The Rules of Survival

by Nancy Werlin Narrated by Daniel Passer

Overview

Dear Emmy,
I have decided to write it all down for you, even though I do have my doubts. I wonder if you really need to know exactly what happened to us-me, you, Callie-at the hands of our unpredictable, vicious mother. How we lived back then, when I was fifteen and you only seven, all of us full of fear. And then full of hope when we met Murdoch, the man who seemed to be showing us an easier future. What Murdoch did and what he couldn't do. What you and I did. Part of me hopes that you'll go along happily your whole life and never want to know the details.
But I need to make sense of it. I need to try to turn the experience into something valuable for you, and for myself-not just something to be pushed away and forgotten. Emmy, the events we lived through taught me to be sure of nothing about other people. They taught me to expect danger around every corner. They taught me to understand that there are people in this world who mean you harm.
Matthew

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Werlin tackles the topic of child abuse with grace and insight. Narrated by 17-year-old Matt as a letter to his youngest sister, Emmy, The Rules of Survival is his effort to come to terms with the vicious treatment he and his two sisters suffered at the hands of Nikki, their beautiful and unpredictable mother. One of Matt's early memories involves getting up during the night to sneak a cookie back to bed and being caught by his mother. Giggling and yelling "Cookie thief," she holds a knife to his throat, cutting him just a little bit to teach him not to steal. As much as he fears her manic highs and lows, his greater concern as he grows older is for the safety of his sisters. He and Callie shield Emmy as much as possible from Nikki's volatile moods. Compounding the problem are the adults in their lives-their father and their aunt-who recognize Nikki's instability but find it easier to look the other way. When Nikki's ex-boyfriend Murdoch befriends the children, they want to believe that a more normal future is possible, but are afraid of being disappointed by an adult yet again. The characters captivate readers from the beginning, and short, terse chapters move the plot along with an intensity that will appeal to seasoned Werlin fans and reluctant readers alike. Teens will empathize with these siblings and the secrets they keep in this psychological horror story.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

In this heartbreaking tale of abuse and love, 14-year-old Matthew rescues himself and his younger sisters from a dangerously unstable mother. Nikki's abusive behavior would be hard for a police officer or social worker to identify. She doesn't beat them (much) or sexually molest them. Instead, the children survive manic behavior, mood swings, reckless endangerment and constant, unremitting fear. No benevolent adults can rescue the children: Matthew's absent father loves his children but not as much as he fears his crazy ex-wife; Aunt Bobbie closes her eyes to the violence and psychological abuse she knows occurs; and social services, Matthew knows, are utterly useless. As Nikki's mental problems descend further into dangerous psychosis, Matthew looks for a rescuer. Though he thinks he's found a fairy godfather in protective neighbor Murdoch, the instigation to push the adults into doing the right thing comes from Matthew himself. Beautifully framed as a letter from Matthew to his younger sister, the suspense is paced to keep Matthew's survival and personal revelations chock-full of dramatic tension. Bring tissues. (Fiction. YA)

From the Publisher

A National Book Award finalist

An LA Times Book Prize finalist

"Brilliant." -Booklist, starred review

"Heartbreaking." -Kirkus, starred review

"Told with grace and insight." -School Library Journal, starred review

"Not only a suspenseful psychological thriller but a compelling and unusual insight into the experience of child abuse." -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An exceptional novel."-Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy

"The Rules of Survival spoke to me. The outcome made knots in my chest come undone." -Tamora Pierce

An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults

A School Library Journal Best Book of the year

A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of the year

A Voya Review "Perfect 10"

A Top Ten BookSense Winter Children's Book Pick of the year

A Kansas City Star Noteworthy Book of the year

A New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age

A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book selection

OCT/NOV 07 - AudioFile

Daniel Passer's voice is gentle as he tells a horrific story. Fifteen-year-old Matthew and 13-year-old Callie try to protect their 7-year-old sister, Emmy, from the unpredictable rages and cruelties of their mother. They reach out to their aunt, their estranged father, and Murdoch, a stranger turned friend who seems to be a man of courage, in an attempt to get help. This is a story of survival, and as the subtle but brutal abuse mounts, Passer's soft voice expresses a mix of the hush of secrecy and a prayer for an impossible rescue. The courage of Matt and Callie and their eventual release from their mother will make listeners want to cheer. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171814700
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	07/10/2007
Edition description:	Unabridged

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