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The Raspberry Rules
Rowan Love is 13 and full of good intentions - so why does life keep going so wrong? Her teachers think she's dippy and disorganized, her best friend has new mates and nobody appreciates her unique fashion sense - maybe keeping a diary will help! 'The Raspberry Rules' is Rowan's funny and fabulous journal.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2010
4 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Karen McCombie
181 books193 followersKaren McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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June 15, 2015I absolutely adore this book and have since I first read it 5 years ago! Rowan is a beautiful, quirky character - this is such a comfort read!
March 24, 2011
so far its really interesting, also, because of this book i found out i like journal types of books or magical, fantasy genres
October 21, 2011
This book rules. Raspberry rules, in fact! A MUST READ!
July 20, 2025
basically me! chaotic life, chaotic family, amazing clothes, friend troubles and can never seem to fit in!
October 13, 2021
I read this as a child and have been trying to remember its name ever since, it just came to me today - this book broke my heart as a child as I was going through all of the same things re friendships, ahh
July 1, 2014
I still remember ordering this from Amazon when they had a sale where they were shipping books to South Africa. I was so excited, as I'd read a few of the Ally's World books and I absolutely adored Rowan's character. Because I decided to marathon the Ally's World series, I thought I'd read The Raspberry Rules, as it's from the POV of Ally's older sister.
The Raspberry Rules is from Rowan's POV, Ally's (from Ally's World) older sister. Rowan is unique. She experiments with lots of different styles, she is extremely arty and not afraid to show it. She throws together unusual outfits and is obsessed with glitter, pink and sparkles. However, when her friendship with her best friend starts going awry and Rowan speculates it's because Erin is embarrassed of Rowan's style, especially when she starts lying to Rowan about where she's been and ditching her for two other girls.
Rowan decides to make "The Raspberry Rules", writing them down on her raspberry colour painted walls, to help her be a "new, non-annoying version of herself". But these rules she's writing for her to be more normal might just end up robbing her of the most important thing. Being herself...
I really enjoyed The Raspberry Rules! It was a quick, fun and lighthearted read. It sent an important message out that I think is important for all girls to grasp, that you shouldn't change who you are for anybody.
It was really interesting seeing Rowan's point of view on things and how her colourful, glittery mind gives her a sugar-spun view of the world. In Ally's World, I adored Rowan and I loved having the chance to see the world through her eyes.
I love Rowan's character, she is an utterly adorable character. I love how crafty she is and how she manages to turn even the slightest, average of things into a work of art. I felt very sorry for her too, though, as people were constantly degrading her for being different and dressing in clothes that they viewed as weird. It really saddened me when Rowan started trying to dress like everyone else and wanting to "normalise" her life, just so that she could be accepted.
I hated the way some people spoke to her and were constantly putting her down. In Ally's World, I knew that Linn, their oldest sister, was grouchy towards them but I didn't know how hurtful the things she said could be. Rowan is really sensitive and harmless and shouting at her and being horrible towards her is so unnecessary.
I also liked the new characters that we were introduced to. I liked Georgie, and it was sweet watching her and Rowan's developing friendship. All the other character involved in the Recycling Project were also fun to read about.
I really didn't like Erin, Rowan's supposed best friend, she was absolutely horrible and I can't believe how she would lie to Rowan and make so many efforts to ditch her.
I loved Miss Boyle, the student teacher, she was so sweet and kind and I loved how she encouraged the certain students in her Recycling Project to just be themselves.
I loved the plot, too. It was filled with all these wonderful, imaginative...magical things, all thanks to Rowan's spectacular viewpoint on the world.
There are only 2 things that I had issues with.
1. There were times when the author introduced new characters and when they were mentioned later on they had a different name. Like Cameron and Karl, when mentioned again were Cameron and Kurt. Or like at the end when we see Rowan meeting Von and Chazza from the Ally's World series, she spelt his name with an e, and it said "Chezza" and I know for a fact that his name is Chazza.
2. Although I loved reading from Rowan's point of view, in the beginning it didn't feel like it was Rowan. It didn't feel like the same person I read about in Ally's World. However, as the story went on though I became more familiarised with Rowan's own voice.
The Raspberry Rules was a fantastic novel that was made magical by the creative, sweet, quirky voice of Rowan, who has such a colourful, glittery view of the world. I think this is a fantastic book for everyone to read and it sends an important message out about being unique and not letting other people influence you into changing who you are. A sparkly, fun-filled read.
The Raspberry Rules is from Rowan's POV, Ally's (from Ally's World) older sister. Rowan is unique. She experiments with lots of different styles, she is extremely arty and not afraid to show it. She throws together unusual outfits and is obsessed with glitter, pink and sparkles. However, when her friendship with her best friend starts going awry and Rowan speculates it's because Erin is embarrassed of Rowan's style, especially when she starts lying to Rowan about where she's been and ditching her for two other girls.
Rowan decides to make "The Raspberry Rules", writing them down on her raspberry colour painted walls, to help her be a "new, non-annoying version of herself". But these rules she's writing for her to be more normal might just end up robbing her of the most important thing. Being herself...
I really enjoyed The Raspberry Rules! It was a quick, fun and lighthearted read. It sent an important message out that I think is important for all girls to grasp, that you shouldn't change who you are for anybody.
It was really interesting seeing Rowan's point of view on things and how her colourful, glittery mind gives her a sugar-spun view of the world. In Ally's World, I adored Rowan and I loved having the chance to see the world through her eyes.
I love Rowan's character, she is an utterly adorable character. I love how crafty she is and how she manages to turn even the slightest, average of things into a work of art. I felt very sorry for her too, though, as people were constantly degrading her for being different and dressing in clothes that they viewed as weird. It really saddened me when Rowan started trying to dress like everyone else and wanting to "normalise" her life, just so that she could be accepted.
I hated the way some people spoke to her and were constantly putting her down. In Ally's World, I knew that Linn, their oldest sister, was grouchy towards them but I didn't know how hurtful the things she said could be. Rowan is really sensitive and harmless and shouting at her and being horrible towards her is so unnecessary.
I also liked the new characters that we were introduced to. I liked Georgie, and it was sweet watching her and Rowan's developing friendship. All the other character involved in the Recycling Project were also fun to read about.
I really didn't like Erin, Rowan's supposed best friend, she was absolutely horrible and I can't believe how she would lie to Rowan and make so many efforts to ditch her.
I loved Miss Boyle, the student teacher, she was so sweet and kind and I loved how she encouraged the certain students in her Recycling Project to just be themselves.
I loved the plot, too. It was filled with all these wonderful, imaginative...magical things, all thanks to Rowan's spectacular viewpoint on the world.
There are only 2 things that I had issues with.
1. There were times when the author introduced new characters and when they were mentioned later on they had a different name. Like Cameron and Karl, when mentioned again were Cameron and Kurt. Or like at the end when we see Rowan meeting Von and Chazza from the Ally's World series, she spelt his name with an e, and it said "Chezza" and I know for a fact that his name is Chazza.
2. Although I loved reading from Rowan's point of view, in the beginning it didn't feel like it was Rowan. It didn't feel like the same person I read about in Ally's World. However, as the story went on though I became more familiarised with Rowan's own voice.
The Raspberry Rules was a fantastic novel that was made magical by the creative, sweet, quirky voice of Rowan, who has such a colourful, glittery view of the world. I think this is a fantastic book for everyone to read and it sends an important message out about being unique and not letting other people influence you into changing who you are. A sparkly, fun-filled read.
August 9, 2013
This book was funny, cheerful, innocent... Exactly what I was looking for in today's barrage of books with the f-word in them. :) The only thing I found lacking was that I wanted to see the Rowan/Marlon romance developed more. It was kind of funny, the way Marlon kept staring at her and she pretended not to notice. Unfortunately, it was all blown off at the end. Pretty disappointing, actually.
March 16, 2013
i really thought that this book is really good. The rules mostly are incredible i wish there will be more books like this in the future. Come on guys read it you will not put it down when you read the first chapter ;)))))))
December 27, 2011
AMAZING!!!
April 17, 2012
funny and random!
April 22, 2014
Already read this book and reread. It's quirky and funny and innocent. I would highly recommend it x
February 21, 2015
i love the overall message of this book and i am really inspired by Rowan's character and how she doesn't really care what people think at the end
April 3, 2015
i really liked this book
it was awesome. Rowan is a great character
it was awesome. Rowan is a great character
November 5, 2015
I read this a couple of years ago at school and I really loved it! I still remember some of the funny bits in it.
May 19, 2020
At this point it’s become a yearly tradition to read this old-time favourite
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews