Rules by Cynthia Lord

A. Bibliography

Lord, Cynthia. Rules. Scholastic Press. 2006. ISBN# 0-439-44382-2.

B. Plot/Summary

"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."

C. Critical Analysis

The characters are so believable. Cynthia Lord does an excellent job with the development of the characters to help the readers care about them and have compassion for them. The language is also believable because it is written just the way kids would talk at that stage in their life.

The plot is definitely plausible because there are many siblings out there that are having to live with autism.

Cynthia Long set the story in a contemporary time period. The story could be told many years earlier or even some time in the future as well. This is one topic that has been around a while but it is being brought to our attention.

I commend Cynthia for bringing to the forefront such a difficult topic and to help young teens to learn how to be compassionate for those that have disabilities.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

John Newberry Medal, 2007

Mitten Award, 2006

Schneider Family Book Award, 2007

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 5))

"Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences."

Robin Henry (Library Media Connection, October 2006)

"This is a great book to help students gain some understanding about autism, while also providing a good read."

E. Connections

*other books by Cynthia Lord (new author)

Hot Rod Hamster!

Touch Blue

*other books about people with disabilities

Teacher's Pet by Laurie Halse Anderson

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Of Sound Mind by Jean Ferris