“The Rules of Survival spoke to me. The outcome made knots in my chest come undone.”
—Tamora Pierce
“Werlin tackles the topic of child abuse with grace and insight.”
—School Library Journal (starred review, 9/2006)
“Werlin reinforces her reputation as a master of the YA thriller.”
—Booklist (starred review, 8/2006)
“The suspense is paced to keep Matthew’s survival and personal revelations chock-full of dramatic tension. Bring tissues.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review, 7/15/2006)
“One of [Werlin]’s most deliciously harrowing works.”
—Voya (“Perfect 10” 5Q/5P, 9/2006)
“Not only a suspenseful psychological thriller but a compelling and unusual insight into the experience of child abuse.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Recommended (9/2006)
“One of literature’s most despicable mothers.”
—Publishers Weekly (10/9/2006)
“An exceptional novel.”
—Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (4/2007)
- A 2006 National Book Award finalist, Young People’s Literature
- A Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist.
- An ALA Best Books for Young Adults: Top Ten Choice.
- An ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Teen Readers.
- A School Library Journal Best Book of 2006.
- A Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2006.
- A Voya Review “Perfect 10” for 2006.
- A Top Ten BookSense Winter 2006-2007 Children’s Book Pick.
- A Kansas City Star Noteworthy Book of 2006.
- A New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age.
- A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book selection, 2007.
- A Junior Library Guild selection.
- Cybils Young Adult Book award finalist, 2007 (online community award)
- JHunt Young Adult Book award nominee 2007 (online community award)
- A Texas Tayshas reading list selection for 2007-2008.
- A Rhode Island Teen Book Award nominee for 2007-2008.
- A Virginia Readers’ Choice list selection for 2008-2009.
- A Missouri Gateway Readers Award list selection for 2008-2009.
- An Iowa High School Book Award 2008-2009 Master List selection.
- A South Carolina Book Award 2008-2009 Master List selection.
- A Tennessee Volunteer State Book Awards selection, 2008-2009.
- A Washington State Evergreen Master List selection for 2009.
- An Oklahoma Sequoyah Young Adult Master List selection for 2009.
- A Garden State (New Jersey) Teen Book Award Master List selection for 2008-2009.
- A Heartland Award (Kansas) in young adult literature finalist for 2009.
- An Illinois Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award finalist for 2010.
- An ALA popular paperback selection, 2010.