Rules by Cynthia Lord

Rules by Cynthia Lord is about Catherine, the older sister of David who has been diagnosed with autism. Catherine has set up a set of rules for David to teach him how to behave. His rules consist of things like, "Say 'thank you' when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it)" and "You can yell at a playground, but not at dinner" and "Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." When a new girl moves in next door, just Catherine's age, she is thrilled to have a new friend, even though Kristi has begun hanging out with Ryan, a boy who has always terrorized David. Catherine also makes a new friend while going to David's doctor appointments. Jason is in a wheelchair and can't talk. Catherine notices that he uses a notebook filled with single words to communicate. Because of her artistic abilities, Catherine begins making new words for Jason's notebook - things that teenagers say like, "Whatever" and "Stinks a big one" and "Why not?" As Catherine gets to know Jason, the cards begin to reflect what's going on in Catherine's life, including her feelings toward Kristi, Ryan, and her family life with David. In the end Catherine learns some big lessons about life and how to treat other people.

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down! I really felt a connection with Catherine. She was such a nice girl, trying to do the right things. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.