Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. In an effort to keep life on an even keel, Catherine creates rules for him, for example it's okay to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store. Each chapter title is representative of a rule, and many more rules are interspersed throughout the book. When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is anxious about her reaction to David. Then Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic who uses a book of pictures to communicate, she begins to understand that normal is difficult, and perhaps unnecessary, to define. Rules of behavior are less important than acceptance of others. Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. 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. Ages 9 and up.
12岁的凯瑟琳担心患自闭症的8岁弟弟大卫会有出格的行为，于是细心地替大卫定下了许多规则，没想到自己在不知不觉中也被困到了规则里面．变得寸步难行……后来．反倒是在一个障碍男孩贾森的帮助下，凯瑟琳才学会了逐渐开阔自己的心胸，体会到应该怎样正确对待弟弟，并终于与一群正常孩子尽情欢舞起来……
By Cynthia Lord, Paperback, Simplified Chinese characters, 175-264 pages, 8.15"x5.75"
