rules of survival

Rules of survival by Nancy Werlin is about a boy named Matt trying to help his little sisters and himself live through life while trying to survive against there drug addicted mother and here dangerous off set moods.  Matt and his sisters can live much longer with their mother because she is getting to out of hand and the littlest sister is acting out against the mother and that is putting Matt and the other sister in trouble.   The book takes place in only a few settings that all have a great impact on the story.  Also throughout the book Matt changes mentally and physically which helps him deal with his mother.  But most importantly it’s the people that inspire him and change him the help Matt the most.  All through the book Matt is always trying to find help and a way to get away from his mother and keep his sisters safe.  And his mother is the biggest obstacle they face to getting to freedom and escape her.  The message it’s trying to convey is when you grow up they’re many tough obstacles but they’re always people around you that can help. 

            In the book there are a few settings but in each one something deep always happens that shapes the story.  The first setting is in the very beginning in side the small corner store.  This is where they meet Murdoch, a man the helps them escape their mother and gives them comfort and safety around her.  Then there is the car ride home when the mother is driving and she has a mood swing about how the kids didn’t say thank you so she drove into opposing traffic and ranting about how no one is grateful.  That is when Matt really realized that they need to get away from her and fast.  Then the most important scene was in the dockyard when matt was rescuing his little sister and the mother tried to stop him.  The mother was on the floor and Matt was ready to kill her but he was interrupted.  This was when Matt knew he had to end it all but he had to think it over but he didn’t have enough time.  He was also thinking over the consequences and positives of the situation.

            There are a few people in the book that helped Matt become who he is.  The first is the mother Nikki she made him think about what was around him and what to do.  The way Nikki did this was by being her normal drug addict-self and having her dangerous mood swings.  Matt had to adapt to these ways and had to think fast to protect him and his sisters.  The next is Aunt Bobbie she helped Matt get away from Nikki and took custody of the kids.  She helped Matt feel safe and made him not afraid of anything anymore because he was away from the danger now.  Next is Murdoch he was the one the Matt looked up to and wanted to be he wanted to be exactly like him to be strong, not afraid, and daring.  He also related to Murdoch because they had the same problems growing up.  He was all around the role model that changed Matt to be like him. 

            Now lastly I would describe Matt in the beginning as a kid that seems lost but dedicated to trying to get away from his mothers grasp.  Also that he is weak but a very quick and smart thinker.  Plus he is like the leader and can take charge of a group and lead the situation into better hands or towards victory.  After meeting Murdoch I think he became more aware of everything and he noticed how bad he has it and that freedom and peace shouldn’t be taken lightly and you should enjoy it but not for long.  Also he notices a lot more things like others life problems and the difficulty of escape and the odds of escaping.  Then near the end of the book he is stronger physically and mentally he has no fear of his mother and he is compltetly free from his mother in general.  He still has all his other traits but doesn’t have to worry much but is still always expecting the unexpected.