Cynthia, a 12 year old girl has a brother with autism. She is constantly thinking about how she wishes her little brother was “normal” and then she wouldn’t have to create rules for him and they could enjoy playing together. However, because of his autism, he goes to occupational therapy and it’s there that she meets a boy who ends up becoming a “real” friend even though he is different due to his handicap.

This book is a great read to teach and show children that we all have quirks and differences, but that no matter how different we all are, we still must be kind and accept others as they are. I like that this book talked about autism and other differences in terms that children can understand and identify with.

Click on the image to visit the author’s Amazon page to find more books written by Lord.

Lord, Cynthia (2008). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic.