The Rapid Reader

Purchase this book on Amazon here! If Birds Fly Back is a YA contemporary novel by Carlie Sorosiak. Ever since Linny's sister ran away, she has been obsessed by disappearances. She spends her time researching famous people who have gone missing. Sebastian, on the other hand, is more interested in scientific things. That's until he finds out the true identity of his father. Although they've never met, Linny and Sebastian are brought together when Alvaro Herrera reappears, after missing for several years. They both come to him seeking answers, but leave with more than they expect. Sex: There is sex in this book. It's not too graphic, but it's there. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: There is some underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a character that dies. Final Note: This book really fell flat for me. I wanted to like it, but it took me several days to get through it because it couldn't keep my interes...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! What to Say Next is a contemporary YA novel by Julie Buxbaum. Kit just doesn't feel like her regular self. It has been months since her dad died and everyone seems to think she should be "over" it, but she can't seem to move on. David doesn't have any friends. He never even sits with anyone at lunch, until the day Kit sits next to him. Kit's grief and David's social disorder lead to an unlikely friendship that neither of them saw coming.  Sex: It's been a few months since I actually ready this book, but I don't remember anything sexual. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Underage drinking on occasion.  Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Kit lost her father in a car accident. She constantly replays this and it's a topic of several discussions.  Final Note: I loved this book! I was really happy to read a book that had high school characters that aren't "typical." Dav...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! You Bring the Distant Near is a YA historical fiction novel by Mitali Perkins. This book spans three generations and tells the stories of five different girls. It starts with Ranee, who after moving to America is terrified that her daughters will lose their Indian culture. Her daughter Sonia is brilliant but outspoken, while her other daughter Tara focuses most of her attention on fitting in. As time passes, Sonia and Tara have daughters of their own who also struggle with finding their true identity. This novel beautifully weaves all of their stories together. Sex: None. There is some romance, but nothing graphic. There is one scene where an older man is interested in Tara and tries to come get her from her house, but nothing more than him banging on the door happens. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a death that greatly affects the characters. Final Note: This was a ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! When Dimple Met Rishi is a YA contemporary novel by Sandhya Menon. Dimple can't wait for summer. She has finally convinced her traditional Indian parents to let her pursue her dreams and attend a program for aspiring web developers. She won't have to listen to her mother constantly nag her about finding a nice, Indian husband. Rishi is also anxious for summer. He is attending the same summer program, but not to learn about web development. He's there to finally meet the woman his parents arranged for him to marry: Dimple. Sex: Dimple and Rishi's parents have very traditional views on sex before marriage. While Dimple and Rishi don't necessarily share those same views 100%, they want to be respectful of their parents, Rishi especially. While sex is discussed, there are no explicit scenes. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This book is much mo...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Fireworks is a YA contemporary novel by Katie Cotugno. Set in the 90's, best friend's Olivia and Dana are competing against one another to become part of a new singing group. Olivia has always been the talented one and this is her biggest dream. Dana, on the other hand, is just along for the ride. She sees this as an opportunity to get out of their small town before she's trapped there forever. Will this experience bring them closer? Or tear them apart?  Sex: This book has one particular pretty graphic scene. It was near the end of the book, so it caught me by surprise, but be forewarned! Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: Several instances of underage drinking and drug use. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: No physical violence, but some of the girls were verbally abusive. Final Note: I had high hopes for this book, but it really let me down. The only positive thing I can say is that Dana deci...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Romancing the Throne is a YA contemporary novel by Nadine Jolie Courtney. Charlotte is a social-climbing teenager at a posh boarding school. She's popular, has amazing friends, and now it seems like all of her dreams have come true: she's dating Prince Edward! When Charlotte's sister Libby transfers to her school, Charlotte can't wait to introduce her to her new boyfriend and all of her friends. But what happens when it seems like Edward and Libby have more in common than Edward and Charlotte? Sex: Sex is discussed. There are several physical scenes. Language: Mild to moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Several instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This book was supposedly based on Kate and Pippa, but I'm not sure if it's true. For me, this novel fell pretty flat. Charlotte was not a likeable character and I think I would have preferred the story be told fr...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Letters to the Lost is a YA contemporary novel by Brigid Kemmerer. Juliet has always written letters to her mother. Now that she's gone, Juliet leaves the letters on her mother's grave. Declan is working at the cemetery as part of his court-ordered community service. When he finds one of these letters, he can't help but write back. Juliet and Declan begin writing back and forth with no idea that they actually know each other. What will happen when they learn the truth? Sex:  Juliet finds some risque pictures of her mother on an old camera. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Minor underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Declan reacts violently to his stepdad sometimes and Juliet's mother's death is a topic of discussion. Final Note: I felt like this was a unique YA book! It had the romantic aspect, but it also was quite gloomy too. I gave it 4/5 stars on Goodreads!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! By Your Side is a YA contemporary novel by Kasie West. When Autumn runs back inside the library at closing time, she doesn't expect to be locked in for the entire weekend. But that's exactly what happens. To make matters worse, she's not alone. Dax Miller, a guy from her high school who is known as trouble, is also locked inside. Autumn fully expects her friends to realize she's missing, but as time passes, she realizes she's really stuck. As she and Dax slowly open up to each other, she finds that there's more to him than meets the eye.  Sex: None. It's discussed in passing but there are no actual sex scenes. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are some high school parties, but I don't remember alcohol ever being mentioned. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are some suspenseful scenes but nothing over the top. Final Note: This was a cute story. It was more than just a teenage...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Moxie is a YA fiction novel by Jennifer Mathieu. Viv lives in a small town in Texas. Her high school is home to a football team who can do no wrong - even when they do. Sick of the sexist dress codes and harassment in the hallways, Viv decides to secretly start a revolution. Hiding her "zines" in the girls' bathrooms, she hopes to bring girls together and encourage them to use their voice. Sex: There are no actual sex scenes, but sexual harassment, sexual comments, and sexual assault are all topics in this book. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are some instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are two different instances of sexual assault that are discussed, one in detail. Final Note: Viv was a great character. Knowing that there are many schools in our country that have the same issues as this one, I think it's important for females to know that they...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   I See London, I See France is a YA contemporary novel by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski. Sydney is spending four weeks of the summer traveling through Europe with her best friend Leslie. It's a nice break for Sydney, who has spent her entire life caring for her anxiety-ridden mother. But when Leslie's ex-boyfriend shows up with his handsome best friend, Sydney finds more than she was looking for. Sex: There should definitely be a mature rating on this book. Sex is talked about quite frequently and there are some parts that are graphic. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are scenes with both. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: Sorry Sarah Mlynowski, but I was NOT a fan of this book. There are many other books a lot like this one that are much more tastefully written.

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Antisocial is a YA contemporary novel by Jillian Blake. Anna has just been dumped by her boyfriend. While they were together, she completely cut off ties with all of her previous friends. Now, she's all alone but trying to make amends. Unfortunately, someone in school has discovered how to hack into everyone's phones and is slowly releasing anything and everything people have searched, texted, or posted. No one's secrets are safe. Things Anna said in private messages may destroy her friendships for good. Sex: There is one character in particular who frequently talks about things of a sexual nature. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are instances of underage drinking and steroid use. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are threats between characters.  Final Note: While this wasn't my favorite book, it still successfully showed that nothing you say online or on your phone is actuall...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Lucky Girl is a YA contemporary novel by Amanda Maciel. Rosie is beautiful and she knows it. But as she's gotten older, she's discovered that she wants to be known for more than just being the "pretty girl." When her best friend Maddie arrives home from a summer trip looking stunningly gorgeous, Rosie can't help but feel a little jealous. Not only that, Maddie is interested in a guy Rosie used to date. One night at a party, Rosie is sexually assaulted. The circumstances around this incident strain her friendships and make her feel like an outsider. Only Alex, a new guy in town, seems to truly see Rosie for who she really is. Will she ever be able to move past this? Sex: Sex is discussed on several occasions. Rosie is sexually assaulted. The scene is descriptive. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are scenes of underage drinking and drug use. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: One character su...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Fish in a Tree is a New York Times bestselling middle grade novel by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Ally is extremely smart. For most of her school career, she's been acting out in class to hide the fact that she can't read. But when she meets Mr. Daniels, he's able to see past her harsh exterior to the intelligent and creative individual underneath. Fish in a Tree is a heartwarming book about dyslexia and how great an impact teachers can make when they show that they truly care. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: I strongly believe that this book should be required reading for both teachers and students alike. Lynda Mullaly Hunt did a fantastic job showing what it's like to struggle with a learning disability and how teachers have the power to really make a difference in a student's life. 

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Everything That Makes You is a YA contemporary novel by Moriah McStay. Fiona, or Fi, Doyle's life could have gone two different ways. Fiona was in a terrible accident as a child, leaving one side of her face covered in scars. She loves to write songs but is too afraid to stand up and let anyone listen to them. What would her life be like if the accident had never happened? Then there's Fi. She has a flawless face and is the top lacrosse player in school, headed toward Northwestern. But one choice changes her future. Moriah McStay gives readers the answers to "what if?" How do our circumstances and choices truly determine our future? Sex: Nothing explicit. There is romance and kissing. Language: Mild to moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Some instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a death in this book. Fiona was also in an accident that burned her face when she was younger. ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Someday Birds is a middle grade fiction novel by Sally J. Pla. Charlie likes for everything to be predictable. He has a very specific way of doing things and he knows what he likes. But when his dad is sent across the country to be treated for a medical condition, Charlie and his siblings embark on a road trip that challenges everything he knows. Will he be able to go with the flow? And most of all, will he be able to find every bird on his dad's list? That's the only thing that will make him better, right? Sex: No sex, but Charlie often remarks on how "boy crazy" his sister is and she is often seen flirting with different boys. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are some discussions of death and war. There are also a few suspenseful scenes, but nothing too mature. Final Note: I loved this book! It's on my Newbery prediction list. Middle grade lite...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Grit is a YA contemporary thriller by Gillian French. Darcy spends her summer raking berries with her sister Mags and their cousin Nell. She works hard at her job as a distraction, and she needs a lot of distracting. A local girl has been missing for a year and Darcy and Nell are hiding a secret of their own. On top of all that, Shea, the boy she went too far with on the Fourth of July, won't leave her alone. Will Darcy make it through the summer with no new secrets, or will the ones she already keeps come spilling out? Sex: Sex is big theme in this book, but there aren't any explicit details. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Underage drinking and drug use. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: It's suspected that a girl is dead. There are several instances of physical abuse and fist fights.  Final Note: I don't read a lot of thrillers, but this one was pretty good. It was a little predictable, but no...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Gem and Dixie is a YA contemporary fiction novel by Sara Zarr. Gem and Dixie have always been the best of friends. That's what sisters are for, right? But the older they get, the further Dixie seems to drift away from Gem. Troubled by the fact that her father has left them and their mother doesn't make their welfare a priority, Gem struggles with day to day life and finds a confidant in the school counselor. Dixie, on the other hand, seems to be unaffected by it all. When their father shows up again out of nowhere, the two sisters are thrust back together. Will this fix their relationship? Or will they find themselves further apart? Sex: No sex scenes. Gem remarks that her dad messed around on her mom frequently.  Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Underage drinking and smoking. Gem and Dixie's parents are drug abusers.  Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is some verbal abuse. Final Note: My heart ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Deacon Locke Went to Prom is a YA contemporary fiction novel by Brian Katcher. It's Deacon's senior year and everyone is gearing up for the prom. But Deacon feels much too awkward to ask anyone. While confiding his woes to his best friend Jean, his grandmother, Deacon comes up with a brilliant plan: he'll ask her to prom! Jean missed out on her own prom when Deacon's grandfather was shipped out to Vietnam. Unbeknownst to Deacon, his date selection will lead to quite a bit of attention. And when he meets Soraya, he wonders if he made the right choice.  Sex: None. There's some kissing, but no sex scenes. Language: Moderate.  Drug/Alcohol Use: A few instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: A few fistfights. Final Note: This was a cute book. I especially liked it because it was set in Fayetteville, Arkansas, so there were some familiar things mentioned. I think the concept was ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! It's Kind of a Funny Story is a YA fiction novel by Ned Vizzini. It was selected by the ALA as a Best Book for Young Adults in 2007 and was named one of the 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels by NPR. Ned Vizzini penned this novel after a 5 day stay in the adult psychiatric ward at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. This book was turned into a movie in 2010. Craig is overwhelmed with his desire to succeed. After successfully studying his way into the top high school around, he suddenly finds himself unable to eat or sleep. Struggling with the pressure he feels, Craig begins to contemplate suicide. Instead, he calls a suicide hotline and ends up checking himself into psychiatric care for five days. This book is about those five days. Sex: There are some sexually explicit conversations and scenes in this book. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: Craig and his friends often drink and smoke marijuana. They are 15 years old. Violence/Gore/...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Looking for Alaska is a New York Times' Bestselling YA novel by John Green. It also won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2006. Although this book was published in 2005, it continues to be extremely popular and is often on required reading lists for high school students. There's a rumor floating around that it may become a movie sometime in the near future as well. Miles leaves his home in Florida to attend a boarding school in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, he develops close friendships with his roommate, "The Colonel", and a girl down the hall named Alaska. Throughout the year, they spend their time sneaking around and playing pranks on the "rich" kids. When tragedy strikes, Miles is determined to find answers and figure out how to move forward. Sex: This book is extremely sexually explicit. There are several graphic conversations and one scene in particular that is very detailed. Language: High. Drug/Alco...