Rules

Lord, C. (2008).  Rules. New York: Scholastic.

Twelve-year-old Catherine has a younger brother, David, with autism and this novel demonstrates the ups and downs of living with someone with special needs and how it affects everyone in the family. She is continually updating a list of rules to help David navigate life a little better. Catherine has to deal with her own feelings about her brother which range from embarrassment to anger to love. When she meets Jason, a quadriplegic boy her own age, a friendship begins as she starts illustrating pictures for his communication book, but she is equally unsure on how to tread in this new type of friendship especially when he asks her to a community dance.

This realist fictional novel discusses so many of the feelings experienced by a twelve-year-old making new friends and growing up. Added to all of that emotion is her brother who has autism and a new friend (who is a boy) who can’t walk or talk. This novel would be a great starting place for discussion on differences and to exploring other people’s point of view. Written in Catherine’s voice, it is a very touching and emotional story. An inspiring read for students fourth grade and older.

2007 Newberry Honor Book

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: Morrow.

Leigh Botts who writes a series of letters to his favorite author Mr. Henshaw starting in second grade and finishing in sixth grade. Over time the letters go from being generic letters to Leigh sharing his feelings and concerns about his parent’s divorce. Mr. Henshaw also encourages Leigh to write, so Leigh starts to write in a diary addressed to “Pretend Mr. Henshaw”. He discusses his concerns over his father and the thief who takes treats out of his lunch. With Mr. Henshaw's encouragement, Leigh writes a story that wins honorable mention in a competition and he gets to have lunch with a real author.

This fictional novel covers the heavy topic of divorce and how divorce changes Leigh’s life. Through the letters to Mr. Henshaw, the reader sees Leigh’s struggles at a new school, his mother working, not seeing his dad and not having his dog. The target audience would be older elementary age. Even though the novel was written over 30 years ago, it is a timeless classic that shares all the heartache of divorce.

 1984 Newberry Award Winner