“Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She’s thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein) which, according to Rose’s
rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose’s obsessions, her rules, or the other things that make her different – not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single
father.”
Rain, Reign is about Rose, a fifth
grade student with an “official diagnosis” of high-functioning autism. Her love of homonyms, words, prime numbers, and rules defines her, but she is also clever, kind, courageous, and
resilient. Through Rose’s story and her rule-following actions, readers learn a great deal about what matters in life.
Rain Reign won the American Library Association's 2015 Schneider Family Book Award for middle school readers (ages 11-13).
The award honors an author or illustrator “for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences."
“Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose’s point of view.”
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the main conflicts in the story?
2. What is Rose’s greatest challenge?
3. How would you describe Rose’s personality? Use situations from the book to explain your answer.
4. Should Rose’s dad have taken Rain?
5. How does Rose help Rain? How does Rain help Rose?
6. Describe Ann Martin’s writing style. How does it affect the story?
7. How does the setting of the story add to the plot?
8. What was your reaction to the book? Would you recommend it?
9. What happens to Rose after the book ends?
10. What did you learn from Rose that you could apply to your life?
