Rules

Rules

• Genre: Fiction; Middle grade, realistic fiction
• Originally Published: 2006
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 670L; Grades 4-7
• Structure/Length: 18 chapters; approximately 224 pages; approximately 4 hours, 19 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Catherine, a young girl whose life is affected by her younger brother David, a person with autism. Catherine is trying to navigate the challenges of growing up, making friends, and dealing with her family dynamics while also ensuring that David adheres to the rules she creates for him. As Catherine forms an unexpected friendship with a boy named Jason, she begins to question the rules she has set and learns valuable lessons about acceptance and understanding. The central conflict revolves around Catherine's internal struggles, the complexities of family relationships, and her journey to find her voice and identity.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Discussions of autism; potential ableism

Cynthia Lord, Author

• Bio: American author known for her children's and young adult novels; often explores themes of empathy, friendship, and the challenges of growing up in her works; Rules is her debut novel and has garnered acclaim for its portrayal of a young girl's perspective on living with a sibling with autism; has a background in education and psychology, which informs her understanding of character dynamics; known for her ability to address complex themes in an accessible way for young readers
• Other Works: Touch Blue (2010); Half a Chance (2014); Because of the Rabbit (2019); A Handful of Stars (2015); Hot Rod Hamster series (2009-2011); Shelter Pet Squad series (2014-2016); There's a Wolf at the Door (2021)
• Awards: Newbery Honor (2007)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Every Soul Is Isolated and Challenged
• People Are More Than the Challenges They Face
• Words Are Important, Though Not the Only Form of Communication

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an understanding of the social and scientific contexts around autism that drive Catherine’s conflict regarding her brother.
• Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Every Soul Is Isolated and Challenged; People Are More Than the Challenges They Face; and Words Are Important, Though Not the Only Form of Communication.
• Plan, write, and present rules that could help a specific person navigate experiences, as Catherine does for David.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the role of movement, ideas about communication, and other topics.