Rules Cynthia Lord

Catherine has an autistic brother. Her love for her brother and her frustrations with him are always in conflict with each other. She has created sets of rules for him (eg. Take your shoes off at the doctor but at the dentist leave them on) to help him get through everyday normal life. A new neighbor arrives that Catherine desperately wants to be her friend, but she worries about the reaction that the new neighbor might have to her brother. Along the way she also befriends a non-verbal paraplegic who uses word cards to communicate. The story is told with wit and humor and heartbreak from the viewpoint of 12 year old Catherine. This book makes you think what normal really means. This book is not written from a Christian viewpoint but it would make a great discussion starter of how God makes all of us different and how we are to love one another.