Here’s an etiquette book that teens will want to read—because it keeps them laughing, doesn’t preach, and deals with issues that matter to them, as teens themselves reported in a nationwide survey. In How Rude!, author Alex J. Packer blends outrageous humor with sound advice as he guides readers through the mysterious world of manners from A (“Applause”) to Z (“Zits”). He starts by explaining why etiquette is important—because people who know how to handle themselves in social situations come out on top, get what they want, feel good about themselves, and enjoy life to the fullest. Fourteen chapters describe the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations at home, in school, and in the world. Teens learn how to be a host with the most (and a guest with the best), what to do (and not do) when going online or waiting in line, how to deal with rude relatives, how to act at the mall and the concert hall, how to make introductions, who invented manners, and much more. Hundreds of “Dear Alex” questions and answers cover everything from dating to breaking up, thank-you notes to table manners, ethnic jokes to social cliques, skateboarding to celebrating. Survey results reveal what teens, parents, and teachers think about manners and why they’re important. Full of practical tips for every occasion, How Rude! is a serious etiquette encyclopedia—and a hilarious read.
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"Love this book! Very straight forward, written for teens in their language, but good for anyone else willing to learn how to live in the world of humans. I was raised this way, my kids were, too. Other peoples kids, (not to mention celebrities and politicians) however......."
— Cheryll (5 out of 5 stars)
“This is a fun guide that teens may dip into when facing a confounding situation.”
— School Library Journal“It is difficult to make a topic like etiquette seem relevant and appealing to teenagers, but that is exactly what Packer accomplishes. Drawing heavily on surveys of teens, parents, and teachers to target which situations were most pertinent, the opening chapters successfully sell the importance of manners to both the individual and society…This is advice on issues that teens care about.”
— Booklist" I thought it was great! Very witty and it effectively taught etiquette for a teen's mind to understand. I enjoyed reading it. My only problem was remembering all of it! When i get the chance, i will definately reread it again. "
— Alexandra, 10/9/2013" You don't really *finish* a self help book... "
— ☠, 4/28/2013" I skimmed this to see if it was appropriate for middle school readers. I enjoyed it and thought it was a good read for older teens and adults. The section on "sex etiquette" caused me to choose something else for my students. "
— Angie, 2/23/2013Alex J. Packer received his PhD in educational and developmental psychology from Boston College and his master’s degree in education from Harvard. He has been headmaster of an alternative school for eleven to fifteen-year-olds and director of education at the Capital Children’s Museum. He is president emeritus of FCD Educational Services, a Boston-based provider of drug education and substance abuse prevention services for schools worldwide. He is also the author of ten books for parents and teens. Alex lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
Johnny Heller, winner of numerous Earphones and Audie Awards, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. He has been a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner from 2008 through 2013 and he has been named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine.