Rules

Rules

Author: Cynthia Lord

Publisher: Scholastic (2006)

ISBN: 0545036402

5 (out of 5) STARS

Summary: Catherine wishes for a "normal" life, but it is difficult with her brother who has autism. But the summer brings two new friends into Catherine's life and she learns to redefine normal.

Review:

“RULES FOR DAVID

Chew with your mouth closed.

Say ‘thank you’ when someone gives you a present (even if you don’t like it.)

If someone says, ‘hi,’ you say ‘hi’ back.

When you want to get out of answering something, distract the questioner with
another question.

Not everything worth keeping has to be useful.

If the bathroom door is closed, knock (especially if Catherine has a friend over)!

Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.

No toys in the fish tank.”

Twelve year old Catherine and eight year old David are siblings. David has autism and his family revolves around his disability. Catherine writes down and explains social and behavioral rules to help David understand how to act appropriately. This is the fascinating part about autism because so much of human behavior is learned not taught. But for David everything must be spelled out specifically and often even then it does not help.

As Catherine gets older she worries more about how others react to David. Catherine finds an unlikely friend when she goes with David to his occupational therapy. Jason cannot talk or walk, but he thinks and feels just fine. Catherine and Jason help each other find peace in their own life experiences.