Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading…
Transcript

The Rules of Survival

An exceptional novel, appropriate for all teens

--Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy

"Werlin tackles the topic of child abuse with

grace and insight...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 phsychological horror story."

--School Library Journal

SUMMARY

Written in the form of a letter, The Rules of Survival is about the struggles of three children and their abusive mother. The writer of the letter, Matthew, is a teen and the oldest child. He feels obligated to protect his two younger sisters, Callie and Emmy, from their mother.

The father, Ben, left many years ago and makes no effort to help the children. Their mother, Nikki, is phsycotic, and at times abusive. She will bring home strange men at late hours of the night. The children never know and often never see these men. They choose to stay in the one bedroom all three of them sleep in. Nikki has horrible mood swings, and is never predicatable. Her sister, Bobbie, lives below their apartment. She well knows what Nikki is like, but like Ben, doesn't help the children.

Matthew and Callie have learned the rules of surival about living with Nikki. It's not easy by any means, but they do what they have to. Then one day, Matthew sees a man who he believes can and will help them out. His name is Murdoch, and Matthew convince him to date Nikki. Life is good for a while and even Nikki is enjoyable to be around. But then little by little she starts to make mistakes. It finally gets so bad that Murdoch can't handle it anymore and leaves their lives.

The children are once again back where they started from. Matthew has to fight for the lives of his siblings. At the same time he is constantly trying to find anyone that can help them. Matthew continues to fight for help. He eventually gets his Aunt Bobbie, his father Ben, and even Murdoch to help these children fight for freedom.

After a few jailtimes for Nikki and some big mistakes along with the help of the adults, all three children finally gain legal freedom. Matthew's determination works for the best in the end.

The Rules of Survival goes deep into the life of a child dealing with an abusive parent. It examines the struggles and triumphs faced by these children as they strive for a better life.

Matthew:

The oldest of Nikki's three children, Matthew feels obligated to protect his sisters from his mother. He sacrifices himself so that his youngest, Emmy, doesn't have to see how bad her mother really is. He takes the majority of Nikki's anger and receives many physical beatings by her. At one time, she takes a knife to his throat nearly killing him. Also, he shows great determination in his endless quest for first Murdoch. Then when he leaves, Matthew again works dilligently to get help. He shows courage in the face of difficulty by doing what he feels is best despite how difficult it may be. Matthew was so dedicated to his sisters, I believe he would do anything to save them, even if it meant a great sacrifice for himself. He ends up strongly hating Nikki and almost killing her. But instead, he leaves and never sees her again. In the end, his hard work pays off for him and his sisters.

"An excellent mystery; with heartbreaking descriptions of child abuse, both physical and psychological."

--Kliatt

Callie:

Nikki's second child who is a couple years younger than Matthew. Together, Callie and Matthew have learned how best to deal with Nikki. They both feel obligated to protect their younger sister, Emmy. Callie is a very sweet girl and tries to get help. But, unlike Matthew, she is not so optimistic. After trying to get help she gives up even when Matthew tirelessly keeps searching. She doubts anything he does will work. Despite this attitude though, she doesn't sit back and let things be the way they are. Because of Nikki's abuse, Callie had become a stronger person that can handle any situation.

"Werlin reinforces her reputation as a master of the YA thriller, pulling off a brilliant departure in this dark but hopeful tale, with pacing and suspense guaranteed to leave readers breathlessly turning the pages."

—Booklist (starred review, 8/2006)

Nikki:

The mother of Matthew, Callie, and Emmy. She is psychotic, evil, and abusive towards her children and others. She threatens her children, even putting their lives at risk. Once, she takes Emmy, a toddler and holds her upside down over rocky waters. Claiming it's just for fun. Another time, she drives straight into oncoming traffic with all three children in the car. She won't go back into the correct lane until they tell her they love her. She abuses her children mentally and even physically. Her children are afraid of her from all that she puts them through. Nikki brings home strange men and any hours of the night ignoring her children. Life in their house is unstable, the children never knowing what she will do. She tries to get revenge on Murdoch, her ex-boyfriend because she is angry with him. She becomes a crazy stalker and finally in an automobile accident, Nikki, ends up paralyzing a good friend of Murdoch's. Nikki is sent to jail multiple times and finally loses custody of the children.

Review:

I liked this book very much and couldn't put it down. It completely captured my attention and I finished the book withing two days. It takes you deep into the lives of the children and you imagine yourself in their situation. It is gripping and there is plenty of action to keep it interesting. It is well written and easy to understand. It helped me to see somewhat of what it is like to have an abusive parent. Also, it helped me to think that there are many children in real life facing something very similar and they need help from someone. It is a good book because it can help people be aware of a very serious problem that could be easily forgotten. It would very much recommend the book.

Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi