Rules.Cynthia Lord. Scholastic Press: N.Y., c2006. 200 pages.
"Sometimes I wish someone would invent a pill so David'd wake up one morning without autism, like someone from a long coma, and he'd say "Jeez, Catherine, where have I been?" And he'd be a regular brother like Melissa has -- a brother who would give back as much as he took, who I could joke with, even fight with (Lord, 2006, p8)."
Plot/ Description:
"Sometimes I wish someone would invent a pill so David'd wake up one morning without autism, like someone from a long coma, and he'd say "Jeez, Catherine, where have I been?" And he'd be a regular brother like Melissa has -- a brother who would give back as much as he took, who I could joke with, even fight with (Lord, 2006, p8)."
Plot/ Description:
Twelve year- old Catherine is both protective and embarrassed by her younger brother David, who is autistic. Catherine is often left to watch over David and she feels neglected by her parents. In order to prepare her brother for life, Catherine creates a list of rules for him to follow. Some of the rules are very basic, but others reveal Catherine’s anxieties. When Kristy moves in next door, Catherine is excited to make a new friend and anxious about how she will react to David. Catharine is also uncomfortable about her growing friendship with 14 year- old Jason, who is paraplegic. Jason uses a word- book to communicate and Catherine enjoys making new word cards for him. However when Jason invites her to the community center dance, Catharine refuses because she has a rule about not dancing. Jason makes her realize that many of her rules are excuses. Catherine learns to let go of her embarrassment and joins Jason at the dance.
Review: Rules is a story about a girl learning to let go of the concept of “normal.” Catherine is wracked with anxiety whenever David interacts with anyone outside of her family. Catherine’s mother reminds her that real friends understand that her brother is different, but this wisdom does not penetrate Catherine’s worried heart. Catherine must also confront her anxieties about difference with her friend Jason. It upsets Jason that she draws him without a wheelchair because she is covering up his disability. The novel explores the subjects of autism, children’s rules, normalcy, personal conduct, embarrassment, people with disabilities and social acceptance. Catharine creates rules to protect David in social situations, but she also uses rules to protect herself from embarrassment. Catharine is forced to either let go of her rules or lose Jason as friend. The book characterizes the ways embarrassment can cause people to betray themselves. I think this story explains that "normal" is what we deal with everyday, and it isn't based on what other people think.
Personal Thoughts: "Fitting- in" is very important to tweens. Tweens are marketed to more and more in today's society, because it is important to tweens to model the attitude and style of their heroes. In Rules, Catherine feels like she doesn't fit- in with her peers because her brother has autism. Her rules are an attempt to control her brothers behavior, working to shield her from embarrassment, or- not fitting- in. But her rules actually alienate her from her friends and she decided to stop worrying about what other people think. This message is meaningful for tweens who fear embarrassment and it also teaches tweens to accept who they are and to accept people with disabilities as peers.
This award winning book is a core piece of Contemporary Realistic Fiction because it deals with the contemporary issue of autism, which is a growing concern everyday, as it explores the ways autism affects families. Children with disabled siblings will relate to Catherine’s simultaneous love and frustration for her brother and they will learn with Catherine that being a good friend is more important than being normal. In addition, the story is valuable for children without disabled family members and friends because it advocates for acceptance of disabled people.
Personal Thoughts: "Fitting- in" is very important to tweens. Tweens are marketed to more and more in today's society, because it is important to tweens to model the attitude and style of their heroes. In Rules, Catherine feels like she doesn't fit- in with her peers because her brother has autism. Her rules are an attempt to control her brothers behavior, working to shield her from embarrassment, or- not fitting- in. But her rules actually alienate her from her friends and she decided to stop worrying about what other people think. This message is meaningful for tweens who fear embarrassment and it also teaches tweens to accept who they are and to accept people with disabilities as peers.
This award winning book is a core piece of Contemporary Realistic Fiction because it deals with the contemporary issue of autism, which is a growing concern everyday, as it explores the ways autism affects families. Children with disabled siblings will relate to Catherine’s simultaneous love and frustration for her brother and they will learn with Catherine that being a good friend is more important than being normal. In addition, the story is valuable for children without disabled family members and friends because it advocates for acceptance of disabled people.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Age 9- 12
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Books- Middle Readers Category: 2007
Buckeye Children’s Book Award (Ohio): Grades 6- 8 Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan): Grades 6- 8
Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award (New Hampshire)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award: Grades 6- 8
Maine Student Book Award
Mitten Award (Michigan)
Schneider Family Book Awards: Middle School (ages 11- 13)
Newbery Honor Book, 2007
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