Rules

What does it mean to be normal? Is there some magic set of rules that one must follow in order to be consider average? And who wants to be average anyway? Just how important is it to fit in with the mainstream? Or is it even more important to follow your own path, even it that means you may not fit in? Meet Catherine, a twelve-year-old girl who asks these questions to herself. For Catherine, her main concern in life is something that cannot be changed-her younger brother’s autism. Author Cynthia Lord writes the story of an extraordinary sibling relationship in the book, Rules. In this story, Catherine gives her brother rules that she believes will help him seem more normal to the outside world, but these rules are in place to make her feel more normal. Through trial and error, she will learn that not everything in life is picture perfect, and that some of the more beautiful things have quirks that make them so wonderful.
Rules is a story that many can relate to. How many of your own rules do you have that you make yourself follow each day? And have you ever stopped to think just how much easier life would be if you let these rules go? Read Catherine’s story and discover just how liberating it can be to go with the flow and realize that normal is overrated.