Rules

By: Cynthia Lord

Narrated by: Jessica Almasy

Catherine, a 12-year-old girl with big responsibilities, loves her autistic younger brother David and makes lists of rules she thinks will help him get by. But she often feels that her parents, focused on special care for David, forget that she exists, too.

Rules, Cynthia Lord's Newbery and ALA Award-winning debut novel, is a tender look at the frustration, struggle, devotion, and hope experienced by families with autistic children.

©2006 Cynthia Lord (P)2007 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Newbery Honor Book, 2007

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.

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.

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.

I wish all would understand this message

I got this book to help some children who were assigned this as their summer reading. What I got was more than I expected, insight and understanding. I have a friend with an autistic child and I have learned to work with him and accept his rules (before the book). In return I have felt the love and joy of a friendship with my young friend.

The book was written at a level that the children I was helping would understand. It was written very well and if the readers will allow it, the book will change their perspectives of others. It will allow them to be less judgmental and less concerned with what others think of them and their friendships. I applaud the author and her work and hope that many people will read and appreciate this work.

Funny and complex

This book has some hilarious parts, clever parts, and even some sad parts. I think that this book is absolutely brilliant and great.

Want to talk about disability with

your kids? especially adolescents and teens? This book presents many issues to think about but with humor and real feelings. The narrator was a little lispy, which made her sound very young but she was good otherwise.

How well the Arthur did to make this so perfect,powerful, and beautiful you can tell she dug deep and made it feel real

Love it definitely recommend a tad bit sad but so happy it’s one of those books that you can’t stop reading and the person who narrated did amazing and the story really speaks to me and how if someone doesn’t like you for you then they are not a good friend it also makes you feel like keeping secrets is whats
Ruining this world

Great story

This is such a great book and it is so sad and then it gets happy it has so many feelings I loved it

Patient

I like this book because tell me how to be a little more patient with my brother because sometimes I’m not the most patient and he needs extra care

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.