and learns to Stand Tall. But when a flood threatens his home, Tree’s new found confidence is put to the test. Newbery Honor winning author Joan Bauer’s story, packed with memorable characters and her trademark humor, is about finding purpose in tough times. And it’s about Tree’s giant heart, not his giant size, making him a hero.

Peeled

Something’s rotten in the heart of apple country! Hildy Biddle dreams of being a journalist. A reporter for her high school newspaper, The Core, she s just waiting for a chance to prove herself. Not content to just cover school issues, Hildy s drawn to the town s big story the haunted old Ludlow house. On the surface, Banesville, USA, seems like such a happy place, but lately, eerie happenings and ghostly sightings are making Hildy take a deeper look. Her efforts to find out who is really haunting Banesville isn t making her popular, and she starts wondering if she s cut out to be a journalist after all. But she refuses to give up, because, hopefully, the truth will set a few ghosts free. Peeled is classic Joan Bauer, featuring a strong hero*ine, and filled with her trademark witty dialogue, and problems and people worth standing up to.

Close to Famous

A novel full of heart, humor, and charm from Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer! When twelve year old Foster and her mother land in the tiny town of Culpepper, they don’t know what to expect. But folks quickly warm to the woman with the great voice and the girl who can bake like nobody’s business. Soon Foster who dreams of having her own cooking show one day lands herself a gig baking for the local coffee shop, and gets herself some much needed help in overcoming her biggest challenge learning to read…
just as Foster and Mama start to feel at ease, their past catches up to them. Thanks to the folks in Culpepper, though Foster and her mama find the strength to put their troubles behind them for good.

This Family Is Driving Me Crazy

You think your family’s bad? What if your dad was a preacher at the mall? What if your sister made you dress like Little Lord Fauntleroy for her wedding? What if your grandfather was wanted by the law in three states? You d be hard pressed to be in more embarrassing, tougher situations than these kids.

Ten hilarious, poignant, thoughtful stories about how our families drive us crazy, and how we love them anyway. Featuring some of today s most talented authors:

Joan Bauer Jack Gantos Mel Glenn Gordon Korman David Lubar Walter Dean Myers Dian Curtis Regan John H. Ritter Nancy Springer Sharon Dennis Wyeth

This is the perfect gift for that special someone who drives you crazy!

Related Authors

Leave a Comment