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TL;DR: Twelve-year-old Catherine wants a normal life, but her younger brother David has autism. To help him, she writes rules like “Chew with your mouth closed” and “No toys in the fish tank.” When she meets Jason, a boy who uses a wheelchair and cannot speak, at David's therapy clinic, Catherine begins to rethink what “normal” means.
Table of Contents
Rules at a Glance
| Author | Cynthia Lord |
| First published | 2006 |
| Type | Children's novel |
| Best for | young readers who want a warm, honest story about family, disability and friendship |
Rules is a children's novel by Cynthia Lord, published in 2006. It won a Newbery Honor in 2007. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes mild bullying and embarrassment.
Main Characters
- Catherine: A twelve-year-old girl who loves to draw.
- David: Catherine's younger brother, who has autism.
- Jason: A boy who uses a wheelchair and communication cards.
- Kristi: Catherine's new neighbor.
- Mom and Dad: Catherine's busy parents.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Rules
Catherine loves David, but she gets frustrated and embarrassed when he behaves differently in public. She writes rules to help him understand the world, such as “Not everyone wants to see you take off your pants.” She hopes these rules will make him fit in. She is lonely over the summer.
The clinic
Catherine goes with David to his occupational therapy appointments. There she meets Jason, a boy who uses a wheelchair and cannot speak. He communicates using a book of word cards. Catherine starts drawing new cards for him with words he wants, like “awesome” and “rude.”
Kristi
A girl named Kristi moves in next door. Catherine wants to be friends, but she is embarrassed about David and about Jason. She hides parts of her life from Kristi. She feels torn between wanting to fit in and wanting to be true to her friends and family.
The dance
Jason invites Catherine to a dance at the clinic. Catherine is nervous about what others might think, especially Kristi. She learns that Jason also feels hurt when people treat him differently. Their friendship grows stronger, and Catherine realizes she has been unfair to him.
New rules
Catherine goes to the dance and has a good time with Jason. She learns that the people she loves do not need to change to fit her ideas of normal. She writes new rules for herself, about accepting others and being honest. She realizes that “normal” is not as important as being kind.
5 Key Takeaways
- Every family is different.
- Embarrassment can hurt the people we love.
- Communication takes many forms.
- Friendship can grow in unexpected places.
- Acceptance is more important than fitting in.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Rules can help, but they cannot replace understanding.
- Kindness means seeing people as they are.
- Being honest about your feelings is brave.
Who Should Read Rules?
Read Rules if you are a young reader who enjoys realistic stories about family and friendship. It suits ages 8 to 12.
About Cynthia Lord
Cynthia Lord is an American children's author and former teacher. She wrote Rules partly from her own experience as the mother of a son with autism. Her other books include Touch Blue, Half a Chance, A Handful of Stars and the Shelter Pet Squad series. Rules won a Newbery Honor and the Schneider Family Book Award.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Rules:
- Why does Catherine write rules for David?
- How does Jason change Catherine's thinking?
- What does “normal” mean to Catherine at the end?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Rules is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Rules, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is gentle, honest and often funny.
Check price of Rules on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio: a boy with a facial difference starts school
- Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper: a girl with cerebral palsy finds her voice
- Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine: a girl with autism copes with grief
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rules about?
A girl with a brother who has autism learns about acceptance and friendship.
Who wrote it?
Cynthia Lord, in 2006.
Who is David?
Catherine's younger brother, who has autism.
Who is Jason?
A boy who uses a wheelchair and word cards.
Why does Catherine write rules?
To help David understand how to behave.
Did it win awards?
Yes, a Newbery Honor in 2007.
What age is it for?
About 8 to 12.
How long is it?
About 200 pages.
Is it based on real life?
Partly. The author's son has autism.
Is it funny?
Yes, it has humor as well as serious moments.
Is it good for classrooms?
Yes, it is widely used in schools.
What does Catherine learn?
That acceptance matters more than being “normal.”
Is Rules a good book for siblings of children with disabilities?
Yes. Many readers say Catherine's mix of love and frustration feels very true.
Is Rules worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who want a warm, honest story about family, disability and friendship. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.