Cynthia Lord is an American author known for her children's and young adult literature. She gained recognition for her debut novel, Rules, which explores themes of friendship and acceptance through the eyes of a girl with a brother who has autism. The book received several awards and has been widely praised for its sensitive portrayal of family dynamics. In addition to Rules, Lord has written other popular books, including Touch Blue and Half a Chance. Her writing often focuses on the challenges and joys of growing up, making her stories relatable to young readers. Lord's work has contributed significantly to contemporary children's literature.