1. Bibliography
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. Rules. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439443838
2. Plot Summary
Catherine is a twelve year old girl whose little brother David has autism. She makes a list of rules for David such as "No toys in the fish tank" and "A boy can take off his shirt to swim, but not his shorts." She desperately wants to have a normal life and normal friends. With her best friend Melissa out of town for the whole summer, she tries to form a friendship with the new girl Kristi who just moved in next door. Between all of the rules she has in place for David and her new found friendship with a boy named Jason whom she met at David's occupational therapy clinic, she begins to question what it is that she is really searching for.
3. Analysis
This honest story of friendship and wanting to be just "normal" will resonate with any "tween" or teenager who reads it. The longing to fit in is something everyone experiences at that age in life. Catherine is often pushed aside by her parents who tend to focus on David's needs more than hers. She feels neglected and ignored and is often put in charge of David. All of these struggles make this book very believable and relatable.
The friendship between Catherine and her new friend Jason is both unexpected and heartwarming. Jason is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak. He uses a communication book that is filled with words that he can point to to convey what he wants to say. Catherine begins to make new illustrated cards with vibrant words for Jason's book and a friendship is born. The only problem is that Catherine won't tell Kristi the truth about Jason. Again, teenage insecurities abound and Catherine is forced to choose between losing Jason as a friend or impressing Kristi.
This book paints an authentic portrait of teenage struggles of fitting in and just being normal. The fact that two of the main characters are disabled on some way shows readers that all people are different and valuable no matter their differences. Lord doesn't sugar coat the disabilities, but presents them in a frank manner. David's sweet way of communicating with his sister using words from Frog and Toad and Jason's secret wishes to run and sometimes not to live will show readers and honest look at what people who have disabilities struggle with daily.
4. Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor Book
Schneider Family Book Award Winner
The Horn Book - "The emotions in this fast-paced novel ring true."
School Library Journal - "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."
Booklist - "The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships: Catherine experiences some of the same unease with Jason that others do in the presence of her brother. In the end, Jason helps Catherine see that her rules may really be excuses, opening the way for her to look at things differently. A heartwarming first novel."
5. Connections
*This book is a great way to start a conversation about people with disabilities and how to relate to them. Sometimes fear keeps people from getting to know someone with a disability. The teacher could suggest doing a class project with a severe and profound special education class at the school. The students can get to know the special education students and form relationships like those presented in Rules. See this website about the Spartan Sparkles cheerleaders and The Sparkle Effect for inspiration: http://www.spartansparkles.com/
*Students can be encouraged to write about or discuss their own insecurities openly in order to see that everyone is in the same boat.
*A book or list of class rules similar to Catherine's list can be compiled. Any and all suggestions should be accepted and it can be ongoing throughout the year.
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