Rules

By: Cynthia Lord

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Copyright: 2008

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life which is nearly impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules that other people know but David has to learn, "If the bathroom door is closed, knock" - "No toys in the fish tank" in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But this summer things are different, Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy and she begins to form a friendship with him after offering to draw pictures for his communication book. Then a girl named Kristi moves next-door, she is the friend that Catherine has always wanted, but she can't seem to figure Kristi out. Catherine becomes conflicted with two very different lifestyles and she is forced to ask herself, "What is so important about being normal anyway?"

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Guided Reading

Lexile Level: 780L

Key Vocabulary: Occupational therapist, autism, disability, speech therapist, communication book, normal

Web Resources:

Learn about the Author: Cynthia Lord Website

Book Trailer for Rules: YouTube-Rules

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Invite a guest speaker talk to your students about autism or have your school speech or occupational therapist come in and talk to the students about their career and how they help people with certain disabilities.

After Reading: Have students write a Poem for Two Voices, if students want to write from Jason point of view, what would he say if he could talk?

Writing Activity: If you were to make communication cards for Jason, what words or phrases would you write? Explain your reasoning behind your choices. (Students can also illustrate the picture that goes along with the word or phrase)