A person grows physically and mentally in everyday of their lives. A daily life experience makes a person grow. In the novel Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer, Jenna Boller became mature by her experiences in life and interacting with other people. All the way through the novel, we will witness Jenna become mature by receiving several gifts: non-material gifts by Will, Harry Bender, and her father. These people helped her grow and become more mature.
             Will gives a gift of self-esteem to hang out with other people. Throughout the beginning of the novel, Jenna didn't show much how she deals with guys of her age but after meeting Will at the dance, she started to feel better about guys. She realized that her mom was right that socializing with people younger of the opposite gender is very important. "Social dancing skills were always appreciated in later life. I'd never been this close to a younger person before"(148). Jenna became more socialized and had more self-esteem approaching with other young guys at her age. Will also gave Jenna the confidence to look at herself in a good way. Will said that she looked beautiful and he tipped his hat to show his appreciation and respect to Jenna. "Will said it had been a pleasure to dance with such a pretty woman. Then he tipped his hat to show his respect for my beauty"(149). That quote helped her to build up confidence about herself.
             Hope is feeling that is wanted to happen: desire that is accompanied by expectation. Harry Bender gave this kind of hope to Jenna. Even though Jenna had some hard times in her life, Harry taught her how to be positive about life. Harry was once an alcoholic person. Through times people had hopes that someday he will change. That time came and changed things around. "You know the thing about hope, how it sneaks up behind you when you're sure everything's in the toilet and starts whispering to you that maybe, just maybe, ...