Cody and the Rules of Life

Doing the right thing can be hard! When prized possessions start going missing, Cody gets a crash course in the most important rules of all — the rules of life.

In Cody’s life, many things are hard to predict. Like why her older brother, Wyatt, is obsessed with his new bicycle called the Cobra, or why her best friend Pearl suddenly wants to trade favorite toys. Pearl says she will trust Cody with Arctic Fox because Cody is a trusty person. But Cody doesn’t want to give up her beloved Gremlin, and she regrets it as soon as she hands him over. When the Cobra goes missing, Cody has to decide for herself who is trusty and who is not. If only she had Gremlin to talk to! Surely Pearl wouldn’t mind if she secretly traded back . . . it’s not stealing if it belonged to you in the first place, right?

“Written with verve and style, this nicely illustrated chapter book delves into Cody's emotions as she wrestles with her conscience, accuses a neighbor of stealing, and tries to make everything come out right. This chapter book from the Cody series handles a tough issue with sensitivity and balance. -Booklist Online”

Written with verve and style, this nicely illustrated chapter book delves into Cody’s emotions as she wrestles with her conscience, accuses a neighbor of stealing, and tries to make everything come out right. This chapter book from the Cody series handles a tough issue with sensitivity and balance.
—Booklist Online

The narrative is lively and humorous, with plenty of jokes at the expense of adults (Cody’s teacher thinks the stolen Cobra is a snake, not a bike)...Fans of the Cody series and newcomers alike will identify with Cody’s dilemma and look forward to exploring her world in other books.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Told in third-person limited narration, Cody’s story captures her personal struggles and her sensitive nature. Her confidence and self-awareness grow as Cody finds her way with her teacher, her peers, and her family in this gentle, funny, and moving chapter book.
—The Horn Book

Cody is a very approachable, well-meaning, and relatable character...readers will appreciate how Cody copes with family, friends, and the complications that life brings.
—School Library Journal

Springstubb creates a kind of magic in these books, with their gentle humor, realistic classroom settings, their generosity of spirit and real empathy for kids struggling to figure out how to do the right thing.
—Buffalo News

What I like most about Cody and the Rules of Life is that people actually speak to one another...Cody is a thoughtful, sensitive girl trying to cope with events and issues that come up in life including communicating to family, friends, and teachers.
—Story Monsters Ink

Short, easy-to-read sentences are full of quirks and personality in a story that will speak directly to the hearts of middle grade readers. Plentiful illustrations and a sprinkling of Spanish reflect the diverse cast of characters.
—School Library Connection

Tricia Springstubb is the author of the novels What Happened on Fox Street and Mo Wren, Lost and Found, as well as the picture book Phoebe and Digger, illustrated by Jeff Newman, and the previous books in the Cody series. Tricia Springstubb lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Eliza Wheeler is the author-illustrator of Miss Maple’s Seeds and the illustrator of Doll Bones, a Newbery Honor Book, written by Holly Black, as well as the other books in the Cody series. Eliza Wheeler lives in Los Angeles, California.

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