In The Usual Rules, Wendy is on the cusp of adolescence—as a thirteen-year-old, she's starting to change both physically and emotionally. The death of her mother only speeds up this process. Suddenly Wendy isn't just a kid anymore; she's a young woman focused on discovering herself and learning how to cope with some very serious adult issues, like the death of a loved one.
When Janet dies and Wendy moves to California, she has to deal with a huge amount of turmoil and change in her life—and Wendy rises to the occasion spectacularly. She grows up, blossoming into a young woman her mother would absolutely be proud of.
Questions About Coming of Age
- How does Wendy start to explore her sexuality over the course of the book?
- Do you think Wendy or Amelia grows up more throughout the book? Why? Turn to the text for evidence.
- How does Janet's death force both of her children to grow up? What similarities and differences do you notice between Louie and Wendy?
- Does Garrett become more mature by taking care of Wendy? If so, how? If not, how does this contribute to Wendy's growth?
Chew on This
Surviving the events of 9/11 and losing her mother forces Wendy to grow up a lot faster than she would otherwise—she can't help but see the world in a new, more uncertain light.
Without going to California, Wendy would not have grown up as much as she does over the course of the book.