The Rules of Survival

Nancy Werlin
The Rules of Survival
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee

As the oldest child of an abusive mother, Matthew works hard to protect his sisters. Trying to make sure their mother is happy and barricading themselves behind the bedroom door are some of the things he must do. When he sees an unknown man stand up for a child in a store, he sees somebody who is not afraid, somebody that he would like to know and be like. When his mother starts dating Murdoch, Matthew feels that life could be good. However, Murdoch soon tires of the relationship, and now Matthew must try to save his sisters on his own.