Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Book Review: RULES

1. Bibliography
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. RULES. New York. Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822

2. Plot Summary
In Cynthia Lord's book, RULES, Catherine is a girl growing up with a younger autistic brother named David. She works hard to teach her brother basic everyday rules in order for him to live a better life while she is trying to cope with the fact that her life will always be different because of her brother. That summer while her best friend is away, a new girl moves to the neighborhood that she hopes will be her friend but worries it will not work out because of her brother. She begins going with David to his therapy sessions and in the waiting room meets another boy who is handicapped and speech impaired. The two become friends and as she teaches him new words in order to communicate, he teaches her that some of her rules are meant to be broken. Thanks to him, she learns to not be ashamed or embarrassed of the life she lives or the fact that she is a sister and friend to someone who is impaired.


3. Critical Analysis
Catherine, the main character and protagonist, struggles with the fact that her brother has always been autistic and never like a "regular" brother as she describes. Set in present day Maine during the summertime, as her best friend goes away for the summer, Catherine helps readers understand what her life is like as she continues to cope with the fact that her life is different because of her brother. While dealing with this, she meets two new friends, a boy that is physically impaired and a new neighbor who is a girl, that she hopes will be her friend despite her brother and her new handicapped friend. Spoken just like a girl growing up in adolescence, readers experience what she is thinking out loud and internally. She comes across as a very caring and patient person as she teaches her brother everyday rules to help him cope with his disability,and as she helps her new friend learn new words to communicate. Some readers may not be able to relate to her situation but they most likely will understand the reoccurring theme of her worries of being accepted by her new girlfriend, and the fact that she feels that her family is the only family that is not normal. In the end, she learns that all families have tough issues that they must deal with and she accepts that dealing with her brother's disability is hers. She also realizes that anyone who can't accept her brother or her disabled friend really isn't a true friend. Throughout the book each chapter is titled and based off of one of Catherine's rules for her brother. Cynthia Lord's style is easily recognized and even more understandable after reading the brief biography about the author and learning that this book was based on her own life and the fact that she has a son who is dealing with autism.


4. Awards won:
Newbery Honor Medal
Schneider Family Book Award
Mitten Award (Michigan Library Association)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan)
Maine Student Book Award
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (Vermont)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Great Stone Face Award (New Hampshire)
Buckeye Children's Book Award (Ohio)

Review Excerpt(s)

Publishers Weekly Review-In the able hands of the author, mother of an autistic child, Catherine's emotions come across as entirely convincing, especially her alternating devotion to and resentment of David, and her guilt at her impatience with him. Through her artwork, the heroine gradually opens up to Jason, a wheelchair-bound peer who can communicate only by pointing to words on cards. As she creates new cards that expand Jason's ability to express his feelings, their growing friendship enables Catherine to do the same. A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view. Ages 9-12. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Review-Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.-Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

5. Connections:
After reading this story children will most likely want to learn more about children growing up with autism, or a disability like a learning disability. Some books to suggest or read together could be:
Roby, Cynthia. WHEN LEARNING IS TOUGH: KIDS TALK ABOUT THEIR LEARNING DISABILITIES. ISBN 080758892X

Lewis, Beverly. IN JESSE'S SHOES: APPRECIATING KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. ISBN 9780764203138

Norton, W.W. KIDS EXPLORE THE GIFTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. ISBN 1562611569

Citations for Reviews:

Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 30, 2010


Book Review: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

1. Bibliography
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York. Amulet Books. ISBN 9780810993136

2. Plot Summary
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID is a comedic graphic novel about a boy named Greg and his experiences during his first year of middle school. Written like a diary from the beginning to the end of the school year Greg talks about every aspect of what it is like to be a teenager.

3. Critical Analysis
In Jeff Kinney's DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Jeff uses his male protagonist Greg to talk about what is really important to a kid, especially a boy, his first year of middle school. Written like a diary or a journal, as Greg would like it to be called, he jokes about real life issues he has to face now that he is not in elementary school anymore. Children his age will be able to relate to some of his problems ranging from making and keeping friendships, being accepted by others, dealing with parents who don't seem to understand, and the overall awkwardness of growing up. Because it is written like a diary, Greg's personality can easily be recognized, and children his age will understand where he is coming from, but boys will most likely be the ones who get hooked. We later learn that Jeff Kinney chooses to write from a boys perspective because he has two sons in his real life. Overall this book is a quick and easy read that is meant for children age 13-15. The high-interest material helps children read the first one and most likely want to read more.

4. Awards won:
#1 New York Times Bestseller
2008 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards: Favorite Book
2009 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards: Favorite Book
ALA Notable Book
2010 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards: Favorite Book Series (winner)

Review Excerpt(s)

Publishers Weekly Review- Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life, from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the trauma of a "wrestling unit" in gym class. His print debut should keep readers in stitches, eagerly anticipating Greg's further adventures. Ages 8-13. (Apr.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Review-The first of three installments, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers, but more experienced readers will also find much to enjoy and relate to in one seventh grader's view of the everyday trials and tribulations of middle school.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

5. Connections: There are many more books in the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series that kids can read. Some are:

Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES. ISBN 9780810994737

Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW. ISBN 9780810970687

Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS. ISBN 9780810983915

Citations for Reviews:

Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 30, 2010


Book Review: THE FIRST PART LAST

1. Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689849222

2. Plot Summary
THE FIRST PART LAST is about a boy named Bobby that tells about his life in the past and the present. His girlfriend Nia tells him on his 16th birthday that she is pregnant. Together they deal with their choices and the decisions that need to be made, but suddenly and tragically Nia dies and he is left to be a single teenage father to his new born baby.

3. Critical Analysis
THE FIRST PART LAST is a realistic fiction story that is written from the main character Bobby's point of view. Readers slowly realize that the story takes place somewhere in New York as several landmarks are mentioned and eventually the city of Brooklyn is revealed. Throughout the story Bobby discusses his internal journey of what it was like learning that his girlfriend Nia was pregnant, deciding if they should keep the baby, and later having to accept the fact that his girlfriend dies unexpectedly while giving birth. Instead of choosing adoption like they had agreed, he chooses to become a single teenage dad. Not all readers will be able to relate to his experiences but they will empathize with his tough situation that is even harder now because he is on his own. Angela Johnson writes the story titling every other chapter as Then or Now, and goes back and forth from the present time to the past. In the present Bobby is discussing what it is like to be a new teenage dad, and when he reminisces about the past he remembers the good times of being a teenager and when his girlfriend was alive. There is a lot of foreshadowing throughout and it isn't until the book is almost over that we are told what actually happened to his girlfriend and why she is not around for the majority of the story. However, most readers will most likely start to figure it out beforehand. Bobby is the main male protagonist, but there is one chapter written in all italics that is from Nia's point of view supposedly after she dies. This gives an interesting twist to the story. Readers are also left not ever really knowing Bobby and Nia's ethnicity, but they might assume Bobby's based on the cover of the book, and by some of the language used. In the end, most readers are left feeling hopeful that Bobby and his new baby will be alright as they move to a quiet town in Utah called Heaven to be closer to his brother's family. This book would be appropriate for teenagers but they need to be aware of the mature themes and language throughout.


4. Awards won:
2004 SRT Coretta Scott King Author Award
2004 YALSA Michael L. Printz Award

Review Excerpt(s)

Publishers Weekly Review- The way he describes Nia and stands by her throughout the pregnancy conveys to readers what a loving and trustworthy father he promises to be. The only misstep is a chapter from Nia's point of view, which takes readers out of Bobby's capable hands. But as the past and present threads join in the final chapter, readers will only clamor for more about this memorable father-daughter duo-and an author who so skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain. Ages 12-up. (June) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Review-Gr 8 Up-In this lyrical novel, 16-year-old Bobby narrates his journey into teenage fatherhood, struggling to balance school, parenting, and friends who simply do not comprehend his new role and his breathtaking love for his daughter. Winner of the 2004 SRT Coretta Scott King Author Award and the 2004 YALSA Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

5. Connections:
If teens are wanting to continue reading about the topic of teenage pregnancy using a realistic fiction novel, a book that could be suggested that is written from a girl's point of view would be:
Adams, Lenora. BABY GIRL. ISBN 9781416925125

These would also be good books to suggest for teens taking a health class or learning about sex education.

Citations for Reviews:

Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 30, 2010