Rules by Cynthia Lord

“You can yell on a playground but not during dinner”

“A boy can take off his shirt to swim, but not his shorts”

“If you want to get away from someone check your watch and say ‘sorry gotta go!’”


These are just a few of the rules Catherine giver her brother in the heartfelt book Rules by Cynthia Lord. Rules is a story about a young girl Catherine who has a brother named David with Autism. The book is from Catherine’s perspective on her life and the ups and downs of living with someone who is autistic.
Life isn’t easy for Catherine, a young girl trying to live a normal life with friends while also trying to cope with the difficulties of her brother’s disability. During the summer Catherine tries to become friends with the new next door neighbor but David makes it difficult for Catherine to find confidence in building a new friendship. Luckily Catherine ends up meeting a boy who can not speak or walk, a close friendship forms and she builds her confidence and learns not to be embarrassed of her brother or anyone for that matter.
Have you ever been embarrassed by someone else’s actions? Or do you know the difficulties of living with someone with a disability and need something to connect too?
If so this book is perfect to bring strength and confidence too many who feel uncomfortable near someone with a disability. The book Rules, gives readers courage in overlooking that feeling, learning to face our fears and follow our hearts.