Six Rules of Maybe [Paperback]

Scarlet is used to keeping people close and helping them with their problems. Whether it's the depressed teenage girl across the street or her gullible next door neighbors involved with an internet scam, she is the one always helping them out. But when her older sister Juliet comes home pregnant with her new husband Hayden, the problems Scarlet encounters--like her uncertainty at Juliet being a good mother, her frustrations with her mother, and her attraction to Hayden--might be a little too much to handle. Now for the first time, Scarlet will have to take a step back and learn to solve her own problems, and let those she loves do the same.

The Six Rules of Maybe is a beautiful and insightful novel. Scarlet's story and her struggle to deal with all of the issues that are unfolding around her not only mold her into a stronger and better person, but also open her eyes to her own nature, and her mother's and sister's, and the underlying cause for the way she and her mother cling to those they love, and Juliet pushes so many people away. Scarlet's attraction to Hayden also adds a very interesting and complicated twist to the story, and though it is warranted and understood, it is like watching a car wreck unfold--you know there will be a collision, and things could get quite messy, but you need to see it through in order to see just how many pieces there will be left to pick up at the end.

It is through these revelations and events that each of the Ellis women ultimately learn that life is complicated and messy, and not everything can be fixed immediately (or ignored)--sometimes you have to let go and let others stand on their own, and sometimes you need to reach out for help. With a smart, sensitive, and modern voice, Caletti has created in The Six Rules of Maybe a strong and lovely book about forgiveness, trust, responsibility, and growing up.

Caletti has created a thoughtful book about growing up in "The Six Rules of Maybe." Scarlet is a sweet teenager who is annoyed when her prodigal sister returns. She may be even more annoyed by the fact that her sister Juliet is not mom-material in her eyes, but Juliet is pregnant and with a devoted new husband in tow.

Of course, Juliet is the sister who always got all the attention, was pretty, and had lots of boyfriends. Scarlet is the introvert who likes to help people, lives in her sister's shadow, and is now in love with her new brother-in-law.

Weaving incredibly complex feelings and emotions into the mix, we are shown the family history of these girls, the choices they make today that may not be the best ones, as well as the outcome.

All in all, it's a good read with insight to the high school girl who hasn't figured out who she is yet.

There are some books that just simply surprise you, usually by being more than they seem. The Six Rules of Maybe, by Deb Caletti, had just that effect. There were times when it was a typical girl meets boy (who she isn't supposed to like) YA, but then there were times where this book was putting my innermost thoughts out there on paper!

Scarlet grew up in her older sister Juliet's shadow. Juliet was beautiful, always had boyfriends (bad boys, of course), and never worried about how her actions affected other people. Their mom worked hard to raise them, and their father left them long ago, leaving plenty of abandonment issues behind him. When Juliet comes home married and pregnant, Scarlet and her mother aren't surprised by the whirlwind situation, but are surprised Juliet chose to stick with the commitment of a baby and a husband.

Hayden and his dog Zeus may be unexpected additions to the house, but to Scarlet, they are incredible and surprising. Scarlet begins to have feelings for Hayden she knows are wrong, but she can't help. When she realizes Juliet is sneaking around with her ex-boyfriend, she is conflicted- she is furious that her sister would hurt Hayden, but elated because she is falling in love with him herself. But nothing is more forbidden than your sister's husband, no matter how perfect he is.

There are parts of this story that are like windows into a high schooler's soul. In particular, it is a glimpse into the soul of a pleaser. If you aren't a pleaser yourself, you definitely know one. She is that girl who can't reject even the most annoying guy for fear of hurting him. She is a weirdo magnet because she will never do anything that might make someone feel bad. She also never thinks about how this all affects her, because she is too worried about everyone else. She seems so strong, so impervious, but really? She is a mess. She questions everything she does, feels trapped, and can't stand up for herself. Scarlet is a piece of all of us we wish we could squash but know will always be there.

This book is interesting, but is more in Scarlet's head than anywhere else. There is little dialogue or action, but when there is some, it is well done. The insights are incredible, but I am afraid it might be lost on a punchy teenaged reader who just wants gratuitous entertainment. This is a brilliant story with beautiful writing, but might not capture the attention of many of my students. I wish it would teach them a little about themselves or the people they know, but the lessons might be too subtle. I think this book is more valuable for the teacher or mother who deals with adolescent girls than for the girls themselves. While Ophelia Speaks gave us a glimpse into the minds of real girls, The Six Rules of Maybe can do so with a fictional girl who seems so real, you will swear you know her.

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