(Rules) [By: Lord, Cynthia] [Feb, 2009]

by Cynthia Lord

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens

Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

I'm the author of the children's book, RULES."

Reviews

[Ellie Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I’m going to be teaching 5th grade next year I’m trying to get into my YA reading era this summer. This was my 6th grade summer reading book and I remember loving it. I think it’s one of the books that got me interesting in disability advocacy. The narrator is able bodied and neurotypical but we get to see her thoughts living with a younger brother with severe autism and the friendship she forms with someone who uses a wheelchair and a communication board.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my summer of reading classic children's literature, this was another book that felt like a lecture. This one at least is more realistic, with a more likable main character. But there are too many cliches, the writing itself is pretty boring, and the conflict feels underdone rather than nuanced (but there was an attempt at nuance and subtlety!). The plotlessness of this novel made it easy to put down and ignore.

[Claire Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give 3.5 rating of this book, it was a great story of how a girl doing with a brother and a friend (at the OT she meet) in the world of people who judge them.

[Bella Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meaningful

[Kyaira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this for any 5th-6th grader to read! a great book about inclusion!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this hoping it would work for one of my own kids, but I think it's a bit much for them.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, honest story that follows a tween girl as she navigates social and familial relationships while caring for and interacting with her younger brother who has autism.

[Kam Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, Simple, good for kids. Wish there was more to the story

[Hanna Pavlish · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️⭐️ I loved this when I read it in school and I loved how Catherine was really nervous in the beginning and as the book goes on she becomes more loose and realized that you shouldn’t really care that much about what people think

[Rebecca Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical 12 year Catherine is caught between finding a world of independence, and helping with her younger sibling who takes up an exceptional amount of time and patience. David, her brother with autism, struggles to follow the 'rules' she created to help him navigate a world not build for him. When a new neighbor moves in next door the same age as her, Catherine to face and accept that sometimes rules don't need to be followed. This book is especially supportive to the family members who are caught between love an frustration when living with a loved one with unique needs. The book is respectful, insightful, and leaves the reader with full heart.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 stars for me:
I like the book because it was interesting. One thing that was interesting was that Kristi didn't know that Jason was in a wheelchair, because she had never met him. She only saw pictures of him. Also, I like that Catherine after she denied Jason asking her to the dance she came back and asked him if he could go because he was sad. At first she was embarrassed and that was sad.
Some of the book was repetitive. I didn't like that part.
I think other people should read it because I think other people would like to read it, especially girls who have brothers or sisters with special needs.
-Evelyn

5 stars for me:
This book is special because there are not a lot of books like this on this subject. The characters seem so real. The story, emotions, and people all of them seem so real. This book is on my top three all time favorite books. Ignore the 1 star ratings and read this a.s.a.p.
-Micah