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Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
EAN num: 9780439443838
ISBN number: 0439443830
Label: Scholastic Paperbacks
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 224
Printing Date: September 01, 2008
Publishing house: Scholastic Paperbacks
Age index: Ages 9-12
Sale Popularity Level: 4289
Studio: Scholastic Paperbacks
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near 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 from 'a peach is not a funny-looking apple' to 'keep your pants on in public'---in order to head off David's embarrassing behaviors.
But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
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Rated by buyers 
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Whoa. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I've read in a while, which is saying something, especially since this is classified as MG. Anyway, I started this on Christmas Day night just to try it , even though I'd really started a few books I'd received as Christmas presents, and I only put it done once (and that was only because we were going to my grandma's). I stayed up half the night, despite being ridiculously tired from the food and excitement of the day, just to finish it. So what made the book so great?
For one, the plot flew by effortlessly. It wasn't one of those plots were one big thing happens and everything is resolved. It's one of those where the MC learns to deal with something better and also experiences some little things that change her point-of-view, which sometimes makes it seem like there's no plot but in this case, it worked out perfectly.
Then there's the characters. Catherine, David, and Jason were so incredibly well-developed that I felt like I knew them. Catherine was so easy to relate to that it almost felt like I was her, dealing with David and Jason myself. David, having had some friends with autism in the past, was also realistic. But, above both of them, Jason was by far my favorite. Not a whole lot is said about why he's in the wheelchair but the way he treats Catherine and how he acts makes him a unique character. I would have loved to see more of him in the story.
Rules was not what I expected but it blew me away. If you haven't read it, I recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.
Rated by buyers -
I was shocked to see that anyone didn't like this book, to each his/her own.
I think this book does a remarkable job at putting those akward feelings about a "different" person in your life into words.
Catherine's brother is autistic and she loves him, feels bad when people stare at him, feels guilty when she yells at him and wishes that he could just argue back like a "normal" brother. There are a lot of kids out there who feel this way about a disabled family member and I think this helps sort out those feelings.
In this book Catherine helps David to fit in or be comfortable by giving him rules. Rules help David. Jason believes that Catherine's rules are her scapegoat for acceptance.
I also think this book is terrific for the parents, it exposes the guilt, concern and pressure that a parent of a child with special needs might be feeling.
I cried about Catherine's honesty, I was simply touched. Even Catherine's friendship to Jason is so very real to me. As for classrooms, I think that this is a great book for discussion. Differences - WE GOTTA HAVE 'EM. I read this book for a book club for 9-11 year old girls and their mothers.
Rated by buyers 
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My opinion of this book was not very good. It was extremely slow getting to the climax of the book. It took 200 pages just to get to the dance. They started talking about the dance in the middle of the book, like on page 75-100. I did not think that there was a real point to the book other than to tell you that it is hard to have a sibling with a disability. The book was also pretty boring. I can normally read a book speedily, but this book took longer because it didn't really engage me in the story. Also nothing really happened other then the main events. The whole book was basically Catherine goes to OT, subsequent day she plays with Kristi, subsequent day she makes words for Jason, goes and swims at pond with Kristi, makes posters for dance, then goes to Jason's party then to the dance. Even the main events were briefly described. I would probably not recommend buying or reading this book.
Rated by buyers 
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This book wasn't terrible but far away from good. It was reptive and quite frankly boring. I've heard lot's of people loved it but I just couldn't get into it. This book did make you think a little bit,but I think this book either strikes you the wronge way or the right way. I do not reccomend this book.
Rated by buyers -
"No toys in the fish tank."
"Chew with your mouth closed."
"Not everything worth keeping has to be useful."
"Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you."
These are just some of the rules Catherine has created for the day her brother is miraculously cured from autism. Catherine lives her life taking care of her younger brother and trying to keep him from embarrassing her. When she becomes friends with Jason, a boy that can't talk and must use a wheelchair, she gains a new perspective on life and on her brother.
I LOVED this book! I felt for Catherine, for David, and for Jason. I could see all perspectives. That is why the book is so amazing. Catherine has normal feelings, even if she knows they are wrong on some level. The book shows that even if someone is different, they still have normal, everyday feelings, just like the rest of us. They shouldn't be treated differently. I like the realization that Catherine makes at the end of the book about David and about Jason. And about herself and who she wants to be.
You must read this book!!!
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