Rain Reign

rainreignWritten by Ann M. Martin


Rose Howard is a high-functioning autistic fifth grader who loves her dog, Rain, and adores homonyms. Very few know how to deal with Rose, including her own father. Uncle Weldon seems to be the only one who understands Rose’s obsessions and rules. When Rain goes missing during a severe storm Rose is determined to find her dog.

This is a beautiful story of love, family, friendship, courage and sacrifice. The story is written the way Rose thinks and functions, which feels abrupt and matter-of-fact, but will provide readers with a wonderful insight into the world of autism. Whenever Rose uses a word that is a homonym all words in that homonym are listed in parenthesis. I found that to be a little distracting, but it also contributed to establishing Rose’s obsession and provided all those wonderful homonyms to think about.

Review by Jennifer Porter, Crestview Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-7

This is a good book. It is about a girl named Rose Howard and her dog Rain. The story is told from her point of view. Rose is high end autistic or has Asperger’s and she is very bright. She is obsessed with homonyms and following the rules. She lives with her father, but is well taken care of by her Uncle Weldon. This is a story about what happens to Rose and her dog, Rain, when Hurricane Susan hits their town. It is a story that shows her triumph as she leaves her safe routine to help others. You will see her overcome disappointments to help those in her classroom who also suffer loss from the storm and see her overcome loss in her family to find true happiness in forming a new family. Don’t you wish that more people would have that honesty of spirit that Rose demonstrates—as well as have the love that her uncles shows as he helps Rose through t he hard times.
Review by Ruth Porter, Granite District Library Support
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Rain Reign
Written by Ann M. Martin
Feiwel and Friends
226 pages
Release Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN: 9780312643003 (hardcover)

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6 thoughts on “Rain Reign”

  1. As someone who read every single Baby Sitters Club book, it makes me happy to hear that Ann Martin is still writing beautifully complex characters! Glad to see that both of you enjoyed the book, I feel like this book is gaining some momentum for the ALA book awards in February…

  2. This is one of the next books on my to-read list. Always hope to be able to say that I read the Newbery winner before it was a Newbery winner, so I’m keeping my bases covered here.

  3. I enjoyed the book “Rain Reign”. Rose is an autistic fifth grader who makes lists of homonyms. And the homonyms show up often. Rose lives with her single father, but her uncle is the one who seems to have the patience for her. I think this book will win an award of some kind. It is a book of triumph and overcoming.

  4. I agree with you completely. I loved this book and so do my students. I really thought that it would be at least in the running for the Newbery.

  5. I read this book on the way to Logan last winter and fell in love with Ann M. Martin all over again! I recommend it to teachers and students often.

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