What is It About Alison? For one thing, she has rules: When stealing a rowboat, ALWAYS check that the oars are the same length, so you don't go in circles. In reference to your best friend's crush, KEEP your feelings to yourself. NEVER use your locker if that's where you were standing when told the very worst news of all. But rules—like hearts—are meant to be broken. From Catherine Clark, author of Frozen Rodeo, comes a profound story of friendship, love, and loss. Alison tries to deal with the pain of her mother's death by sticking to rules until charming Patrick moves to town, and then she learns that no matter what, life still happens to you.