The James Logan Courier

By Sarena Bains, Courier Staff Writer

The Alison Rules, by Catherine Clark
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: HarperTempest (8/10/2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060559802
ISBN-13: 978-0060559809


In The Alison Rules, by Catherine Clark, Alison, is mourning the death of her mother. The only way Alison thinks that it is possible to get over this situation is to set her self a set of rules. She thinks that as long as she follows the rules she won't get hurt. She tries to live day by day following each and every one of these rules in order for her to deal with her mother's death.

Alison’s best friend is Laurie who in any way possible supports her and is her backbone. The only problem is that the rules that Alison has set up for herself start to break when she meets Patrick, a potential boyfriend. Alison has to try and figure out what rules to obey and what rules she must break free of. Along the way she has to realize that by breaking certain rules she will lose certain people in her life that care for her.

Alison learns how to make choices and deal with pain in a whole different way. This entire process is one that helps her heal with the death of her own mother.

The book fills in the reader with all the information needed to click everything together half way through the novel. While reading the book the reader has many different emotions swaying through their head. This is a novel that should be read by readers who enjoy unexpected twists.