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Opinion
From Library Staff
The "rules" in the title refer to the rules Catherine creates for her autistic brother as a way to help shape his definition of the world. Wonder fans that liked Via's perspective may appreciate reading another older sister's point of view.
From the critics

Community Activity
Age
Add Age Suitabilityburgundy_ox_0 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 9 and 11
blue_cheetah_3163 thinks this title is suitable for 7 years and over
Michelle Liu thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 8 and 12
white_sheep_143 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 9 and 13
blue_porcupine_118 thinks this title is suitable for 9 years and over
Quotes
Add a Quote"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."
“Saying you will do something means you have to do it – unless you have a very good excuse”
“I wish everyone had the same chances," I say. "Because it stinks a big one that they don't." - Catherine”
"He needs to be taught everything. Everything from the fact that a peach is not a funny-looking apple to how having long hair doesn't make someone a girl."
Summary
Add a SummaryCatherine has been wishing for a normal life for years. It's never came true since his brother, David has Autism. Everybody stares at them especially at the video store when David looks at a video and then announces everything that's on the back of the video - who can't stare at that? But, things are starting to change when Catherine gets a new neighbour, a stylish pretty girl named Kristi and she meets a cute boy with a wheelchair and can't talk named Jason. She wants both of them to be her friend, since her old friend Melissa moved away to another state, but its almost impossible when Kristi gets a boyfriend named Ryan, a boy that Catherine hates so much, David getting in the way all the time, Catherine having to always attend David's OT (Occupational Therapy), and Catherine helping and visiting Jason. She has to choose either Kristi or Jason, but decides to choose both which ends up in a challenging and messy schedule. Will Catherine face the challenges and get both friends? Or will she try to face the challenges, but fail and lose both friends? Read this book to find out more about Catherine's tough life.
Catherine is the older sister of David. David has autism. Catherine feels neglected by her parents, who are more focused on David and his disabilty. Catherine makes rules for her brother to make sure that he knows what to do and what not to do. Kristi moves next door and friends another person with a disability. It is established that normal is hard and accepting others is more important.
Catherine, twelve years old, tells the story about herself and the challenges she faces with her younger brother, David, who is dealing with autism. She is embarrassed by her brother, neglected by her parents, and does not feel accepted amongst others. As she searches for the definition of "normal", she realizes that defining this is not necessary and being different is a great thing. In the end, Catherine finds the acceptance she has been longing for while learning a little about herself.
This book is told by Catherine, a girl with a brother who has autism, who tries to make her brother normal by giving him rules to follow because David, her brother, embarrassed Catherine, often. She eventually strives through each issue she encountered with David and overcome each in the end.
This book is about an autistic child named David. His sister Catherine tries to make her brother "normal" and make rules for him to abide by. Catherine goes through struggles with how to cope with her brother's autism, and overcomes them in the end. She soon realizes the importance of family and the people around her, especially her brother.

Comment
Add a CommentRules is a book that really changes your mindset on many real life issues and events that happen to everyday people; people like Catherine who just wants to befriend her new neighbour over the summer. Catherine herself is ‘normal’; but she has one goal for the summer, and that is to make her autistic brother, David, understand the basic aspects of life by giving him rules. Rules like not taking off your shorts at the swimming pool, like not putting toys in the fish tank. Rules that seem so logical to us, but so hard for David to understand. Catherine worries, and she worries when she befriends a disabled boy at David’s clinic. There is undeniable truth in everything that happens in this book; the author isn’t afraid to sugarcoat the truth about how real people think in these oh-so-real situations. Catherine, who just wants a new friend over the summer (and maybe will find that person in a place she never thought to look), and her book of rules is a must read for all those who enjoyed Out of My Mind, Wonder, and similar titles. Rating 5/5
- @jewelreader of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
I read this with a 3rd Grade Book Club and it was a huge hit. It opened up discussions about autism and gave the kids a perspective that they could easily understand. I can't recommend this book enough.
All time favorite!
I never read books more than once and I have read rules 6 times, about to be 7. This book allows for readers to find a new Understanding for Autism, which not many people can do. His book allowed for me to realize that disabilities are nothing to be ashamed of in any way. I highly recommend this book for any age above 8.
Just couldn't get into this book.
Twelve-year-old Catherine justs wants a normal life. But this can be difficult if everything about your life and your family is so very different. Catherine has had to be a big sister to a brother with autism, which has caused her no shortage of frustration over the years as she tries to help her brother navigate through “normal” life. “Rules” is a heartwarming story about feeling different and finding acceptance.
Very good book.
funny, cool, awesome
I really enjoyed this book. It hist close to home as i have a friend and a younger sister with autism.
I admire the main character for stepping up and helping her brother and new friend.
Rules expresses living with a sibling with a disability. It is an interesting point of view,
It was pretty good, but the ending was really dull.