The+Rules+of+Survival

many starred reviews: Bklst 7-10; Horn ; Krks YA; SLJ 9+; VOYA ; Recommended by Barrington Middle School
 * __[[image:rules of survival.jpg width="111" height="171" align="left"]]The Rules of Survival__, by Nancy Werlin** c2006; contemporary realistic fiction

//SLJ: "////Werlin tackles the topic of child abuse with grace and insight. Narrated by 17-year-old Matt as a letter to his youngest sister, Emmy, The Rules of Survival is his effort to come to terms with the vicious treatment he and his two sisters suffered at the hands of Nikki, their beautiful and unpredictable mother. " //

Student wrote: "I think it opens the eyes of the reader. Anyone can have problems at home. I really liked this book, and I want other kids to read it."

Comments:

I'm glad that this spoke to the student who recommended it and this is precisely why we should add it but I'll be honest - it broke my heart from the beginning and I couldn't finish it. I would lie awake at night with an aching heart. Mollie- Portsmouth

I liked this book quite a bit. The fact that it is written as a letter from the boy to his sister after the abuse is over keeps it from being too intense. We know the kids make it. It has a male narrator, so can appeal to boys or girls. I think it could be on the list, although it is a little old now. Chris- Hanover

Full disclosure: I grew up with a mother who acted out her violent temper in private and reading this brought many old fears to the surface; I didn't find it difficult to read as Mollie comments, but rather, a relief of proof that there were others that might have shared my experience and survived. I agree the letter format kept the tension wound yet bearable. I agree that it could be appealing to either boys or girls. Overall very nicely done. Yvette/Merrimack

I just read this yesterday, yes all of it. What a powerful book! The brother's letters to his little sister let you know right from the start that they are both going to be "okay". The mother, while more perpetually threatening and present, is really no worse than the one in "The War That Saved My Life" from this year's list (and the GSF list!). It's a very rough, heartbreaking story that takes place in our time and our world, and that concerns me a bit as we are essentially recommending this read to new 7th graders this summer, but I think it has a value, and is well written. Amy P / Barrington Middle School