Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

"You looked at Callie and me from over our mother's shoulder... I hoped you wouldn't try to wriggle out of the embrace, because in fact our mother seemed to be in a good mood. She was humming. Cocaine? New man? There were a few possibilities, and I didn't care which one it was. Maybe we'd have an okay evening."

Those are the words of Matthew Walsh as he tells a story of survival to his youngest sister Emmy. Matthew has decided to write down the events as they happened so his sister can read them some day. She was so young at the time, he worries that she might not understand the details of their early life in the hands of an abusive mother.

Nancy Werlin writes a powerful novel, THE RULES OF SURVIVAL, about three children and their struggle to live normal lives surrounded by chaos and abuse. Their crazed mother Nikki, most likely bi-polar or manic-depressive, has created a topsy-turvy environment for her family. One day she's treating them to a gigantic pancake feast at IHOP, and the next she disappears without a trace for days.

Matthew, Callie, and Emmy soldier on alone until help arrives in the form of a sympathetic boyfriend. He enlists the help of Matthew and Callie's father and their mother's sister to rescue the kids from the chaos.

Werlin creates a realistic and terrifying picture of life through Matthew's eyes. Readers will remember the story well after the last page. This is a book worth reading for adults as well as teens. ( )

Matt has grown up trying to protect himself and his sisters from their mother Nikki, who is wildly unpredictable and cruel. When he meets Murdoch, he realizes a normal life is not ruled by fear. Matt writes this story to his younger sister Emmy who does not realize just how dangerously they once lived. Recommended for those who liked A Child Called It. ( )

Have you ever had a mom that has gone over the fun limit? Where your mom dangled your baby sister over a cliff? Where your mom tries to sue a guy that is doing no harm to you except smiling? Where your mom has knicked you with a huge kitchen knife when you stole a cookie? Where you mom risks getting hit by a car, just becuase you didn't say you loved her loud enough?

Well, as you can see, Matt has experienced a mom that no one has ever experienced. A mom that thinks, even dangerous stuff, is fun.

Matt, amazingly enough, has braved through all those dangers, and fought his way through the tangles, and eliminated his thoughts of his mother.

I really think that Matt is a guy that takes responsibility right away. He is about almost fearless of others, and takes his own opinion seriously.

I think those people who whine that their life is not fair, or they can't get an IPhone, or Itouch, or even IPod read this, and discover how easy your life is compared to Matt's; you can't even have your own freedom on your own opinions, and decisions.

I really hope you understand. ( )

Matt writes a letter to his youngest sister Emmy to explain how they came to live with their Aunt Bobbie. He recalls the neglect, the emotional and sometimes physical abuse they suffered at the hands of Nikki, their mother. The plot is very realistic, Matthew's character is flawed but courageous and good. ( )

I couldn't finish this one but that's just because these sorts of books aren't my thing -- it definitely has a place in the 'sad and true' category and teens who like that sort of thing will find this well written (much better than "Three Little Words" or others). I'd also recommend "Someone In Between" for this genre. ( )