I think its commendable that she expressed such candid emotion in catherines character instead of sugarcoating the situation to make it more acceptable to a society that is so easily offended. Discussion of themes and motifs in cynthia lord s rules. Nov, 2008 in a library display of this book, the librarian could write down on poster board the rules set forth in the book and ask students to suggest additional rules to add to the list. Catherine is a hero because she literally gives a voice to a voiceless minority, those not as enabled as the rest, either through mental or physical handicaps.
Following rules and finding our place in the world is central to cynthia lords rules, a powerful young adult novel about a fifth grade girl, catherine, and her autistic brother, david. The rules community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by. Activities to use with the book rules by cynthia lord book. One of the major themes of the book rules by cynthia lord is. She made her picture book debut with hot rod hamster. Isbn 0439443822 plot summary catherine is twelve and a new girl has just moved in next door. A goldfish and a rubberduck cover each chapter of the book begins with what. What is the overall tone in the novel, rules, by cynthia lord. The appealing, credible narrator at the heart of lord s debut novel will draw in readers, as she struggles to find order and balance in her life.
In this lesson about the book rules by cynthia lord, you will learn. Shes spent years trying to teach david the rules from a peach is not a funnylooking apple to. These are items that any teenager would struggle with if they were in catherines shoes. The protagonist in most novels features the main character or good guy. Oct 07, 2015 my students need 30 copies of the book rules to improve literacy. People have good intentions to live by the rules they are given, but no matter how dedicated they are, some rules might be broken for reasons good or bad. Rules, by author cynthia lord, is a touching look at the life of a young girl, catherine, whos coping with the conflicting emotions of living with her autistic brother, david.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. This portion of text was written by cynthia lord and was taken from in 2000, i decided to write a middlegrade novel, and i followed the advice of write what you know. Themesideas friendship, disabilities, acceptance, family love. Catherine is also uncomfortable about her growing friendship with 14yearold jason, a paraplegic. Parents need to know that rules is the story of a girl named catherine who feels like her family life revolves around her brother, david, who has autism, and his needs she loves david and does what she can to help him, but she also wants to be noticed and strives to make friendships outside the ho. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Tell students that the book they will be reading is titled rules. I dont believe theres some badtempered wishfairy with a clipboard, checking off whether or not youve told. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She made her picture book debut with hot rod hamster, which won several awards, including the parents choice award, and is the author of the shelter pet squad chapter book series. How does this information help you understand something about the book, rules. Additional information about rules and cynthia lord can be found at the authors website. Her family spends a lot of time caring for david and his disability. Materials and discussion guides are provided here for free.
Tone is how an author chooses words to create emotion in. Rules by cynthia lord dtdl battle of the books 2010 who wrote rules. Catherine shares the same desires as most typical twelve year old girls to have friends and do normal activities with them and to be liked by the cool kids at school. Rules by cynthia lord battle 2010 explore your world. This 2007 newbery honor book is a humorous and heartwarming debut about feeling different and finding acceptance. The most significant kind of prejudice in cynthia lords book, rules, is that directed toward the physically or mentally impaired.
Lord does a fantastic job with introducing the reader into the mind of two boys with disabilities, but also, the perspectives of family members and friends who are very relevant in these kids lives. Apr 17, 2015 cynthia lord has penned a deep, rich cast of characters who reveal their emotions through their thoughts and their dialogue with one another. Cynthia lord frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelveyearold catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and i applaud cynthia lord for tackling what can be such a touchy subject. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous treating people equally is. Cynthia lord, rules i try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler free way. It is a sunshine state young readers book for 20082009 and won a 2007 schneider family book award. Catherine hopes her autistic brother does not keep her from making friends.
She hopes this new girl will be friends with her and spend the summer hanging out, but she is worried the actions of her younger brother who is autistic. Filled with humor and warmth, cynthia lords debut novel takes a candid and sensitive look at feeling different and finding acceptancebeyond the rules. Materials for teachers and librarians cynthia lord. Sadako and the thousand paper cranes by eleanor coerr. Events the dance, walking at the beach, drawing, swimming in the pond. What is the theme for the book rules by cynthia lord answers. Read rules by cynthia lord available from rakuten kobo. Rules discussion guide click to download rules reproducible worksheets click to download writing rules. One of the major themes of the book rules by cynthia lord is accepting people with disabilities. Children who have read the book could discuss what words they would want in a communication book, if they could only speak with such a device.
Aug 22, 2007 cynthia lord crafts a magnificent story of a young girl longing for acceptance in a world that we can all use some understanding of the differences around us. These notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. At the end of the book catherine says, i wish everyone had the same chances, i say. As a family, read another story that talks about similar themes. Rules by cynthia lord my students need 30 copies of the book rules to improve literacy. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 208 pages and is available in hardcover format. Activities to use with the book rules by cynthia lord. Think back on some of your favorite characters from past novels you. She made her picture book debut with hot rod hamster, which won several awards, including the parents choice award, and is the author of the shelter pet squad chapter book. Cynthia lord grew up as a shy, daydreaming child in rural new hampshire. May 08, 2017 in the book rules by cynthia lord, twelveyearold catherine must spend the summer without her best friend who goes to california for the summer.
My students need 30 copies of the book rules to improve literacy. She doesnt like it when others laugh at david or ignore him. Many other authors have written stories about these challenges. The fact that it is done with a sense of humor and that uniqueness can be laughed at and accepted makes this book far more than a didactic text on acceptance. Rules let us agree on a common way of acting, of certain expectations being met, and of certain boundaries not being crossed. And i was coping with the conflicting emotions of annoyance and boredom of reading this book. Cynthia lord crafts a magnificent story of a young girl longing for acceptance in a world that we can all use some understanding of the differences around us. Rules themes cynthia lord this study guide consists of approximately 27 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of rules. Rules was cynthia lords first novel, and has won two awards. Pdf rules book by cynthia lord free download 208 pages.
Rules ebook by cynthia lord 9780545666206 rakuten kobo. Navigating friendships can be really challenging in the 5th grade. But its a long shot ill get my wish, so even if there is a fairy in charge of telling, it wont matter. She yearns for time with her parents and tries to figure out where she. Discuss prejudice in the story, rules, by cynthia lord. Most people say if you tell a wish it wont come true. Parents need to know that rules is the story of a girl named catherine who feels like her family life revolves around her brother, david, who has autism, and his needs. She finds the most meaning when she prizes those people instead of being shy about them. In the book rules, by cynthia lord the problem is that catherines brother david does not know rules like other kids do. Cynthia lord is the awardwinning author of rules, a newbery honor book among its many distinctions, as well as the critically acclaimed touch blue, released august, 2010. It sounds like you are writing a paper on the book rules by cynthia lord. Maybe theres some truth in that, but its unsatisfying, bittertasting truth.
Written by kanittha jiwachotkamjon and other people who wish to remain anonymous rules starts off with catherine, a 12yearold girl, trying to drag her brother, david, to the car. In this lesson, youll learn about the characters in the book rules by cynthia lord. This is a book about a girl named catherine, whos brother is autistic. Imagine having to constantly teach another person the rules of life. David has autism, and he has to go to occupational therapy, or ot.
Nov 11, 2007 the fact that it is done with a sense of humor and that uniqueness can be laughed at and accepted makes this book far more than a didactic text on acceptance. I think it might be dont give up, because catharine doesnt give up when her brother has autism she keeps teaching him rules and make new. To view the pdf files you will need adobe reader free from adobe systems. Discussion of themes and motifs in cynthia lords rules. The appealing, credible narrator at the heart of lords debut novel will draw in readers, as she struggles to find order and balance in her life.
A discussion of important themes running throughout rules. Cynthia lords awardwinning book is an introspective story that appeals to some students more than others. Cynthia lord is the awardwinning author of rules, a newbery honor book and a schneider family book award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed half a chance and a handful of stars. Apr 01, 2006 she doesnt like it when others laugh at david or ignore him. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of rules by cynthia lord. Rules by cynthia lord chapters 12 follow the rules dont run down the clinic hallway before you read the chapter. Rules would be a great book for a school book club or an english class. She loves david and does what she can to help him, but she also wants to be noticed and strives to make friendships outside the home.
Jason uses a book of word cards to communicate, and catherine enjoys making him new cards with more expressive words. Rules by cynthia lord is a childrens novel about friendship, the importance and. Her parents place 12yearold catherine in charge of h. The main characters of this realistic fiction, young adult story are. We all try to do the best we can to fit in, but things dont always end up the way we intend. She made her picture book debut with hot rod hamster, which won several awards, including the parents choice award, and is the author of the shelter pet.
One of the major themes of the book rules by cynthia lord. I created this communication board to use with the novel out of my mind. Apr 12, 2015 i enjoyed this book thoroughly, and i applaud cynthia lord for tackling what can be such a touchy subject. Childrens books with characters who have special needs. This study guide consists of approximately 27 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of rules. In this lesson about the book rules by cynthia lord, you will learn about the setting and summary of the book, as well as. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. Cynthia lord what two animals are on the cover of rules.
There are flaws in all of us not just those with special needs. But its a long shot ill get my wish, so even if there. The main character of rules is twelveyearold catherine who is about to embark on a summer she will never forget. Robinson reads chapter one of 20182019 one book, one school. What is the theme of the book rules by cynthia lord. Plot summary catherine is a twelveyearold girl who has a brother with autism named david. Youll meet the main character, catherine, and other important characters in the book, including david. Just because other people think something, that doesnt make it true. In the book rules by cynthia lord, twelveyearold catherine must spend the summer without her best friend who goes to california for the summer. Since a lot of people have questions about this book, im going to try to help readers understand some of the different issues.