The Rules of Survival

by Nancy Werlin

Overview

For Matt and his sisters, life with their mother is a day-to-day struggle for survival. But then Matt sees a guy called Murdoch coming to a child's rescue in a convenience store-and amazingly, Murdoch begins dating his mother. For the first time, Matt feels hope.

But the relief doesn't last. When Murdoch inevitably breaks up with his mother, and life gets even worse, Matt knows he needs to take action. But what can he do?

Matt's Rules of Survival

1. Sometimes, the people who mean you harm are the ones who say they love you.
2. Fear is your friend. When you feel it, act.
3. Protect the little ones.
4. If you coped before, you can cope now.
5. Always remember: in the end, the survivor gets to tell the story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798986758602
Publisher:	Nancy Werlin
Publication date:	09/15/2022
Pages:	282
Sales rank:	364,770
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.64(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Nancy Werlin writes YA fiction that ranges from realistic fiction to suspense to fantasy, often breaking the boundaries between genres. Her books have gathered awards too numerous to mention, but including National Book award finalist, Edgar award winner and finalist, New York Times bestseller, L.A. Book Prize finalist, and IndieBound Top Ten. Nancy's first novel, Are You Alone on Purpose, was a Publishers Weekly Flying Start pick.
 
Of Nancy's suspense fiction, Sarah Weinman says, "Chances are, many of you haven't heard of this author. That would be a shame, because she's simply one of the best crime novelists going right now. Period." These titles are where Nancy habitually breaks genre-separation rules and include The Rules of Survival (a National Book Award finalist), The Killer's Cousin (Edgar award winner), Locked Inside (Edgar award nominee), Black Mirror (which the Washington Post called "an edge-of-your seat thriller"), and Double Helix (named to multiple best-of-year book lists). 
 
Nancy's unusual fantasy fiction was inspired by the ballad Scarborough Fair and includes the loose trilogy Impossible (a New York Times bestseller), Extraordinary (featuring a rare thing in fantasy fiction: a Jewish heroine), and her personal beloved, Unthinkable. 
 
For fun, Nancy also writes and draws a graphic memoir in comics, using her Tumblr to self-publish an episode three times a week. 
 
Her favorite book in all the world is Jane Eyre. 
 
A graduate of Yale, Nancy lives near Boston, Massachusetts with her husband.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

One of [Werlin]Æs most deliciously harrowing works.

ùVOYA

Edgar Award-winner Werlin delivers another suspense-filled thriller that is sure to spark discussion.

ùHorn Book

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher

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.

School Library Journal

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)

Kirkus Reviews

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

OCT/NOV 07 - AudioFile