Big Winners: Chapter Books ~ Rules

Book Cover Photo Source, Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rules/Cynthia-Lord/e/9780439443821, accessed May 8, 2009.

Bibliography

Lord, Cynthia. 2006. RULES. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822

Summary

Cynthia Lord has created a poignant story about the realities of living with autism. Catherine, the narrator of the story, will draw in readers as she struggles to find order and balance in her life. A promising artist, she fills her sketchbook with rules she has set up for David, “so if my someday-he’ll-wake-up-a-regular-brother wish doesn’t ever come true, at least he’ll know how the world works,” even though in her heart, she knows that this will never happen.

Catherine’s parents lives revolve around David, often making her feel left out and of less importance to them. His needs overshadow her own in the family unit, and the reader will ache for her as she moves into adolescence and all of the trials and tribulations that come with this awkward time in life. When she befriends Jason, a boy her age with severe communication issues and in a wheelchair, Catherine has to face the fact that normal is difficult, and maybe unnecessary, to define.

Lord’s honest writing genuinely grasps the impact that a special needs child has on a family. This emotional story will show middle-grade readers what it means to be different, to feel different, and to find acceptance among our friends and family. It would make a great read-aloud with many opportunities for discussion along the way.

Reviews

KIRKUS REVIEWS: When 12-year-old Catherine is embarrassed by her autistic younger brother's behavior, her mother reassures her that "real friends understand." But Catherine is not convinced, and she is desperate to make a friend of the new girl next door. She doesn't like it when others laugh at David or ignore him; she writes down the rules so he will know what to do. Catherine is also uncomfortable about her growing friendship with 14-year-old Jason, a paraplegic. Jason uses a book of word cards to communicate, and Catherine enjoys making him new cards with more expressive words. Still, when he suggests that they go to a community-center dance, she refuses at first. Only when Jason sees through her excuse does she realize that her embarrassment is for herself. Catherine is an appealing and believable character, acutely self-conscious and torn between her love for her brother and her resentment of his special needs. Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences. (Fiction. 9-12)

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: Gr 4-7-Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. In an effort to keep life on an even keel, Catherine creates rules for him ("It's okay to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store"). Each chapter title is also a rule, and lots more are interspersed throughout the book. When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is anxious about her reaction to David. Then Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic who uses a book of pictures to communicate. Rules of behavior are less important than acceptance of others. Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.-Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.