I am processing tons of books for the BTS Library this week! It’s supposed to be a “break” (Spring break) but for me it’s an opportunity to work more hours from home. Anyway, here I am, surrounded by piles of books, labels, book tape, and other librarian’s tools, when the book Rules, by Cynthia Lord, comes to my hands.
This is the BTS Library copy of the book
I had read this book before, but since I am now working for BTS, I decided to re-read it (by the way, do you find yourself re-reading books often? I do!) I think it’s a great book, and it seems I am not the only one who thinks that way. The book got a Newbery Honor Medal and also a Schneider Family Award (which you already know because you read my post on this Award.) I am not, however, an expert on the topic of siblings of children on the autism spectrum. Therefore, I would like to ask you, BTS parents, your opinion of the book from a “reality check” point of view.
If you have at least one kid with autism and one more kid not on the spectrum, would you tell me…
– Have you read Rules, by Cynthia Lord?
– If the answer is yes, do you think it is an accurate reflection of the experience of siblings? Why?
– If not, why?
I would really appreciate your input on this. Feel free to comment here, or send me an e-mail to akl.librarian AT gmail.com. Also, if you want to read the book, it will be on the BTS Library next week. We didn’t start the check-out system yet, but feel free to sign a slip of paper with your name and give it to Donna or one of the teachers and take the book home. Just make sure to return it as soon as you are done so others can read it.
I leave you with a quote from the book:
At a friend’s house, everything is uncomplicated. No one drops toys in the fish tank, no one cares if the cellar door is open or closed, and no one shrieks unless there’s a huge, hairy spider crawling up her arm (…) But the best part of being at a friend’s house is I can be just me and put the sister part of me down.”
I look forward to your comments!
Your BTS Librarian
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a national concern that American children were not learning to read. It was an immediate success. Since the Cat first appeared in 1957, he has made learning to read fun for generations of children around the world! (Information retrieved from http://www.Seussville.com)
The Cat in the Hat was the first Dr. Seuss book I read, and… get ready for this: I was 28 years-old! Soon after moving to the United States from my country of origin, when I was pregnant with my first child, a dear friend gave this book to me (in English and Spanish!) I had never heard of Dr. Seuss in my former country, and while I grew up with many other wonderful stories, his were not part of my childhood.
My first Cat in the Hat bilingual book. (Photo ©2013 by AKL)
So, tell me: Do you like Dr. Seuss’ books? Which one is your favorite? Do your kids like them?
As an adult, I love all of them, but Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and The Lorax are two of my favorites. I would like to invite you to explore this amazing website created by Random House, the publishers of Dr. Seuss’ books.
If you are a BTS parent, teacher, or student please leave me a message and tell me your favorite Dr. Seuss book. I will make sure that the BTS Library has a copy!
I leave you with my favorite quote:
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Go places! Read!
Your BTS Librarian
Books & Beyond 