Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Catherine is a babysitter not unlike other 12 year-olds. But her charge is her 8 year old autistic brother. She takes the role of watching him serious and has a series of rules to keep him in line and to help him function in public. Catherine the narrator in this book explains that every thing must be taught to her brother and he functions better when things are presented as rules. At David's occupational therapy sessions, Catherine strikes up a friendship with Jason. He is about her age maybe older and in a wheelchair. He uses word cards and a communication book to talk. Catherine draws pictures and Jason compliments her on one of her drawings. Their next visit she offers to create some word cards for him. 

At this time, there is a new family moving in across the street. Catherine is excited because the family includes a girl her age. She hopes they can become best friends. She is mortified at their first meeting because David has a breakdown. Eventually they strike up a friendship and Kristi seems to be sympathetic to Catherine's situation with her brother. 

Over the summer Catherine grows closer to Jason. Kristi wants Catherine to go to a dance with her and Ryan, a boy Catherine can't stand. When Catherine objects because she doesn't have a date, Kristi suggests Jason not knowing that Jason is non verbal and in a wheelchair.  Catherine is too embarrassed to tell Ryan and Kristi the truth so she makes excuses. Turns out the dance is the same day as Jason's birthday party and he invites her to that. So that becomes Catherine's excuse to not attend the dance. At the party, Jason finds out about the dance and asks Catherine to go with him. When she declines, he accuses her of being embarrassed of him.She denies it but he know its true. Catherine leaves the party with David and after some soul searching calls Jason's house and invites him to the dance.

Once there she introduces Kristi to David. Kristi is surprised to see Jason and Catherine apologizes for not be straightforward with her. Kristi leaves slightly upset. Catherine and Jason go and dance a big move for Catherine since she doesn't like to dance especially in public.

In the end Catherine learns to accept her brother warts and all and realize that their relationship is something special.

It must be hard to be a child and have so much responsibility put on you. And siblings of handicapped potentially have a lifetime of care giving ahead of them. When the parents get too old or pass it will be up the the siblings to take care of the person. Catherine is no different than any other 12 year old.She loves her brother but at times is embarrassed by his condition and just wishes for a reprieve every now and then. This is compounded when she meets and begins a relationship with Jason. Its the same feeling. She enjoys him but still is worried what others will think of the two of them if they are seen in public by people she knows. Students need to read this book. They need to understand that having a person that in your family that is different is nothing to be ashamed of. But it is understandable and common if you have feelings of exasperation at times. It is a growing process have an autistic person in your family and as much as Catherine tried, there isn't a rule book.