This book is all about the rules
We all know that a big part of life is rules. In normal life, you just know some of the rules; no one had to teach them to you. That, at least, is the opinion of 12-year-old Catherine, the main character in Cynthia Lord's book "Rules" (Scholastic, 2011).
What Catherine wants most of all this summer is a normal life. But when your 8-year-old brother, David, has autism things seem all but normal. David loves rules, and he repeats them constantly; he even tries to adhere to them in his own way. Some of his rules are: no toys in the fish tank; pants stay on unless mom, dad or the doctor tell you to take them off; and if someone says "hi," to you, say "hi" to them. Rules are a big part of living with autism for Catherine's family, but there is so much to the situation.
The book also is about friendship, love and acceptance. Catherine has an opportunity to develop two very different friendships during her summer vacation. One is with Jason, whom she meets at David's therapy facility. Although David is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak, Catherine draws on her artistic ability and her own experiences to communicate with Jason and form a close bond. But at the same time, Catherine longs to become best friends with Kristi, the new girl next door. When the two friendships seem to conflict, Catherine has to decide what really is normal and where her loyalties lie.
Lord, herself a mother of a child with autism, gives the reader insights into the family life with these special children. She explores some of her own questions about living with someone who sees things so differently than most people.
This is a sensitive book about a problem that is, statistically, not uncommon. Parts of the book are humorous, some heartwarming and others just break your heart. It is a candidly written, and Catherine is so genuine. It is a great read for children ages 10 and older who may find themselves asking, "What would I have done in Catherine's place?"
Look for "Rules" in the juvenile fiction section at Donald W. Reynolds Library Serving Baxter County, 300 Library Hill. It also is available in paperback for $6.99 or in hardback for $15.99 at Hastings Books, Music and Videos.
Joanne Ragsdale is a former children's librarian living in the Twin Lakes Area. E-mail her at newsroom@baxterbulletin.com .
Rules By Cynthia Lord - News
We all know that a big part of life is rules. In normal life, you just know some of the rules; no one had to teach them to you. That, at least, is the opinion of 12-year-old Catherine, the main character in Cynthia Lord's book "Rules" (Scholastic,
Cynthia McKinney lost her re-election bid because she spoke the truth about the Jew's sadistic and oppressive enslavement of the Palestinians. A Muslim student group was suspended from UC Irvine for protesting the illegal Zionist Regime's apartheid
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When she was 3 years old Samantha Elizabeth Smith went to her parents, Bernard and Cynthia Smith of North Hampton, and asked if she could play the violin. They asked her to wait, to be sure that she was truly ready to stick with it.
Such was a pitch by Cynthia Gandolfo, Galloway, to which Stroby responded, “It's a two-word pitch, 'menopause cookbook.' My publisher would say 'How soon can you get it to me!'” Eckstut needed some convincing “So this is a menopause cookbook?
Award Winning Wednesday- Rules by Cynthia Lord
Life with autism is incredibly hard. It is a challenge every single day, both for those with autism and for those around them, especially those who love and want to help them. Catherine faces this every day. She loves her brother. You can feel it in the way she talks to him, feel it in every interaction. But she is also only 12 years old. Her parents give her a lot of responsibility, ask her to babysit her brother, keep an eye on him, and to offer him any help he needs. But sometimes, Catherine just wants to feel normal. She wants to be able to go places without worrying about what David will do or say. It's hard for her. Her parents pay more attention to David, because he needs them more, and while she understands this, knows that this is true, she often feels left behind, as if her parents have forgotten that she still needs them too. Life with David is challenging, and Catherine is quite inventive in how she communicates with him. David deals best in absolutes. Words like maybe or I don't know stress him out and make him uncomfortable. To help him (and herself) Catherine creates rules for David to follow. Each chapter begins with a rule, and more are given throughout chapters. The rules vary from basic and easy to understand, like 'Chew with your mouth closed' and 'No toys in the fish tank', to others that are more ambiguous like, 'Late doesn't mean not coming', or 'Sometimes people laugh when they like you, but sometimes people laugh to hurt you'. One of the things Catherine struggles with is the idea that everyone is watching her and David, focusing on the awkward things David does. She's 12, which is an age where you are now becoming more socially aware, more aware of what people think and how they view you. While she isn't ashamed of her brother, she is often embarrassed by him and she can't help wishing that he could be different, that he could be normal. But she tries. She genuinely loves David and she does all she can to make things easier for him. Sometimes, it's hard for her to know what's right, but she does love him. That is one of the biggest lessons that Catherine needs to learn in this book. That it doesn't matter what other people think, how other people see you. She meets a new boy when she goes with her mom to take David to Occupational Therapy (OT). Jason is in a wheelchair. He cannot speak, so he uses a communication book to talk for him. He points to words he wants and hopes the words he has are enough.
Rules By Cynthia Lord - Bookshelf
Rules
Rules
Rules
Hot Rod Hamster
By the author of the Newbery Honor book, Rules.2011 Children's Writer's And Illustrator's Market
Can't work a full-time job into the story? “In Rules, the character's mother was an accountant, so Cynthia Lord ...Everyday Knowledge Directory
Cynthia Lord - Rules
'Rules' is the Newbery Honor Award-winning novel by Cynthia Lord for children ages 9-13.
Cynthia Lord - Children's Book Author
Official website of Cynthia Lord, Newbery Honor Award-winning author of children's novels 'Rules' and 'Touch Blue,' and the picture book 'Hot Rod Hamster'
Cynsations: Author Interview: Cynthia Lord on Rules
Cynthia Lord is a former middle-school teacher and bookseller. ... I wrote Rules in 2000, and it was accepted by Scholastic at the very end of 2001. ...
Amazon.com: Rules (9780439443838): Cynthia Lord: Books
Amazon.com: Rules (9780439443838): Cynthia Lord: Books ... Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's own ...
Rules by Cynthia Lord - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
Rules has 5,830 ratings and 1,480 reviews. Swee'tea said: This is a quick read, I read it ... Rules, by author Cynthia Lord, is a touching look at the life of a young girl, ...