Rules

By: Cynthia Lord

Narrated by: Jessica Almasy

This 2007 Newbery Honor Book is a humorous and heartwarming debut about feeling different and finding acceptance.

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability.

She's spent years trying to teach David the rules—from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"—in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?

"A heartwarming first novel"—Booklist

©2006 Cynthia Lord (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Newbery Honor Book, 2007

voices great

The glimpse into a young teen's growing up with an autistic sibling is refreshing, and I loved the performance and inclusion of a nonverbal, wheelchaired character who is neurotypical.
My only critique is the portrayal of adults rarely showing up for their children, or showing up overprotectively or obliviously. As a parent to neurodiverse and medically complex kids, I realize this is a sore spot, and on one hand I do like the call out for adults' awareness, but I thought the portrayals were a bit harsh.

Great Story

I have 2 boys with Autism and 3 other kiddos. This story is so relatable for families! it made me realize we aren't alone and looks at the perspective of the sisters and it's a beautiful story.

Amazing!

This book was a totally eye opening book. It will really make you think the next time you look at people funny or say anything. I heard this book with kids (12 and 10) and they LOVED this book.

SUPER GREAT

I liked that the main character bother is a little crazy like me I'm 9 and I can relate to the main character's brother a lot!

Impactful

I love that there is a book that young adults can read from the perspective of a young adult that has a sibling with a disability. Well done.