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Best Foot Forward Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,236 listener ratings
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I’m a real ace at arguing with myself. Take a subject like Tanner Cobb. On the one hand, he stole. On the other, he helped his little brother read and count. Then again, he stole shoes in front of his little brother. But, he brought the shoes back and offered to make up for what he’d done. My mind said, Don’t trust him. My instincts said, He might not be all bad. Inconsistencies are a royal pain; the older you get, the more they multiply. After a life-altering summer on the road, Jenna Boller is dripping with newfound maturity. 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. And that’s just the beginning. Jenna likes to be in control, but that’s not easy when she’s suddenly 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 when the going gets tough? Newbery Honor author Joan Bauer has written a sure-footed, funny, and poignant novel about a teenage girl facing the challenges–and betrayals–of the adult business world head-on, a struggle that links her to the resilience of her past and helps her to eagerly plan the course for her future. Praise for Joan Bauer: Rules of the Road “Jubilant, strong, and funny, this is a road trip to remember.” –The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review Hope Was Here “When it comes to creating strong, independent and funny teenage characters, Bauer is in a class by herself.” –School Library Journal, starred review
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"While the climax here is a little rushed, that's a small caveat to Bauer's excellent follow-up to the eminently likeable Rules of the Road. Jenna continues to be a sensible and wry narrator, and I adore how her love of shoes is connected--unusually for a YA narrator!--to selling them rather than buying them. Her concern for sturdiness, quality, and personal appeal carries through the book itself as she deals with the rehabilitation of a charming parolee Gladstone's hires and the continued slimy machinations of her boss's son. Contrary to the way the flap copy makes it sound, this isn't really a romance, although Jenna does get a quiet, pleasantly low-key flirtation--typically for her, what makes her swoon is that he "understands retail"--but it's not a focus. The focus is still on the pleasures of work, courage, taking a stand, and growing up, and Bauer, remarkably, makes it all sound terrifically fun."
— Lauren (5 out of 5 stars)
Best Foot Forward Listener Reviews
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" LOVE Joan Bauer's stuff! This is another great one about a 16-year-old girl dealing with an unrepentant alcoholic father and helping take on a shoe company that is exploiting their workers. Despite the serious issues, there are a lot of laughs and a positive, hopeful message. Very clean and appropriate for younger girls. "
— Emily, 2/16/2014 -
" How can Joan Bauer make two books about selling shoes and both of them are interesting and great? I don't know either, but she does it. I enjoyed reading about these characters again and I was glad to see that they changed in subtle ways. I love the introduction of Tanner and the drama with Gladstone. Great read. "
— Diana, 2/8/2014 -
" This is a book i read this quarter. Its by the same author of the other book i read this quarter. This book relates to rules of the road. I would suggest reading this book before rules of the road. The main character is Jenna again. This book talks about her actual job at the shoe store and what goes on inside. Then Jenna starts to like this guy named Tanner, who is new to the store. It has good pacing throughout the book. It has a lot of different things going on so you don't get bored. "
— Sammy, 2/6/2014 -
" This book makes you question if people can really change who they are. "
— S., 2/2/2014 -
" Cute simple story that gives a good insights on the retail world. "
— Lisa, 1/31/2014 -
" I loved this book so much. It was amazing. The characters were wonderfully described, and you felt like you were them experiencing all that was happening. It was awesome. "
— Julia, 1/23/2014 -
" It was fun to revisit characters, but I didn't enjoy this book as well as the first. Parts of it seemed disjointed, and there wasn't as much growing for the main character. "
— Tara, 1/18/2014 -
" Another good Joan Bauer book... a little laughter, a little thought-provoking, and more than a little uplifting... It is the sequel to Rules of the Road. "
— Nancy, 1/13/2014 -
" If you want a deep novel wiht humor, this is the book for you! The main character is very human as she struggles with various things in her life. It made me cry at parts, yet I was laughing at others. "
— Laina, 12/19/2013 -
" A delightful and insightful story! "
— Lee, 11/30/2013 -
" This was a good book and a nice change of pace from what I normally read. No surprises with how this book ended, but it wasn't a unrealistic ending either. I kind of wonder if a third book is on it's way, there just seems like there is a lot more that can be done with the characters. "
— Kari, 11/28/2013 -
" A very good book-touching without being melodramatic, moral without being preachy. The characters are complex, with good and bad sides. Anyone who enjoys conflict, emotion, and everyday life would love this book. "
— Isabella, 11/27/2013 -
" I enjoyed the realistic contemporary life challenges handled with integrity and courage. "
— Cathy, 11/23/2013 -
" I think the description you will find inside the book is a bit misleading on what the book is about, but nonetheless, it was an interesting book. Not fantastic, but not bad either. "
— Sonja, 9/28/2013 -
" i really didn't learn anything from this book except for give everyone a second chance!! "
— Joy, 9/13/2013 -
" This was a great sequel to The Rules of the Road. It was hard to put down once I started reading it! "
— Josh, 12/12/2012 -
" This is the sequel to rules of the road. It was an equally good book as the first. I think she is a great writer and really love her books. "
— Gina, 8/12/2012 -
" Joan Bauer is just so good. Her characters are strong and funny and moral, and this book is no exception. "
— Jodi, 8/10/2012 -
" The good read continues on...I enjoyed this as much or more than the first (Rules of the Road). Joan Bauer puts wisdom, humor and great story line in her books. I would read another of her books. "
— Linda, 7/25/2012 -
" My Dad owned a shoe store and my first job was selling shoes, so I enjoyed the shoe business aspect of the book. Deals with alot of social issues. "
— Lorna, 7/21/2012 -
" typical ending to a young adult book but a good story for teenagers looking to find their own voice. "
— Eve, 6/15/2012
About Joan Bauer
Joan Bauer is the author of a dozen novels for young readers, among them the Newbery Honor Book Hope Was Here and the Los Angeles Times Prize winner Rules of the Road. She has also twice received the Christopher Award, as well as the Schneider Family Book Award and the Golden Kite Award.
About Kathe Mazur
Kathe Mazur has narrated many audiobooks, winning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2014, being named a finalist for the Audie Award in 2013 and 2015, and winning several AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she can be seen as DDA Hobbs on The Closer and in the upcoming Major Crimes. She has worked extensively in film, theater, and television, including appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, House, Brothers and Sisters, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, ER, Monk, and many others.