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In this sequel to the beloved Rules of the Road, Jenna Boller is dripping with newfound maturity after her life-altering summer on the road. She has a job she loves at Gladstone Shoes, a best friend who makes her laugh, and a dysfunctional family she's learning how to handle. Jenna feels ready for anything—until Tanner Cobb, a guy with a past, a police record, and dangerously good looks, walks into her life. Suddenly Jenna's surrounded by crises, including a shoe empire on the verge of crumbling. Tanner's street smarts seem to be what Jenna needs, but can she trust him enough when the going gets tough?
Anonymous
Posted June 23, 2011
Really good especiahlly on my awesome nook
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.She did it again! Joan Bauer hooked me on yet another novel about selling shoes! <BR/><BR/>I had previously read RULES OF THE ROAD, where we were introduced to Jenna Boller. In BEST FOOT FORWARD we again root for Jenna of Gladstone Shoes. I even *ahem* took this book to church to read between Sunday School and the church service. It was that good. <BR/><BR/>Mrs. Gladstone puts Jenna in charge of Tanner, a boy Jenna's age, after he tries to steal some shoes from them. Jenna's not sure letting him work for the company is the best idea Mrs. Gladstone has had; even so, Jenna's confidence grows as she encourages Tanner to be his best. <BR/><BR/>Changes are coming fast since the merger of Gladstone Shoes and Shoe Warehouse Corporation. Advertising strategies become distasteful. The quality of the product is suffering. Jenna and Mrs. Gladstone's questions aren't being answered. <BR/><BR/>When the higher-ups in the company begin making unethical business decisions, Mrs. Gladstone entrusts Jenna with the investigation. When Jenna finds out that Mrs. Gladstone's son is involved, she has to confide in somebody. Jenna chooses Tanner and is astounded at the things he's noticed. She prepares Mrs. Gladstone for the bad news and shares an understanding of being disappointed by someone you love. <BR/><BR/>BEST FOOT FORWARD is remarkable in its premise of teens doing the right thing only because it's the right thing to do. This is a common theme throughout Ms. Bauer's books, and, once again, she has made me grateful that I'm lucky enough to spend time with teens and that I have the privilege of making an impression upon them - as they do on me. <BR/><BR/>This is another Joan Bauer must read!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2008
Jenna Boller is the stereotypical high school overachiever. She is dependable, has a strong work ethic, and is given responsibilities at her work place that are in line with her behavior. Enter Tanner Cobb, a ¿player¿ with dubious ethics. When Mrs. Gladstone, the matriarch of Gladstone Shoes, decides to take Tanner on as her personal rescue project, Jenna has to deal with a maelstrom of feelings about both Tanner and humanity. This was a quick read, and was unusual in its celebration of moral behavior without crossing over the line of preaching. The characters are given emotional responses that have the emotional spectrum of flaws and triumphs that all human beings possess. This story touches on the impact alcoholic family, juvenile crime, and business ethics and could easily be used in Health, Child Development, and business classes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 20, 2007
She did it again! Joan Bauer hooked me on yet another novel about selling shoes! I had previously read RULES OF THE ROAD, where we were introduced to Jenna Boller. In BEST FOOT FORWARD we again root for Jenna of Gladstone Shoes. I even *ahem* took this book to church to read between Sunday School and the church service. It was that good. Mrs. Gladstone puts Jenna in charge of Tanner, a boy Jenna's age, after he tries to steal some shoes from them. Jenna's not sure letting him work for the company is the best idea Mrs. Gladstone has had even so, Jenna's confidence grows as she encourages Tanner to be his best. Changes are coming fast since the merger of Gladstone Shoes and Shoe Warehouse Corporation. Advertising strategies become distasteful. The quality of the product is suffering. Jenna and Mrs. Gladstone¿s questions aren¿t being answered. When the higher-ups in the company begin making unethical business decisions, Mrs. Gladstone entrusts Jenna with the investigation. When Jenna finds out that Mrs. Gladstone's son is involved, she has to confide in somebody. Jenna chooses Tanner and is astounded at the things he¿s noticed. She prepares Mrs. Gladstone for the bad news and shares an understanding of being disappointed by someone you love. BEST FOOT FORWARD is remarkable in its premise of teens doing the right thing only because it's the right thing to do. This is a common theme throughout Ms. Bauer's books, and, once again, she has made me grateful that I'm lucky enough to spend time with teens and that I have the privilege of making an impression upon them - as they do on me. This is another Joan Bauer must read! **Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 5, 2007
This is a sequal to a book, Rules of the Road, by Joan Bauer. The book is set in Chicago, IL. The main characters name is Jenna Boller. She lives with her mom, and little sis, Faith. Her dad is an acaholic and doesnt live with her anymore. Living w/ a dad as an acaholic doesnt help Jenna. She goes to Al-Anon meetings to help with the problem. In this book she is @ the shoe store. There is a man, Tanner Cobb, who steals from the store and works there to make up for it. Jenna thinks he is bad and doesnt trust him. But throught the book you get to learn how he isnt so bad, and you also get to know alot about the characters. How I got into this book was my sister showing me her copy and saying I should read it. I read the first book first, then was hooked on it and stayed up until 2 am to finish the book. I was sad when is was over, but I know I will read it again. This book doesnt have as much of a plot as Rules of the Road, the first book, but this one is pretty good. I totally recommend this book. Even if you look at the book and think 'bor-ring', its NOT. Read this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2013
Love love love joan!!!!!!! Every book captures me into suspence, joy, and lots of laughs. Joan weaves words like knitting togther into a wounderful story.
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Posted October 14, 2012
Suspense done very well; I can't wait to see what happens!
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Posted October 13, 2012
Grrr! :) Cliffhangers make me excited and NEED more story! Good job! :D Keep up with cliffhangers! I can handle it because I'm writing a story, too!
-Dauntless's author
Anonymous
Posted October 4, 2012
DANGITTTT! I hate cliffhangers! Theyre just leave you...hanging..Great story, cant wait ro see what lies in the shadows.
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Posted October 4, 2012
Chapter Eleven ~
After we had finished our breakfast, Logas, Jennica, and I said goodbye to Brunce and ran off to find Professor Finn.
He was standing at the enterance to the dining hall, arms crossed and looking impatient. After a few minutes, Jalock and Jorlan appeared and we set off.
Finn led us down hallways untill we came to a large room that was filled up with kids. I saw Elbeth, who ran over, smiling happily.
"Attention!" Finn yelled over the noise. The room fell silent.
"If you are here, that means you passed the test. But there is yet another test for you to pass before you can be counted truly as a warrior."
"Inside this next room, your courage and skill will be tested in many ways. Only few have passed the Shadow Trial on their first time, and only one has ever come out unharmed."
"Unharmed?" I echoed. What was in there?!
Jorlan snorted. "Pff, I bet he's just trying to scare us."
Finn glared at him before saying, "You are to form a group of three. If you wish to go alone, you can go alone, though I advise being in a group. And it must be a group of three. Why don't you get started, and then we can begin."
I didn't want to go in alone, so I glanced around to find some of tge others. I looked around for Jalock, but he was surronded by a large crowd. I frowned when I saw Elbeth with him.
I turned around and crashed into Logas. "You're on my team, right?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Now we just need a third." I murmured, looking around.
Just then, a boy walked over to us. He was small, with red hair and dark blue eyes, and also had a short sword.
"Hi." He said, shuffling his feet.
"Do you want to be in our group?" I asked.
"Oh, sure." He replied.
"I'm Alora." I said.
"Frenn." He smiled.
"So... do you have any idea what is in there?"
"Not really."
"Attention!" Finn shouted again.
The room fell silent.
"Does anybody not have a group that wants one? No? Good. I have one more thing to tell you. We don't want our students dying, so if you happen to get critically injured, we'll come and rescue you. And there's one rule, don't talk with other groups. If it is absolutly necesarry, go ahead, but this if you don't talk in this course, the Silent Trial will be easier. Now, who would like to go first?"
There was silence.
Finally, Jorlan stepped forward. "I will."
Finn nodded, a strange look in his blue eyes. He opened to door, and a thin mist came out.
I looked into pitch black.
Jorlan frowned, gripped his sword, and stepped inside.
Nothing.
Then, in a loud voice, "Now what?" Jorlan called back.
"Find the way out!" Finn said, then shut the door.
"Who would like to go next?" He asked.
Slowly, the room emptied as kids stepped into the blackness. I fingered my knife, feeling anxious.
I watched as Jalock, along with Elbeth and some other girl, stepped through the doorway. As Finn started to shut the door, I heard a faint scream.
I jumped. "What was that?" I whispered.
"Next?" The professor said.
"We'll go." I stammered, suprising myself.
Finn nodded, opening the door. Logas and Frenn followed me. I took a breath, and stepped into the mist.
Anonymous
Posted October 28, 2011
I could not wat 2 read it.
Anonymous
Posted October 19, 2011
Good book
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 1, 2011
I had to read this book for school. It was better than i thought but it was still boring.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 20, 2011
I loved Jenna, she is a very shy and determined girl. I loved how she was with her crush, so clumsy........I enjoyed little old Mrs. Gladstone.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really like this book. The characters are funny and the conflict is kinda unique. You wouldn't think a simple shoe store could have such a cool story. I would reccomend this to a lot of my friends. This book was really good!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Best Foot Forward was enthralling. I couldn't put it down for the day it took me to read (it was good, but a very quick read). I didn't know it was a sequel until I read the other reviews on this site. I had read some of Joan Bauer's other books and thought that I'd give this one a try. One of the things that I really liked about this book was that the characters were amazing. Even the backround characters seemed important. I loved Tanner, and found myself liking him even though he kept on doing bad things, like shoplifting shoes. I knew he would turn out to be good in the end, although Jenna disagreed with me. I also loved Mrs. Gladstone; she was such a great role model character. She never gave up in her battle against her son and Shoe Warehouse, Inc. She was such a strong character...you don't find them very often, or at least I don't. I also loved seeing how Jenna dealt with her father's alcoholism, because books that deal with problems like family members who are smokers or alcoholics (or dead) are often cliched. Best Foot Foward gets a 5 out of 5 stars for its charm, wit, and compassion- it fit like a pair of fuzzy slippers.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I thought this book was ok. The first one was much more better! This book was not what I thought it would be. Overall, it was a good read. (:
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.clemmy
Posted June 1, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This is the "companion novel" to Rules of the Road (another fabulous book). Jenna Boller is inspiring the way she handles herself, her life, and others. She has a delightful sense of humor, and her boss is the best there ever was. Joan Bauer books are always wonderful, and while fairly quick reads, you will be very happy to read them again.
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Posted May 11, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I positively loved 'best foot forward' its in my top 20....lol
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Posted November 25, 2006
hey, this was a fast book to pass the time. it was not as good as rules of the road, seeing as there was almost no point to it. it didn't really convey any message whatsoever. it was just normal, nothing special. you don't need to read the sequel if you don't want to.
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Overview
In this sequel to the beloved Rules of the Road, Jenna Boller is dripping with newfound maturity after her life-altering summer on the road. She has a job she loves at Gladstone Shoes, a best friend who makes her laugh, and a dysfunctional family she's learning how to handle. Jenna feels ready for anything—until Tanner Cobb, a guy with a past, a police record, and dangerously good looks, walks into her life. Suddenly Jenna's surrounded by crises, including a shoe empire on the verge of crumbling. Tanner's street ...