Getting the Boot

By Peggy Guthart Strauss

Book Overview

The exciting series for teens that explores life and love around the world. Studying abroad isn't at all like Kelly thought it would be. Instead of shopping for fine Italian leather and living in an apartment with a view of the Colosseum, she is stuck in a stuffy dorm room with three other girls, and is sharing one shower with the entire floor This is not the bella Roma that she'd dreamed of. But there is one part of Italy that Kelly doesn't mind--Joe, a really cute guy who's in the study abroad program too. Joe's into staying up late and partying hard, two things that Kelly used to love doing. Bad habits are hard to break, and she soon finds herself on thin ice with the program coordinators. If Kelly's not careful, she might just get the boot...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142404144
• ISBN13: 9780142404140
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Another good S.A.S.S. title

Getting the Boot, by Peggy Guthart Strauss, was the second book I've read in the S.A.S.S. YA series. The first, Westminster Abby, was very enjoyable, as was this one. I really did think these books would be very "fluffy," but I've been pleasantly surprised thus far. 17 year old Kelly is super excited when she arrives in Rome for her summer abroad. Her excitement is quickly squelched when she gets put in a room with incredibly boring girls that just cramp her style. Kelly wants to shop, these girls want to study. Kelly wants to hang out (and make out) with her new boy, Joe, the girls just think he's bad news and shun Kelly even more because of him. When Kelly starts missing classes and curfew because of Joe, she starts to wonder if maybe the girls are right. Maybe Joe is bad news. And when Kelly is faced with the chance of being sent home, she needs to make a decision. Joe or Rome? Though this book was more "romance based" than the first in the series, it was not overpowered with it and was still a good book. The plot in this book was something that many girls face while in high school and I feel the message given was a great one for teens.

Wicked cool!

I enjoyed this book because I learned a lot about Italy by reading it. Kelly spends all summer in Italy, touring Rome, Florence, the Vatican, and other smaller towns. She learns about Italy's culture, food, art, and history by sightseeing, talking with locals, and painting. However, the characterization in this book is a little cheesy and stereotypical. Think typical high-school characters: there is a cheerleader, a gothic girl, and a crazy vegan/' activist. Still, I enjoyed reading about Kelly's adventures. This book changed my life and it was wicked cool! Read it or die!!