66 pages 2 hours read

Cynthia Lord

Rules

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006

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Chapters 16-22Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 16 Summary: “No Dancing Unless I’m Alone in My Room or It’s Pitch-Black Dark”

Catherine suspects Kristi’s mother will not allow her to go to the dance with Ryan if Catherine does not attend as well. Catherine refuses to go to the dance but agrees to help Kristi create posters. In Catherine’s bedroom, lying on the floor as they make the posters, Kristi continues to pressure Catherine to go to the dance. The girls are interrupted by David. Kristi instantly hops up to turn on music and asks David to dance. To stop what she perceives as a humiliating display with David stomping on their art supplies, Catherine leaps to her feet and turns off the music, much to Kristi’s disappointment as she says, “You’re no fun” (160). David rushes out to ride with his dad to the video store, leaving the girls to finish their posters in awkward silence.

Chapter 17 Summary: “Not Everything Worthy Keeping Has to Be Useful”

Catherine goes to her favorite store, Elliot’s Antique, in search of an inexpensive guitar to give Jason for his birthday. Purchasing the only one she can afford, Catherine sneaks it into her mother’s car, which is parked near the clinic.