Rules by Cynthia Lord is a thoughtful, relatable novel that invites readers to consider what fairness, acceptance, and understanding really look like. Through Catherine’s experiences with her brother David and her growing friendship with Jason, the story explores the complicated mix of love, frustration, and empathy that comes with wanting life to feel “normal.” The book opens the door to meaningful conversations about family, disability, and seeing others more clearly.
Reading Level
Lexile 670L
Interest Level
Grades 6-8
Length
241 pages
Award
Newbery Honor
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⭐ About the Book
Rules by Cynthia Lord is a heartfelt, thought‑provoking realistic fiction novel that explores friendship, family, and the challenge of wanting life to feel ‘normal.’ The story follows Catherine, a twelve‑year‑old girl who loves her younger brother David deeply but also struggles with the responsibilities and frustrations that come with his autism. Catherine creates rules to help David navigate everyday situations, but she soon discovers that rules don’t always solve everything.
During the first days of summer vacation, Catherine meets Jason, a nonverbal boy who uses a wheelchair and communicates through word cards. Their friendship pushes Catherine to rethink what fairness, acceptance, and kindness truly mean. As Catherine learns to see others more clearly, she also begins to understand herself in new ways.
This Newbery Honor novel is perfect for upper elementary and middle‑grade readers. Its relatable characters and sensitive themes make it ideal for teaching empathy, character development, point of view, and social‑emotional learning.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | 2006 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 670L • Guided Reading Level R |
| Interest Level | Grades 6–8 |
| Awards | 2007 Newbery Honor |
| Length | 241 pages (approx. 34,945 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 2 hours and 19 minutes |
| Audiobook Length | 4 hours and 1 minute |
| Genre | Realistic Fiction |
| Setting | Present day; Catherine’s home near the East Coast, her neighborhood, and the occupational therapy clinic |
| Themes | Treating people equally, autism, emotional needs, friendship, the value of rules |
| Point of View | First-person (Catherine’s perspective) |
| Memorable Quote | “Some people think they know who you are, when really they don’t.” |
| First Line | “Come on, David.” |
Rules by Cynthia Lord Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains…
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-2
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question – Character Traits – Catherine
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Using a Communication Board
I created this communication board to use with the novel Out of My Mind; however, it is a great activity to use with the book Rules as well. Jason uses an album of cards to communicate. In the story, Catherine is frustrated by this limited means of communication, so she makes Jason additional words.
Activity:
- One student will randomly draw a request slip from the stack.
- The student will read the strip without showing his/her partner
- The student will then try to make the request using only the “Communication Board” with no verbal instructions.
Discussion:
- Which questions were the most difficult?
- How did you feel when you couldn’t make your partner understand your request?
- What words do you think should be added?
- How would you draw words like gross, beautiful, or frustrated?
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Autism
Rules is a great book for introducing students to autism and the challenges that individuals with autism face. Students can research autism, create presentations, and discuss how the novel portrays autism.
This is a Google Slide activity. Save the file to your Google Drive to make it editable.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Compare and Contrast
Here are some ideas for Venn diagrams that compare and contrast characters, settings, and themes in Rules by Cynthia Lord:
- Catherine and Jason
- Summer and Winter
- Friendship and Acceptance
- Rules and Flexibility
- David and Jason
- Small-Town and Big-City Life
- Empathy and Understanding
Get the activities needed to complete this activity. You will find the list with instructions as well as a printable Venn diagram. Sample answers are also included.
This is a Google Slide activity. Save the file to your Google Drive to make it editable.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Children’s Books with Characters who have Special Needs
In this printable, students compare two or more characters that have special needs. This list offers suggestions; however, several of the printables are open-ended. Simply add characters from stories your students have read.
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
- Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
- Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Chodenko
- The Cay by Theodore Taylor
- Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
- Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
- El Deafo by Cece Bell
- Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
- Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Audiobook
See the product that inspired this post.
Rules Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
