Author/Illustrator: Cynthia Lord
Plot Summary: Catherine is a 12 year old girl who just wants a "normal" life. However, her life is anything but "normal." She has a younger brother with autism which complicates her life in many different ways. He demands much of their parents time and attention and his behavior has necessitated her making lots of rules for him such as "keep your pants on in public." When new neighbors move in next door, Catherine thinks she has found in Kristi, the friend she has always wanted. However, who she chooses to befriend is not Kristi but someone very different.
Comments: This would make a good read aloud for fourth or fifth graders and possibly for third grade. It not only teaches children about some of the common characteristics of autism but also provides opportunities for growth and exploration about choices in life, gratitude, and what is truly important.
Extensions:
1. As a read aloud for fourth, fifth, sixth or possibly third grade, this book would a good springboard for a discussion about disabilities, friendship, priorities, gratitude, and making hard choices in life.
2. Following a read aloud, students could write compositions on a variety of topics including a hard choice they had to make, a situation where they discovered something about someone that was either better or worse than they thought, something they were grateful for, or what they would have done if placed in given situations described in the book.
3.
Themes/keywords: autism, brothers and sisters, people with disabilities
Age/Reading Level: Interest level - 3 - 6 grade; ATOS 3.9; Lexile 780
Standards:
ELA4R1/ELA5R1/ELA6R1- The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
ELA4W1/ELA5W1/ELA6W1- The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals a satisfying closure.
ELA4W2/ELA5W2/ELA6W2- The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
Publisher's Info: Scholastic Press, New York. 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-439-44383-8
ISBN-10: 0-439-44383-0
Awards/Review Sources:
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)
Wilson's Children 10/01/07 | Wilson's Junior High School 08/01/07 |
| Newbery Medal/Honor 01/22/07 | Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/07 |
| School Library Journal 04/01/06 | Publishers Weekly 04/17/06 |
| Booklist 02/15/06 | Horn Book 10/01/06 |
Genre/Dewey: Fiction
Websites:
Author's website: http://www.cynthialord.com/rules.htm
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: autism, grimace
Comments