What's it like to be 12 years old and have a younger brother who is autistic? This is the life Catherine lives. and she wants NORMAL. She gives her brother rule after rule. Keep your pants on in public, and don't throw things in the fish tank. Then a new girl moves in next door, and it seems Catherine might get her wish.
But when Catherine goes along for her brother's check-up, she meets a boy, Jason, who is confined to a wheel chair and who communicates by pointing at pictures. Now Catherine is faced with a life lesson. As she develops a friendship with Jason, a parapalegic, she sees the connections she creates there and the kindness, honesty and genuine caring they have with each other.
The new girl who moved in next door, Kristi, of the perfect bedroom, perfect clothes and perfect life begin to fade.
Now Catherine has to look at herself and decide what rules really make the world go round. What exactly is normal anyway?
Rules is a 2007 Newbery Honor book. 224 pages Ages 8-12 978-0439443838
Recommended by: Barb
