The New Rules of High School

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High school. A very familiar setting to us all. The fights, drama, pressure, people, homework, upperclassmen, and urge to just be you.

The New Rules of High School by Blake Nelson delves into all of that. The parties, drinking, girls, pressure, and reevaluating yourself.

The main character, Max Caldwell, is the perfect son, brother, friend, and boyfriend. And he has the perfect girlfriend too. But he starts to doubt himself, reach out and try new things during his senior year. He’s still captain of the debate team, editor of the school newspaper, and on the National Honor Roll. But some new friends change his view on things and he starts to question his life. His perfect grades, his perfect family, and his perfect girlfriend. It all starts with him breaking up with her. And then it all goes downhill for him. Fights, suspension, drinking and driving, and sex all come into play.

It’s all part of life, and it’s all part of high school, as I’ve learned. Not firsthand I mean. I’ve also seen the smart, “nerdy” kids and the “cool” kids, but I’ve almost never seen them mix. And if I tried to invite some of my “nerdy” friends to do some of the stuff my “cool” friends did, they would probably go insane. But Max does that. He not only walks the line, he crosses it. I absolutely love the book, and it’s right up near the top on my favorites list.

Alex, April 2007