Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press

Plot Description: Just because other people think something doesn’t make it true. That may be the case, but it doesn’t make things any easier for Catherine who is constantly dealing with her younger brother who is autistic. Outsiders will stare and make fun of him so Catherine has decided to make rules that will help David fit in with society. While at one of David’s occupational therapy appointments, Catherine meets and becomes friends with Jason, who is mute and in a wheelchair. Throughout their friendship he helps her become more comfortable with both his and David’s disabilities. She also learns that others are not always going to be tolerant and accepting, but what others think does not always matter.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 5-8.

Series Information/Similar Books: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Personal Thought: This book adds a touch of humor while showing the full experience that a family dealing with autism goes through.

Subject/Themes: Autism, Friendship

Awards: Schneider Family Book Award, Newberry Honor Book

Character Description: Catherine is a twelve year old girl who has a younger brother, David, who is autistic. She is embarrassed by the way he acts because he is much different than other peole.

David is eight years old and is autistic. His favorite place is the video store where he can read through videos for hours.

Jason is a boy that is Catherine’s age. He is in a wheel chair and is mute. He goes to the same Occupational Clinic as David and he and Catherine become good friends.

Annotation: “No toys in the fish tank” is just one of the many rules that Catherine has wrote down for her autistic brother David. Read along as Catherine experiences the gamut of emotions from frustration to guilt in her quest to get David to fit in.