Friday, September 14, 2012

The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations

by Ellen Conford

Another golden oldie from my youth!

Julie Howe is a typical sophomore at AGGMHS: she’s in love with her English teacher, will do anything to get out of gym class, and just wants a sense of belonging.

Each chapter of this novel begins with a rule/regulation at AGGMHS. With each chapter, the reader encounters Julie’s obstacles: the under stocked school store, the leftist student literary magazine, and the laughable student government election are only the tip of the iceberg. The insanity is never-ending.

Make no mistake: this is one clever novel for young people. The humor is sophisticated, and nearly everything is a target for Ms. Conford’s sharp wit. This is not the angst-y, overly-dramatic YA lit of today. Instead, I urge you to take the trip back to 1976 and enjoy Conford’s snarky treatment of high school. 

9/9/12

 

No comments: