Student Saturday: Rules - Cynthia Lord

Student Reviewer: Maddy S.

The main characters in this book are David, a boy that has autism and has a lot of trouble with understanding how life works, and the main rules you have to follow.  He always goes to O.T. (occupational Therapy) a couple times a week. Another main character is Catherine! She is David's sister. She is all about making sure David is following ALL the rules she gives him. She loves art, and loves to help a boy named Jason that is in a wheelchair. She makes flashcards for him with pictures on it and helps him learn words. (She is very generous and tends to get very embarrassed in front of her brother David). Then the mom and the dad are just calm, cool, and collected. They always trust on Catherine to make sure David is doing what he is told, and following the rules.

I think that this book is a lot like this other book I read called "Eight Keys". I can connect to these two books because they both have the same aged characters, whose personalities are kind of alike. The character in the book "Eight Keys" always thinks she's good enough to complete her homework, or never can make a friend, or never gets to be the person who never gets forgotten best friend. She realizes that if she truly believes in herself all her doubts turn into accomplishments. So, I think that David is going to realize that even though he has autism he can still accomplish the same things somebody else can accomplish.

I really like this book because I can really put my feet into these character's shoes because they are the same age as me.  I also have the same amount of family members in my family. I like to really be able to understand the book well. I also have been really liking this book because it's cool to see the perspective of a boy with autism around my same age. He is different from me because I have a different personality from him.  But, it is still cool because you get to put yourself in another perspective!

The setting in my book is mainly a neighborhood and an O.T. office. A lot of the time in the book David has been going to O.T.  Then the other times the story takes place at their house, and Catherine's new neighbor Lindsey. I think whoever likes realistic fiction, different perspectives would really enjoy reading this book. It also has a great lesson in it.

Eyrie by Emma Michaels

Pages: 129

Source: Review copy from author

Genre:  Young Adult, Fantasy

From Goodreads:

The truth is being unveiled and Iris’ past is unlike anything she ever could have guessed. For Stryx, finding your missing half doesn’t always mean finding your mate. Iris has been missing a part of herself for so long that no one is sure she will be able to put the pieces back together and her ever reliable dreams may be forcing her astray. Coping with the death of someone she loved, she is forced to face the truth and break free from the lies that have caged her.

My Thoughts:

Let me start off by saying, if you have not read the first book in this series, Owlet, then put this book down and go read it first.  You really need to read the first book so that the second book makes sense.  In the second book we pick up with Iris trying to figure out everything from the lies she had been told.  She has to figure out how to right some wrongs.  Those who are helping and guiding her on this journey are also a little wary because she has the power to make decisions for good or evil.  I love the small romance that is carried through this book.  It is simple, innocent and pure.  This is one thing that will most definitely bring the teen in to read this book.  I have enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment.

Second Impact by David Klass and Perri Klass

Pages: 304

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Source: Received a copy for review

From Amazon:

Kendall is football town, and Jerry Downing is the high school's star quarterback, working to redeem himself after he nearly killed a girl in a drunk driving accident last year. Carla Jenson, lead reporter for the school newspaper's sports section, has recruited Jerry to co-author a blog chronicling the season from each of their perspectives. When Jerry's best friend on the team takes a hit too hard and gets hurt, Carla wonders publicly if injury in the game comes at too high a cost in a player's life—but not everyone in Kendall wants to hear it...

David Klass and Perri Klass's  Second Impact is an action-packed story will resonate with readers who have been following recent news stories are football injuries.

My Thoughts:

This is a unique book.  It is told through blog posts.  I kind of reminded me of Patrick Carmen’s Skeleton Creek series where you have one point of view told through video and one point of view told through emails.  In this book we meet Jerry who was the captain and quarterback of his high school football team.  A year before we are introduced to him we are told about a drunk driving accident he was involved in that cost him dearly.  Not only did he lose his captain position and get suspended, but he almost killed his car’s occupants.  The judge gave his a second chance.  That is a theme within this book.

The other point of view is from Carla, a former soccer player and now a journalist on her schools blog. She had been injured while playing soccer.  This made her realize that sometimes injuries are more serious than a coach wants to believe.  Jerry’s best friend sustains a concussion during a game.  This is enough to send Carla off looking for answers.  She is looked down on and listed a trouble maker because her thoughts are uncomfortable and something coaches and principals of winning teams don’t want to look at.

This book came at a very appropriate time, as one of my sixth grade students sustained a severe concussion while playing football, and it affected him in multiple ways.  At the same time we have two other students who had sustained concussions playing sports.  It has affected their ability to learn.  This book is a wake-up call to parents and coaches everywhere.  When given a second chance in life take it.  Don’t look at life and decide, oh well that’s just a part of the risk.  You have to ask yourself if the risk is too high. In Jerry’s case he is forced to look at a situation and make a decision.  Did he make the right one?  Read the book.  This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and it was snatched up before it ever hit my school shelves.