The Ruling Class

By Francine Pascal

Book Overview

In the posh suburban Dallas high school of Highland Park, the beautiful and perfect Jeanette Sue is queen. The Ruling Class, her clique of spectacularly cruel girls, runs the school. Brutally. And no one questions them. Certainly not the little suck-up Myrna Fry, whose only aim in life is to be part of the Ruling Class, no matter what or who gets trashed.It's a nightmare school caught in the grips of terror until the arrival of the totally undesir-able, absolutely unfashionable, and -- way worse -- poor Twyla Gay Stark. And then, of course, there is the tall and gorgeous hunk, Ryder McQuaid, Jeanette Sue's property. Or so Jeanette Sue thinks.With uncanny insight and unforgettable characters Francine Pascal has created a searing, up-close look into the power games and class struggles within a seemingly friendly clique in a suburban high school.The Ruling Classis a magnetic tour de force created by a master storyteller at the top of her form.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689873328
• ISBN13: 9780689873324
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 6.5"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

A Great Book for All Teens!

For those who love " Mean Girls" this book is for you. I really don't know why its getting such bad reviews-ppl need to relax its just make believe! Any high schooler can relate to Jeanette Sue and her unbelieveably vicious clique of girls, heck we have a clique like that at my school!And everyone knows the students who are gross suck-ups like Myrna Fry.Its that fantastic! However, Francine should have based the book on Middle School students who are more petty and gossipy than typical high school students. Don't you think to write a book about Juniors who act like THAT is unrealistic- the juniors at my school sure don't act like that. Maybe next time she can think of a better age group. All in all, great book!

The Ruling Class

I think it is a really great book and I like how you switch the points of view. I like your book but, I can't relate to it because I'm really cute but, I'm not bratty about it. I am one of the popular girls in my school and I am like Gretchen from the movie Mean Girls cause I'm kind of always following the leader of the popular group around and I'm always easy to push around. In the movie Mean Girls the leader is Regina George, the second highest royalty of The Plastics ( the popular group) is Gretchen Wieners, and the third is Karen Smith. Brandi from my school is like Regina George, I'm like Gretchen Wieners, and my friend Jordan (Jo-Jo)is like Karen Smith. I'm not sure if you understand what I'm trying to say but, I hope you do understand that I give The Ruling Class a very good review and Francine Pascal you are a very good writer!!!!!!

It's just fiction!!

I grew up in Texas (Arlington) and am familiar with the setting of this book. I had to just laugh when I read it. Then I had to laugh harder when I read some of these reviews! Ladies...it's just fiction!! Relax, no one is judging you by this book. It's make-beleive. I thought it was fun read!

HOT! HOT! HOT!

As a high-school student myself, i was unfortunately able to relate to this book completely.The story really describes the awfull cliques that have as their mission, to ruin the lives of others. It was an excellent read and i couldn't put it down once. The familiar characters and senarios were hysterical as well as extremely meaningful and touching. Francine Pascal has done a magnificent job in portraying what high school is all about, and the group of horrible people you can find there. Once again this brilliant author has succeeded in getting her message accross with perfection. This is the ONE book that I can say absolutely depicts the real experiences people go through in high school. The ruling class is a smart and masterful book and I recommend this not only to all teenagers but anyone who wants to read a great touching story.

Another enjoyable teen book

Every school has one, that one clique that everybody envies and wants to be a part of because of its "popularity". In the rich upperclass suburban neighborhood of Highland Park the rules are no different. Jeanette Sue, the beautiful heartstopping girl is the "queen" of the Dallas High School, and head of "The Ruling Class" a stuck up clique comprised of vicious girls that makes everybody else's life at the school miserable. They are cruel and brutal and nobody have better get in their way, adult or fellow student. Some girls, such as Myrna Fry makes it their life's goal to become part of the group so that they no longer get picked on and can start wreaking havoc. The school is truly a total nightmare until the arrival of the unfashional, and worst of all unwealthy poor girl Twyla Gay Stark. The school is about to tilt on its own axis when Jeanette's "man", or as she would like to put it her property, Ryder begins to have a relationship with the new gal. Uh oh.... I am a fan of Francine Pascal's Fearless series and was really eager to read this book. I found it to be another very enjoyable teen book. The girls at times were a bit overly vicious but I bet many people can find similaries between Highland Park and their high school. You do feel for these girls, even Jeanette Sue. A definite recommendation.