Rules

Lord, Cynthia. Rules. 2008. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439443838

Plot Summary

Catherine loves her brother David, but sometimes his autism can get pretty frustrating. To help him cope with life's realities, she made him a book of rules, such as "When you want to get out of answering something, distract the questioner with another question," or "Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." The rules help to make sense of the world, both for David and for Catherine. If only life were really that black-and-white. When Catherine begins a friendship with one of the other clients at David's occupational therapy clinic, she starts to realize that as difficult as it is to have someone "different" in her family, it's nothing compared to being the one who is "different." 

Critical Analysis

In this realistic novel, Cynthia Lord explores what it is like to live with a brother with autism. She successfully captures both the affection and protectiveness Catherine feels for him, balancing it with the annoyance, frustration, and isolation she feels also. Catherine is a very believable character, one who the reader can easily identify with. She is very compassionate, but also very self-aware. She comes to a greater realization of her own shortfalls while still managing to overcome them.

This story takes just a slice of life during Catherine's summer, focusing on her summer vacation. The interactions and relationships developed in this story are limited to her family, her neighbors, and the people at the OT clinic, but it provides an excellent stage for the theme of seeing people as the total package of themselves. This was brought to the forefront when Catherine drew a picture of her with Jason without his wheelchair, and it really hurt his feelings. His disability was a part of who he is, and for him, to ignore it was just as bad as staring or making fun. Far from being didactic, Lord relies on the story to teach the lessons. 

Overall, Lord did a great job of providing realistic, sympathetic, flawed characters who give a window (or a mirror) for the reader to look into. I personally have had limited exposure to what it's like to live with someone with autism, so it provided an interesting peek to help me understand others' lives better. 

Professional Praise

2007 Newbery Award

Schneider Family Book Award

From Booklist:  "Torn between love for her brother and impatience with the responsibilities and embarrassment he brings, she strives to be on her parents' radar and to establish an identity of her own."

From School Library Journal: "This sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. . . A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter."

Connections

Cynthia has written other great stories to check out:

A Handful of Stars (2015). ISBN 978-0545700276

Touch Blue (2012) ISBN 978-0545035323

Half a Chance. (2014) ISBN 978-0545035330

For more stories about being "different," you might check out these books:

Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper (2012). ISBN 978-1416971719

Wonder, R. J. Palacio (2012) ISBN 978-0375869020












Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt (2015). ISBN 978-0399162596