What rules do you live by?

     I picked up Rules mainly because it was a Newbery Honor medal winner, which often means a fantastic read is on the way.  I was not disappointed, and even as an adult I learned much about autism, and the struggles of families coping with autism in children.  I sympathized with the main character's desire to fit in, in spite of her brother being "different" and I applauded her thoughtfulness toward others, which never felt forced.  I learned along with her as she met and befriended Jacob, a boy with cerebral palsy who plays piano and desperately wants to run and play guitar.
     Twelve-year-old Catherine lives with her family, including her autistic younger brother.  When Catherine is faced with a potential new best friend and a unique friendship at the same time, Catherine must choose.  Should she try to have a "normal" life with "normal" friends-- or redefine normal and accept those around her as they are?
     Rules  is a Newbery Honor Medal winner and has won at least five other awards, including the ALA Notable Children's Book, the NCTE Notable Children's book in the Language Arts, and a Schneider Book Award.
      Unlike many young adult and childrens' novels, Rules addresses the struggles of children who live with different abilities such as autism and cerebral palsy.  It also illustrates the struggle of the family members who live with and care for the differently-abled.  To see the main character Catherine work through her own biases and concerns, a reader can sympathize with her and realize that they may have felt the same way she does around special populations.  More than that, it may take a young reader to a place of understanding and realization of not only the limitations but also the tremendous depth and breadth of living that all kids of all abilities can participate in.
     The book is recommended for ages nine and up, though enthusiastic readers of younger ages may be up to tackling this slim volume, or a parent could read it to them.  Considering the topics covered, this would be a great family or curricular read-aloud for post-reading discussion about biases and what the children knew, didn't know, and found out about the differently-abled.  April is National Autism Awareness month and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, the perfect time for a display of this and similar titles such as Al Capone Does My Shirts, Al Capone Shines My Shoes, The Truth Out There, Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap, Looking After Lewis and A Wizard Alone: Book Six in the Young Wizards Series.
     Though I won't mention specific titles here, there are also both fiction and nonfiction books for adults on the subject of autism as well, and would be appropriate for display in the adult books section of a public library.  I will be pursuing the high school library setting, so I would be most likely to display books such as the Al Capone  books that is already on the shelves in the high school in which I work.  I appreciate there also being a sci-fi fantasy book that addresses the autism spectrum in a unique setting.
     Since there truly are kids from all different backgrounds and experiences, I appreciate Lord for addressing these differences in such a touching way.  In addition to read-alikes by other authors listed above, I would also recommend  Touch Blue, another novel by Lord about family taking in a foster child and the struggles of doing so, both for the child and for the family that opens their doors and arms.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Scholastic, Inc. Copyright 2006

ISBN: 978-0-439-44383-8

Available in Hardcover and Paperback