Rules by Cynthia Lord

We all live with rules and 8 year old David is no exception. David's older sister, 12 year old Catherine, writes down rules for David so he will remember them, some of David's rules are:

If the bathroom door is closed, knock! (especially if Catherine has a friend over).

Say thank you when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it).

Don't stand in front of the TV when other people are watching it.

Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't.

No toys in the fishtank!!

David is autistic and has to be reminded of the rules often. Catherine loves her little brother, but is sometimes embarassed by him. Besides writing rules for David, Catherine also loves to draw anything that she sees. Catherine's best friend spends the entire summer in California, so Catherine is used to spending the summer by herself. However, this summer will be different! Catherine is excited because her new next door neighbors are moving in soon, and they have a daughter who is Catherine's age. Catherine hopes that they will become friends quickly and have a summer full of memories. Then Catherine meets 14 year old, Jason. Jason is one of the patients at the Occupational Therapy office where David goes every Tuesday and Thursday. Catherine soon finds herself helping Jason who can only communicate through a communications book full of word/picture cards. What interesting word/picture cards will Catherine create for Jason? Read this touching story about how Catherine's friendship with her new neighbor Kristi, her new friend Jason and her little brother, David, develop throughout the summer.

This is Cynthia Lord's first novel and it won her a Newbery Honor Medal AND the Schneider Family Book Award