The Rules of Survival (2006) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit

Write a ridiculously simplified synopsis.

Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

• Matthew: The main character, is the oldest of his mother's abuse. Is narating this story which is a letter for his younger sister Emmy. -A.S.Matthew is the oldest of the three, and is telling their life story througout this book for his sister emmy. -G.W. Matthew is the main character. He is writing the book to Emmy Who is baby at the time of the story. His whole life basicly consists of protecting himself and his two sisters from their abusive Mom. He is very smart and able to make good decisions.RA.
• Callie: Matthew's little sister and his closest friend. Matt goes to her with his secrets and together they help keep their younger half sister Emmy alive and survive their Mother's sick games. -A.S.Callie is Matt's sister who is closest to his age. Her and matt try to stick together and protect emmy from their crazy mother. - G.W. Callie and Matt stick together through thick and thin. They have each others back and love each other a lot. dispite a feww differences they do their best to protect themselves and Emmy from Nikki.RA.
• Rob: Matt's mother uses him to "hurt" Murdoch, because of drugs, Murdoch easily takes him. Rob is both harmed and thrown in jail because of what he did. -A.S.Rob is one of Nikki's 'friends'. Nikki lures him in with cocaine then convinces him to beat up Murdoch, which he fails to do. -G.W. Rob is one tool Nikki uses to do her evil deeds. He is really non-essential to the plot.RA.
• Murdoch: Matt first sees him in a store and instantly thinks he can help. He later discovers who he is and Matt's mother meets him. Murdoch wants to help but isn't exactly sure how to. -A.S.Matt see's Murdoch react to a father being mean to his child and he realizes that he needs someone like Murdoch in his life. Matt and his sister try to search for him and eventually get his phone number. Murdoch is in their life for awhile but learns of Nikki's ways. Murdoch understands they need help but he doesn't know what to do. - G.W. Murdoch, is a man Matt saw in a corner store reacting to a child beating from the kids dad. immediately matt knew he was the man for his mom. matt found murdoch and got their mom and him to date. it was a while but then murdoch found nikki's reall personality and he is confused. Murdoch man that Matt sees sticking up for a kid in a store. Matt right away knows that he needs Murdoch in his life. He starts dating their Mom and for awhile he is all they have.Murdoch truly wants to help, but he finds himself in an akward situation. In the end we find out that Murdoch killed his own abusive father when he was younger. RA.
• Emmy: Matthew's half sister, Matthew is writing this story for her. Even though he doesn't want her to know the truth yet, he knows someday she will have to. -A.S.Emmy is Matt and Callie's half sister and she is the youngest. Emmy is young at can't recall all of the events that have gone on so Matt is writting this book for her. -G.W. Emmy is Matt's younger sister who he is writing the book for. she is very young when the book is happening. Matt wants her to know what happened so he writes about it for her. She is very stubborn and also a special target of Nikki's. RA.
• Nikki: The abusive irresponsible mother of Emmy, Calli and Mathew. Grew up with Aunt Bobbie and dated Murdoch.

Quotes edit see section history

• “Demons are real. Since im not religious, I think of them as metaphors for the evil desires and impulses all humans have. A religious person can think of them as separate evil beings that can possess you. Either way, I believe they do exist, lurking patiently around and in us, whispering their twisted points of view, ever alert for an opportunity. The sudden chink in your armor when your tired, frightened, or angry. The invitation you issue in that moment of vulnerability.”

  Matthew

• “There was no point calling anybody else or expecting anybody else to help. Nobody ever helped, not when it mattered. I might even have had some vague vindictive thought that that would show them all. And that I didn't need anyone anyway.”

  Matthew

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Southie
• Arlington
• Cumberland Farms
• Boston
• East Tenth Street

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• practitioner: a person engaged in the practice of a profession, occupation
• pacify: to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquillity; quiet; calm
• premed: a program of premedical study or training.
• communing: to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy
• belligerent: warlike; given to waging war

Series & Lists edit see section history

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Nancy Werlin (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

This book contains adult language, adult situations, and kids having to fend for themselves. It also contains abuse.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Teens › Authors, A-Z › ( W ) › Werlin, Nancy
• Books › Teens › Social Issues › Violence
• Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction