46. The Rules of Survival - Nancy Werlin

For: Young Adult
Pub: 2006
273 pgs.
Rating: 5/5
Finished: Sept. 2, 2008
POWERFUL

Beautifully written, this heartbreaking story is in the form of a letter from 18-year old Matthew to his 9-year old sister, Emmy. Until three years previously, Matthew, Emmy, and his just-barely younger sister Callie have lived in a horrifying world with their mother. Nikki, in South Boston. She is crazy. It's never give it a name, but she's got to be some sort of schizophrenic, bi-polar, narcissitic crazy stalker woman. They never, EVER know what to expect from her: love, screams, violence, or even a knife to their neck...all in the name of "fun". The kids have coped, learning "how to survive" for years, until Matthew realizes that her demons have invaded her soul and someone's going to be hurt badly.

Supposedly these children come out emotionally unscathed. Their strength, their saviness, their instincts are all unbelievable, yet....believable. At the end of the letter, Matthew tells Emmy that he knows he'll never actually give her the letter. Perhaps it's been a catharsis for him.

Wow. Next Tuesday my Teacher Book Club will be discussing this. I'll write more then. I can't wait to hear their insights.