Rules

Twelve-year-old Catherine struggles to balance her own identity with the demands of her family life in Maine. Her younger brother, David, has autism, and Catherine manages his social behavior by teaching him a strict set of rules for conversation and public etiquette. Her summer changes when she meets Jason, a nonverbal teenager who uses a communication book of pictures, and Kristi, a new neighbor she hopes to impress. Catherine must decide if David’s unpredictable public outbursts and Jason’s disability define her social standing or if her rigid rules prevent actual connection.

Middle-grade readers find this story useful for understanding the internal conflict of siblings who feel invisible next to a brother or sister with high needs. The narrative provides a realistic look at the frustration and guilt associated with caregiving responsibilities. Readers gain a perspective on nonverbal communication and the social barriers faced by people with disabilities. The book leaves the audience with a clearer sense of how acceptance functions when social norms are discarded in favor of genuine friendship.

Inward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.

Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?