haha thats pro. yeah, y = mx + b used to kill me in year 9
hmmm there are standard steps to sketch generic graphs.
1) whether the graph is odd / even (massive time saver)
2) asymptotes / intercepts
3) dy/dx, find all stat points.
there are more steps but u think for most cases thats all u need.
and keeping in mind that the graph can not cross the axes without either an intercept or asymptote, u can practically graph anything
having said that, i dont think in this regard there is much difference between math books, they essentially all teach u 'that', more or less.