I cried. This is one of the first books I have actually cried in. Near the end when the unthinkable happens I was just bawling. This book was really well written and even though it was slow at some parts and the main character made me angry. The book invoked feelings out of me and that is what books are really for right. There really was no defining conclusion but that worked with what the book was trying to say. Yeah I liked Laurie way better than Alison and I wanted Laurie and Kevin to get together through the whole thing, but like that was going to happen right. I wish there had been a list of her rules, but I don't know, this book just worked even though there were so many things about it that were working against it.

Alison has a lot of rules: When stealing a rowboat, always check that the oars are the same length, so you don't go in circles. In reference to your best friend's crush, keep your feelings to yourself. And never use your locker if that's where you were standing when told the very worst news of all in The Alison Rules (2006) by Catherine Clark.

Some of her rules aren't the most rational. But when your mother is dead, rationality isn't really important. In fact, it isn't even really a concern. Between the rules and her best friend, Laurie, Alison manages to get by. Maybe she isn't having the greatest time, but at least she's surviving.

Everything changes when a new boy moves to Alison's small town. Patrick is fun, different, and he might be exactly what Alison needs. Unfortunately both Alison and Laurie fall for Patrick setting off a series of arguments and events that will ultimately tear the two friends apart.

The Alison Rules was not the book I expected it to be. After looking at the cover and reading the blurb it seemed like a fun book that would have an ultimately okay ending.

I was wrong.

Don't get me wrong. Being surprised by a book is fine. It is usually a good thing. But I found the ending of The Alison Rules to be completely unforgivable. It was unnecessary, excessive, and made no sense in the general arc of the story. I would love to pick it apart for you here, but I don't post spoilers. Suffice it to say this is a story about growing up, grieving, and friendship.Then Catherine Clark threw in a surprise twist that, for me, completely invalidated everything else I had read in the book. I hate to say it so strongly but: Not recommended.

Ages 12+

Slightly more serious than Clark's other titles. HELLO SAD BOOK. YET ALSO AWESOME.

Alison has many rules about life. They aren't your normal rules, like Don't Talk to Strangers. No, one of her rules is not using her locker. Another is avoiding Boston at all costs. But then Patrick comes to town. Alison's best friend, Laurie, is falling for him, and Alison is, too. And it scares her.

The school newspaper goes to Boston on a field trip, and even Alison doesn't abide by one of her rules and she goes. When she's in Boston, you see why she has so many weird rules. You find out why she's afraid of the city. You also find out why she's so afraid of being close to people.

If you are looking for a happy book, don't read this. I was actually crying at the end, and it takes a lot for me to cry. It's sad, but it also makes you think about your life. I haven't read any other of Catherine Clark's books, but you'll be sure I'll be getting another one now. This book had me hooked from the beginning, and I read the whole book on Tuesday because it was just so addicting and had me wondering what was going to happen so much that I stayed up and finished it on Tuesday night, I couldn't wait until the next day to read this.

If you are looking for a good book that is written well, and that will make you think about your life, I recommend this. However, if you want all that minus the sadness factor, then this definitely isn't the book for you.