rules of survival

the rules of survival

By Nancy Werlin

Pages: 360

ISBN:9780142410714

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Setting: Boston, Massachusetts

the rules of survival is written from the view of a big brother. Matt is writing to his little sister Emmy about their childhood with their mother. This story is about three children trying to survive their mother, Nikki’s abuse. The interesting part to this story is Matt. He has his own rules to survival. Matt’s goal each day is to protect Emmy. Matt opens the book by explaining Murdock. Murdock, is in a way Matt’s hero. Matt sees Murdock as his way out, he is the solution to the problems Matt is having with his mother. Matt never dreamt of Murdock dating his mom, but he does. And for a brief moment before Murdock sees Nikki’s true light Matt feels safe. The rest of the book is Matt’s, Callie’s and Emmy’s trail to survival from their mother.

I enjoyed reading this book. I was interesting to see abuse from the side of the abuser, at one point in the book Matt mention how it really isn’t that bad. Matt and his sisters lived life in fear of what their mother may or may not do next. Matt reaches out for help from his biological father but only gets rejected which helps give understanding as to why it took so long for Matt to finally get the help he needed to save him and his sisters. I think that this book would help the average reader understand that abuse it some than a beating that blinds or breaks bones, it is being put in a situation that causes fear and is unrightfully put upon them.