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The Rules of Survival Audiobook
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(3.01) - 5,758 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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
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"Sitting down to think of what to write about this book, my stomach began to churn -- the tension of this story is that palpable and relivable to me. A teenage boy does what he can to save himself and his younger sisters from the danger that his mentally unstable and abusive mother subjects them to on a daily basis. This novel is told as a letter from the boy to the younger of his two sisters, whose memory he anticipates may at some point want support to fill in the blanks for herself. I love the straightforward nature of the narrator's voice, and the appealing strength of his character. I love that the plot is action-filled but believable and the ending is satisfying but realistic and not at all simple. And most of all, I love (and gave 5 stars to) this book because it has passed my biggest test at least three times: holding a group of adolescent reluctant readers captive to a read-aloud of it, and begging on numerous occasions to continue past the bell."
— Adrienne (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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A 2007 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
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A 2006 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Young Adult Fiction
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A 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature
The Rules of Survival Listener Reviews
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" Written in the format of a letter from Matt, the older brother, to his younger sister Emmy, it is the story of how the two of them plus their other sister Callie survived the abuse of their manic, likely bi-polar mother. Though his aunt lives downstairs and his father sends monthly child support checks, they both have turned a blind eye to their situation. When Matt and Callie see a man stand up to a father who is manhandling his young son in a convenience store, Matt obsesses over the possibilities of having such a strong person in his life, one who could maybe save them from their plight. Eventually Murdoch does get involved, and even when he is tempted to run away, he chooses to help the kids despite the inconvenience and dangers involved. "
— Cammym, 2/16/2014 -
" This book is written as a letter from an older brother to his younger sister, so it has a striking use of second person. It was so sad--a tragic story of child abuse mixed with hope of renewal! "
— Joey, 2/5/2014 -
" YA novel about abusive mother. Well done, but can't really say you ought to read it. That might be a little harsh, but unless the back cover summary appeals to you, I think you can skip this one. "
— David, 2/1/2014 -
" This book was very exciting for me to read it constantly had me thinking what would happen next. This could very possibly happen in real life which is why I thought that it was a good read and would recommend it. "
— Ernesto, 1/30/2014 -
" i dident really like because it was hard to follow but the time when i could follow the story it was a rerally great book.the ending of the book was exciding. i highly recomend reading this book when you have time like in the bathroom or in the car (wile not driving) of befor bed.the rules of survivle will put you on the edge of your seat. get your copy TODAY!!!!!!! "
— Alex, 1/15/2014 -
" heartbreaking and good. I particularly liked the self-discovery without being overbearing. "
— Brielle, 12/12/2013 -
" Not as climatic as I had hoped, but it was okay. "
— Tee, 10/14/2013 -
" Such a good read. Easy read, but powerful. Touching. "
— Izza, 9/25/2013 -
" This is my second read, and as sad as the novel is, I loved it just as much the second time around. The audio book (my 2nd read) is beautifully done and quite moving. "
— Valerie, 7/23/2013 -
" Wow. So intense and disturbing, yet so well written. "
— Kathleen, 5/5/2013 -
" The really sad part about this book is that it actually happens to kids, and that the cops really cant do too much to help them. "
— Sam, 2/10/2013 -
" Matt writes a letter to his youngest sister in which he tells the story of their siblings abuse by their mother. He tells the story of how they latched on to their hero, Murdoch, in a convenience store, and how he continued to play a role in Matthew's life in helping them to survive the ordeal. "
— Mk, 11/30/2012 -
" Quick to read book - it was good but not sure it should be called good since it was about child abuse. Just another story that makes me realize we don't begin to know the abuse that is being done to children in our own country. "
— Barbara, 10/4/2012 -
" Well-paced, intense, and engaging, "The Rules of Survival" is captivating and beautifully written. "
— Bri, 9/23/2012 -
" so far so GOOD =) "
— Kiara, 5/25/2012 -
" Loved this book..great read for middle to high school. "
— Jewel, 11/28/2011 -
" i loved it. it was heart wrenching but i almost felt like i could relate to their homelife. it scared me a little and got me teary a couple of times. i may have even stopped breathing at one point.... but i loved it especially the ending. books should always be as real as this one. "
— kaylajojo, 6/3/2011 -
" This is a an intense read. It is about a boy who has to protect his sisters from their mom's erratic/mentally unstable behavior. I had a hard time putting it down because I needed to know that Matthew was going to be okay. "
— Kaylee, 5/22/2011 -
" Very well written and a quick read. I read it in a few hours and really enjoyed it. "
— Tiffany, 5/11/2011 -
" I marked this book with five stars because it showed me what it really felt like to live with an abusive parent. Matt showed a lot of strength and courage in the story he tells to his younger sister. "
— Sam, 5/9/2011 -
" Well-paced, intense, and engaging, "The Rules of Survival" is captivating and beautifully written. "
— Bri, 4/26/2011 -
" I used this as a read-aloud this year; great narration--and the mom is one of the most evil characters I've ever read. "
— Jared, 4/19/2011 -
" I. Was. Hooked. This novel leaves you raving for more. The suspense kills and tortures you until you read the next paage. A great novel taht I wouldn't be able to live without reading. "
— Nam, 4/13/2011 -
" Intense book about an abusive mother and her 3 children. I love the relationship amongst the siblings in this book. "
— Krish, 4/7/2011 -
" I wish I would've have read this book sooner... "
— Cici, 4/3/2011 -
" I liked it I hope there will be a second book. "
— Azzy, 3/24/2011 -
" A heartbreaking, sad story with a hopeful ending. Sadly, though, I know too many stories like this exist that don't end the same way. "
— Zinna, 3/15/2011
About Nancy Werlin
Nancy Werlin is the author of The Rules of Survival, which was a National Book Award finalist. She has also worked as a technical writer and editor for several computer software and Internet companies. A graduate of Yale University, she currently lives near Boston.