Plot summary, “The Usual Rules” by Joyce Maynard in 4 Minutes - Book Review

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Published on September 8, 2025 5:02:03 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrY5Ci0WYrA

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The Usual Rules (2004) by Joyce Maynard is a young adult novel and one of the first post-9/11 works to address the World Trade Center attacks. It follows 13-year-old Wendy, whose mother dies in the tragedy, forcing her to move from Brooklyn to California to live with her estranged father. As Wendy navigates grief, new relationships, and a search for identity, she learns to cope with loss and redefine family. Critics praise the book’s sensitive coming-of-age narrative and authentic young voice, though some find its use of 9/11 as a backdrop controversial.