Cody and the Rules of Life

by Tricia Springstubb, Eliza Wheeler (Illustrator)

Overview

Doing the right thing can be hard! When prized possessions start going missing, Cody gets a crash course in the most important rules of all — the rules of life.

In Cody’s life, many things are hard to predict. Like why her older brother, Wyatt, is obsessed with his new bicycle called the Cobra, or why her best friend Pearl suddenly wants to trade favorite toys. Pearl says she will trust Cody with Arctic Fox because Cody is a trusty person. But Cody doesn’t want to give up her beloved Gremlin, and she regrets it as soon as she hands him over. When the Cobra goes missing, Cody has to decide for herself who is trusty and who is not. If only she had Gremlin to talk to! Surely Pearl wouldn’t mind if she secretly traded back . . . it’s not stealing if it belonged to you in the first place, right?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763679200
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Series:	Cody
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	470L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Tricia Springstubb is the author of the novels What Happened on Fox Street and Mo Wren, Lost and Found, as well as the picture book Phoebe and Digger, illustrated by Jeff Newman, and the previous books in the Cody series. Tricia Springstubb lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Eliza Wheeler is the author-illustrator of Miss Maple’s Seeds and the illustrator of Doll Bones, a Newbery Honor Book, written by Holly Black, as well as the other books in the Cody series. Eliza Wheeler lives in Los Angeles, California.

Editorial Reviews

03/01/2017
Gr 1–3—The rules of life can be a bit confusing. Cody, the young and excitable protagonist, learns this lesson the hard way when she agrees to trade favorite stuffed animals with her best friend Pearl. When the toy goes missing, things get complicated and Cody is faced with a moral dilemma. Cody is a very approachable, well-meaning, and relatable character who has a passion for bugs. Cody's older brother also plays a key role in this story. He is often more excited about his bike than spending time with his little sister, which prompts Cody into actions she regrets. The story is a tad predictable and not particularly fresh in themes, but readers will still appreciate how Cody copes with family, friends, and the complications that life brings. VERDICT Recommended for chapter book collections, especially those lacking depictions of strong female protagonists.—Ashley Prior, Lincoln Public Library, RI

School Library Journal

2016-12-26
Big brother Wyatt pays more attention to his new bike than to Cody, who helped assemble it, but when it's stolen, her jealousy turns to empathy—she's just lost something precious herself.Excited about her first sleepover, at Pearl's, Cody—a little nervous—brings her beloved toy, Gremlin, for comfort. Smitten with Gremlin, Pearl elicits a trade, insisting Cody choose among Pearl's valuable collection of plush endangered animals. Cody accedes reluctantly. Her misery grows as her attempts to reverse the trade are rebuffed. Finally, she steals Gremlin back, angering Pearl when she finds out. The titular rules concern honesty and tact. When does borrowing become stealing? What constitutes permission? Here, theme and plot are at odds. Pearl, depicted as Asian in the lighthearted illustrations (Cody is white), is endowed with "model minority" attributes: good student, talented musician, origami whiz, pretty, well-liked. She follows rules. "If Pearl were an animal, she'd be a star puppy in obedience school," Cody reflects. Stereotyping aside, Pearl's manipulations, on her own turf and later, counter that portrait. Cody's held at fault for secretly stealing Gremlin back, Pearl merely for her indignant response, while her culpability in forcing the trade goes unmentioned. These rules come with a powerful subtext that seems to say that theft is wrong, but manipulation may be acceptable. (Fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews

Written with verve and style, this nicely illustrated chapter book delves into Cody’s emotions as she wrestles with her conscience, accuses a neighbor of stealing, and tries to make everything come out right. This chapter book from the Cody series handles a tough issue with sensitivity and balance.
—Booklist Online

The narrative is lively and humorous, with plenty of jokes at the expense of adults (Cody’s teacher thinks the stolen Cobra is a snake, not a bike)...Fans of the Cody series and newcomers alike will identify with Cody’s dilemma and look forward to exploring her world in other books.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Told in third-person limited narration, Cody’s story captures her personal struggles and her sensitive nature. Her confidence and self-awareness grow as Cody finds her way with her teacher, her peers, and her family in this gentle, funny, and moving chapter book.
—The Horn Book

Cody is a very approachable, well-meaning, and relatable character...readers will appreciate how Cody copes with family, friends, and the complications that life brings.
—School Library Journal

Springstubb creates a kind of magic in these books, with their gentle humor, realistic classroom settings, their generosity of spirit and real empathy for kids struggling to figure out how to do the right thing.
—Buffalo News

What I like most about Cody and the Rules of Life is that people actually speak to one another...Cody is a thoughtful, sensitive girl trying to cope with events and issues that come up in life including communicating to family, friends, and teachers.
—Story Monsters Ink

Short, easy-to-read sentences are full of quirks and personality in a story that will speak directly to the hearts of middle grade readers. Plentiful illustrations and a sprinkling of Spanish reflect the diverse cast of characters.
—School Library Connection

From the Publisher