Mollie Phalen

   
Dear Cynthia Lord,

Your book Rules changed the way I thought of children with Autism. I used to be scared to talk to them and would feel unsure around them. After reading Rules, I am not scared to say anything to them and I do not feel unsure around them anymore. Your book taught me that children with Autism are just like regular people, except sometimes their brain works differently. Your book also showed me that children with Autism are not that different from me. How, you may ask? The character David taught me that a child with Autism could have the same interests as me. Just like David, I also like the poems and stories that Arnold Lobel has written. I enjoy going to the video store to pick out movies. David liked doing that too.

My mom was a special education teacher and taught children with Autism. I have always wanted to be a general education teacher, but after reading your book Rules, I have decided that a classroom full of children with different abilities is the best kind of classroom to have.

                            Sincerely,
                            Mollie Phalen