Lord, C. (2017). Crown: Ode to a Fresh Cut. Agate Bolden.
Summary
The world is governed by rules, but what is normal for one person, isn't necessarily normal for all. In Rules by Cynthia Lord, there comes a point where 12 year old Catherine has to ask herself, what is normal? After all, that's all she's ever wanted. Her rules revolve around her autistic brother and the need to feel like she belongs. When she meets two new friends over summer break, it's her own actions that make her question what normal would even look like. In this wonderful novel of acceptance and understanding, Lord shows readers that normal isn't always what it's made out to be.
A Teacher's Perspective
It's rare to find chapter titles these days, other than if a book is letting you know whose perspective the story is being told by--but Rules' chapter titles were wonderfully placed. While Catherine is dealing with her brother and the rules she creates for him, readers get to grown and journey with her as she comes to accept her normal.
I highly recommend this novel for any age, as it has wonderful lessons that many students would benefit from. The design of the short chapters create multiple instances where teachers can stop and discuss before moving on, or stop and create an activity to go with the novel.
Want to know more?
To purchase your own copy of Rules: Click here!
Scholastic has a teaching guide for grades 3-5 and 6-8: Click Here!
Here is a lovely reader-created book trailer found on youtube:
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