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A review by katykelly
Rules by Cynthia Lord
5.0
Honest look at disability from the perspective of a sibling.
An important read for many, the genre has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing with it a more general awareness and understanding of issues surrounding various disabilities.
Some books give us the voice of the individual with the condition (The Reasons I Jump), some the parents' views (A Boy Made of Blocks), and here we have a perfect choice for the siblings of those with autism - narrated by a loving yet embarrassed and frustrated elder sister.
At 12, Catherine is highly conscious of how she and her younger brother David must look to outsiders. His constant 'differences', outbursts and specific behaviours have made her set him a series of Rules, from not throwing toys in the fish tank to knowing that someone laughing at you might not like you but want to hurt you. Her parents make time for him but never her. She's stuck babysitting or going to his medical appointments with him all the time. And it's summer, and her best friend is away.
A new neighbour moves in next door, prompting worries over how Catherine can try and make a new friend without being mortified by her brother's behaviours. And at David's therapy, she meets a boy with needs of his own but who could also become a friend. If she lets him.
Catherine is oh so real. On the cusp of adolescence, a hard time for any youngster at the best of times, she's a realistic depiction of a sister and daughter who can be selfish and short-tempered, then exhibit the most loving sisterly acts (winding her brother's cassettes that unspool, sharing quotes from Frog and Toad books that reassure him).
We don't see as much of David as I would have expected, but I was happy to spend more time with Catherine and Jason, whose relationship becomes rather touching and valuable. Her art, her words and how they connect brings the two stories together touchingly. She isn't flawless, and by the close isn't in 'all resolved' mode, but we can see how she's going to keep growing into a place where she can live with her family and life as it is, and even embrace it.
Readers aged 9-14 will find common ground with Catherine, whether they are in a similar situation or not. Though the book will be of particular interest to young people who do know somebody with similar conditions.
An important read for many, the genre has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing with it a more general awareness and understanding of issues surrounding various disabilities.
Some books give us the voice of the individual with the condition (The Reasons I Jump), some the parents' views (A Boy Made of Blocks), and here we have a perfect choice for the siblings of those with autism - narrated by a loving yet embarrassed and frustrated elder sister.
At 12, Catherine is highly conscious of how she and her younger brother David must look to outsiders. His constant 'differences', outbursts and specific behaviours have made her set him a series of Rules, from not throwing toys in the fish tank to knowing that someone laughing at you might not like you but want to hurt you. Her parents make time for him but never her. She's stuck babysitting or going to his medical appointments with him all the time. And it's summer, and her best friend is away.
A new neighbour moves in next door, prompting worries over how Catherine can try and make a new friend without being mortified by her brother's behaviours. And at David's therapy, she meets a boy with needs of his own but who could also become a friend. If she lets him.
Catherine is oh so real. On the cusp of adolescence, a hard time for any youngster at the best of times, she's a realistic depiction of a sister and daughter who can be selfish and short-tempered, then exhibit the most loving sisterly acts (winding her brother's cassettes that unspool, sharing quotes from Frog and Toad books that reassure him).
We don't see as much of David as I would have expected, but I was happy to spend more time with Catherine and Jason, whose relationship becomes rather touching and valuable. Her art, her words and how they connect brings the two stories together touchingly. She isn't flawless, and by the close isn't in 'all resolved' mode, but we can see how she's going to keep growing into a place where she can live with her family and life as it is, and even embrace it.
Readers aged 9-14 will find common ground with Catherine, whether they are in a similar situation or not. Though the book will be of particular interest to young people who do know somebody with similar conditions.