House Rules: A Book Review

Jacob Hunt is an 18-year-old boy. He enjoys watching crime shows. He has one brother. He lives with his mom. Jacob is the main character for Jodi Picoult's latest novel, House Rules.

Jacob also has Asperger's Syndrome.

Having majored in Special Education during college, and believing in equal opportunities for those with exceptionalities, I was interested in reading House Rules to see how Jacob was portrayed. To work on social awareness and cues each of us take for granted, Jacob works with a tutor. When the tutor is first missing before later being discovered dead, the police point the finger at Jacob.

Picoult writes her chapters displaying each character's voice, just as she does in her other novels. While I do have compassion for Jacob, I found myself being even more sympathetic towards his mother, Emma.

The story travels from the beginning of a murder trial through the end, showing the struggles for Jacob, both with what happened, his perception and the difficulties he faces solely because of his autism.

I would certainly recommend this book for someone searching for a well written court drama or exceptional character development.

Picoult writes with a strength I envy.

More To Read By Picoult

If you found yourself enjoying House Rules, you may also like the following by Jodi Picoult. I have read each of these, or I wouldn't be recommending them!

Happy Reading!

• Handle with Care
• Change of Heart
• Nineteen Minutes
• My Sister's Keeper
• Perfect Match
• The Pact
• Plain Truth

*Created September 26, 2010 KG