BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lord, Cynthia. RULES. 2006. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822
PLOT SUMMARY
In RULES, Catherine must deal with her autistic brother, David. David seems to get all of her parents’ attention, and much against her wishes, much of hers. In order to try to make her life better, she keeps a list of “rules for David” so that he will learn how to behave more normally. This summer, Catherine makes friends with the pretty girl who just moved in next door in her “regular life” and a disabled boy from her brother’s OT office in her “disabled brother life”. When these two separate worlds threaten to collide, Catherine is caught between them and has to decide who she is and what is really important to her.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this contemporary realistic fiction novel, Lord creates a very human, very fallible protagonist in Catherine. She is kind and loving, and because she has an autistic brother, “sees” disabled people that someone without her background would not. However, she is also a teenager and is constantly embarrassed by her brother’s outbursts and inappropriate behavior. As Catherine learns who she is and what is really important, the reader learns that disabled people are just people, and that their friendship and their feelings are just as important as anyone else’s.
The supporting characters are also wonderful. The character of Jason, the disabled boy she meets at OT is also believable and endearing. He shows how frustrating it is to live with a disability and calls Catherine (and the reader) out on her beliefs. The character of the neighbor Kristi shows how society is blind to disabled people, and the character of Ryan shows us how society bullies and teases disabled people.
This story teaches us to “see” people as people and not to look away. Not to shush our children. Not to pretend. We learn to see. We learn to love. And in a world where teenagers and children can be so cruel, this confused and ashamed and loving protagonist is just who we need to teach us this. I believe that any child can see themselves in Catherine, recognize their behaviors and beliefs, and change with her. How awesome is that?
Lord does not keep the whole story serious and lesson-laden. The list of rules that Catherine keeps for herself and her brother David add a level of hilarity to each chapter. One chapter is called “Pantless brothers are not my problem” and several times through the story David runs in and says, “No toys in the fish tank,” which always leads to an adventure to fish something inappropriate out of the fish bowl. Catherine and David have short, funny adventures as the story progresses and her love for him is always apparent.
This novel is beautiful, touching, and perfect for a time in our society where autism is on the rise.
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
- Newbery Honor Medal
- Schneider Family Book Award
- Mitten Award (Michigan Library Association)
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award
- Publisher’s Weekly: "The appealing, credible narrator at the heart of Lord's debut novel will draw in readers, as she struggles to find order and balance in her life.... A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view."
- Booklist: "A heartwarming first novel."
- School Library Journal: "Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. . . this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter."
CONNECTIONS
- Read another book by Cynthia Lord such as TOUCH BLUE or A HANDFUL OF STARS.
- Read other books on autism or disabilities for children.
- Discuss with students how to treat people who look different or act different (this may be a great place to work with the counselors).
- Discuss the universal themes of this novel and have students write a personal narrative about a time when they had to make a choice like Catherine did.
- Students can study the rise of autism or the controversy surrounding the causes of it (Cross-curricular with Science).
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