The Rapid Reader

Lucky Few is a YA novel by Kathryn Ormsbee. Stevie and her best friend Sanger are homeschooled students. Near the end of their junior year, they meet Stevie's new neighbor Max, who is determined to overcome his fear of death by faking it in 23 different ways. Sex: The characters joke around about sex a lot. It's mentioned that a girl in the homeschool co-op got pregnant and she never came back. Also, Sanger has two moms. The homeschool co-op has an issue with this, too. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few mentions of drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: One of the main story lines is that Max is faking his own death in 23 different ways. He was in a car accident when he was younger, and he was in a shop accident and lost two fingers in high school. Final Note: This was an interesting read. Kathryn Ormsbee's writing was quite beautiful and I loved the friendship between Stevie and Sanger. I also liked how the author pointed out t...

Full of Beans is a junior fiction novel by Jennifer L. Holm. Holm has won the Newbery Honor for three different books and while this one didn't take home an award, it still didn't disappoint! Sex: None. Language: None. But a lot of characters lie in this story. Drug/Alcohol Use: Beans helps a man in town secretly deliver liquor to local establishments. (This book is set in the 1930s during the Depression.) Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Beans grandmother has a stroke.  There's a fire in town that destroys a home. Beans dad can't seem to find a job and this leads Beans to make some questionable decisions in order to help his family. Final Note: It was very interesting to read about how Key West became a tourist destination. Although this book is fiction, Key West actually underwent a major transformation in the 30s. Although Beans talks about how much adults lie, and even lies himself, he still shows an excellent work ethic and desires to take c...

The Thing About Jellyfish is a middle grade fiction novel by Ali Benjamin. It is a New York Times Bestseller and a National Book Award Finalist! Sex: None. 11 and 12 year old girls start to notice that the opposite sex is "cute." Zu's older brother lives with his boyfriend. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Zu is dealing with the drowning of her former best friend. In flashbacks, she recalls instances of being bullied and alienated in school. Other Things to Mention: Zu starts her period. Final Note: I gave this book five stars on Goodreads! I couldn't put it down. Zu shares how it feels to be bullied and forgotten by your friends. She also shares how difficult it can be to experience death at a young age. The author turned her interest in jellyfish into a beautiful story.

An Elephant in the Garden is a junior fiction novel by Michael Morpurgo. A story within a story, Lizzie tells her nurse and her nurse's son, Karl, about her experiences in Dresden, Germany during World War 2. Inspired by the true story of an elephant rescued from a zoo and living in the zookeeper's garden, An Elephant in the Garden is a beautiful book. Sex: None. Lizzie is 16 years old and mentions that she thinks she's in love with a RAF pilot. There is a romantic story line, but it's not the main focus and it's very innocent. Language: Two mild curse words used by soldiers. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Lizzie's family lives in Dresden when it's bombed. The zoo plans to shoot all of the animals considered dangerous if a bombing occurs. Lizzie's family spends most of the book trying to hide from Russian soldiers and worrying if her father is alive. Final Note: What a wonderful book! It reminded me a lot...

My Lady Jane is a YA fiction novel by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Written in three different perspectives by three different authors, this romantic comedy tells readers what really (maybe) happened in history with Lady Jane Grey. This book was on Publishers Weekly's list of top YA books for 2016. (And it was well-deserved!) Sex: During the Edward and Gifford chapters, the boys often comment on the figures of women. People are under the impression that Gifford is a "ladies man." Two of the characters are in an arranged marriage and the book does mention in the last chapter that they "totally consummated." There are sexual innuendos but nothing graphic. Language: Extremely mild, especially for a YA book. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few mentions of drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a war and plenty of people are threatened with losing their heads, but since this book is a comedy, it's nothing graphic or seriou...

Astrotwins: Project Blastoff and Astrotwins: Project Rescue are junior fiction novels by Mark Kelly. Kelly is a former astronaut and he uses his experiences to write exciting space travel novels for kids. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. In the second book, Mark and Scott have to rescue a Russian cosmonaut. There are a few suspenseful moments but nothing scary. Final Note: This is an excellent series for boys, especially those who are interested in math, science, and space! There's plenty of adventure. The fact that the author is an actual astronaut really adds to the appeal!

Pax is a junior fiction novel by Sara Pennypacker. It was on Publishers Weekly's list of top middle grade fiction books for 2016. This is the story of a young boy and his pet fox. When they are separated, both journey to find each other again and grow in ways they never expected. Sex: None. Language: None. Alcohol/Drug Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a war going on and Peter's father is a soldier. A woman talks about how she killed someone when she fought in the war. There is animal death and injury and this will possibly affect the reader more greatly because the fox, Pax, is a main character in the story. Final Note: I'm still not sure how I feel about this book! The perspective changes from chapter to chapter. Peter tells half the story and his fox, Pax, tells the rest. Both Peter and Pax mature in different ways throughout the book, but the ending was a struggle for me. Overall, though, it was a good book!

Some Kind of Happiness is a junior fiction novel by Claire Legrand. It was on Publishers Weekly's list of top middle grade fiction books for 2016. This beautiful story is about an eleven year old girl with "blue" days. It's the first time I've read a junior fiction novel that deals with childhood anxiety and depression. Sex: None. Finley has a crush on one of the neighbor boys and they sometimes hold hands. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: Jack's father is drunk from time to time. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The kids find gravestones for a family beside an abandoned house. They died in a fire. The Bailey boys next door mention that their father can be scary when he's drinking. Finley's parents are going through a separation and divorce. Finley suffers from depression and anxiety but doesn't have a name for what's wrong until the end of the book. Finley's grandmother also has cancer but it's kept a secret from...

Vietnam: A History of the War is a YA nonfiction book by Russell Freedman. It was on Publishers Weekly's list of top YA books of 2016. Sex: Some mentions of rape in war. Language: Mild language in quotes. Alcohol/Drug Use: Opium use is mentioned in relation to the war. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: This book is a detailed history of the Vietnam War. It also includes lots of photographs, some that are graphic in nature. There was lots of death on both sides and the book talks through the war in detail. Final Note: I learned a lot personally reading this book. Because the Vietnam War was before my time, I didn't know much about it. Not only that, but this particular war isn't discussed much. Russell Freeman gives an unbiased, historically accurate look at the Vietnam War and I think it's a great book for teenagers who enjoy history.

The Warden's Daughter is a junior fiction novel by Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli. It was just published this year, but I'm optimistic about it being a Newbery contender for next year! Sex: None. Cammie notices that men look at her best friend like she's "much older than she actually is." Language: I don't remember any. If there was, it would have been very mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: The biggest thing is that the book is set in the 70's and everyone smokes. Cammie's best friend smokes some, Cammie lights up in front of the trustee that works in her house, and all of the inmates smoke outside in the yard. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Cammie is an angry girl. Her mother was killed when she was a baby. The story revolves around how she feels about being motherless. Cammie's father is a warden at the prison, so she lives at the prison with him. She has friendships with some of the inmates. There is a lot of talk about a famous m...

The First Last Day is a junior fiction novel by Dorian Cirrone. The story is about 11 year old Haleigh, a girl who makes a wish and is stuck reliving the same day over and over again. Can she restart time and still save the life of someone special to her? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: This book deals with the death of a family member. Final Note: A lovely junior fiction book! This book has both male and female lead characters so I think boys and girls alike would enjoy it. It has elements of mystery and a little bit of magic. It deals with death appropriately for the age intended. This was a random find at the library and was a good read!

Girl on a Plane is a YA historical fiction novel by Miriam Moss. Although this book is a work of fiction, the author was actually on a hijacked plane when she was 15 years old. Moss drew from her experiences to write this story. Sex: One of the girls on the plane is distraught and there are whispers that one of the Palestinian hijackers "touched her." Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Several people on the plane drink heavily throughout the experience. The book is set in the 70's, so there's also a lot of underage smoking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: A plane is hijacked and landed in the Jordanian desert. Explosives are attached to the airplane. While most of the hijackers are actually friendly, there is one particular woman who gets on the plane and tells everyone they are going to die. There are several frightening and disturbing scenes where it seems like no one is going to make it out alive. It's a very suspenseful book. Final Not...

Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White is a junior nonfiction biography by Melissa Sweet about E.B. White, the famous children's author. It was on Publishers Weekly's list of top middle grade books for 2016. With the help of White's granddaughter, Martha, Melissa Sweet was able to put together the beautiful story of one of America's most beloved writers. The artwork and photographs are also astounding. Sex: None.The book does mention that E.B. White's wife was married to someone else when they met. She left her husband to be with him. Language: None. Alcohol/Drug Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Both E.B. White and his wife have passed away. Their deaths are of course mentioned in the book. Final Note: One of the best junior biographies I've ever read. Charlotte's Web is one of my all-time favorite books, so it was especially interesting to read about the farm White lived on and how he was inspired to write. If you haven't r...

The Underground Railroad is an adult fiction novel by Colson Whitehead. It was Oprah Winfrey's book club selection for 2016 and also a National Book Award winner. I picked this book up to read after it was recommended by one of my favorite adult authors, Jodi Picoult. Sex: Women are raped. There is one explicit sex scene at the very end of the book. It caught me off guard. It's two or three lines, so a reader can easily skip over it. Language: Mild to moderate. Lots of racial slurs. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few mentions and scenes of drunkeness. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The violence is the kicker in this book. It's very detailed and extremely disturbing. Unfortunately, it's also historically accurate. There are many deaths and scenes of torture. The entire book is suspenseful. The main character spends the entire book trying to escape. Final Note: I personally had to read this book in spurts. The chapters tended to jump around and sometimes t...

Uprooted: The Japanese American Experience During World War II is a YA nonfiction book by Albert Marrin. It is on the Publishers Weekly list for top YA books of 2016. This book tells the history of Japanese and American relations and how Japanese Americans were uprooted from their homes during World War II. Sex: Nothing explicit. When talking about Japanese attacks and invasions on China, rape is mentioned. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: The history of opium and it's destruction on China is explained. A few mentions of alcohol use. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The whole premise behind this book is disturbing. There are some pretty vicious war scenes explained in detail. Since a lot of modern day students don't realize that Japanese Americans were placed in concentration camps in America, this book can be pretty heartbreaking. But, it shares history that needs to be known. Final Note: A great book that gives a lot of overall history. The pictures are ...

Legend, Prodigy, and Champion are books in the YA Legend series by Marie Lu. Dystopian novels set in the future, these books follow the stories of Day and June, one committed to the Republic and the other working against it.The chapters switch back and forth between perspectives. Sex: There is a sex scene in the final book. It's not incredibly detailed, but it's there. Day also mentions that he's "fooled around" with other girls before. Several kissing scenes. The biggest cause for concern is in the final book. Language: Mild to moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are some instances of drinking. It's not a big part of the story lines, though. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The books revolve around a war. It's similar in violence and gore to the Hunger Games series. People are infected with viruses, several people die, and there's lots of fighting. What you would expect from a YA dystopian novel, though. Final Note: I loved these bo...

What Was the Gold Rush? is a junior nonfiction book by Jean Holub. It tells how the California Gold Rush started and how it contributed to California's statehood. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: Some of the prospectors spent their money on "drink" and the book talks about some instances of drunkeness. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The book mentions in passing that some people died either on their way to California or while they were looking for gold. Final Note: Definitely an interesting adventure story, especially for boys! This book included actual pictures from the Gold Rush, too!

What Was the First Thanksgiving? is a junior nonfiction book by Joan Holub. This book gives an overview of the first Thanksgiving and how it came to be a national holiday. Sex: None. Language: None. Alcohol/Drug Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few descriptions of conflicts between the Native Americans and settlers. The book also mentions that lots of Native Americans died from disease brought over from Europe. Final Note: I love this series! The books are easy to read and understand and they give kids a glimpse into history to get them interested. They give just enough information, but not too much. If kids want to learn more, they can research deeper after reading!

Beetle Boy is a junior fiction novel by M.G. Leonard. When Darkus's father goes missing, he moves in with his uncle and begins to search for answers. With the help of his friends and a peculiar pet beetle, Darkus seeks to find his father and uncovers a few secrets along the way. Sex: None. A young girl asks Darkus, "Don't you love me? Don't you want to kiss me?" Language: Mild. Alcohol/Drug Use: The men next door get drunk on champagne. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Darkus's mother is no longer living. His dad is also missing throughout the book. Darkus's neighbors kidnap him briefly and talk about how to get rid of him. Someone is shot. Final Note: Such an interesting idea for a book! From what I understand, it's going to be a series. This book will be especially enjoyable to any insect-loving boys and girls. A fun read with lots of suspense, mystery, and adventure!

The Lie Tree is a YA novel by Frances Hardinge. It was on Publishers Weekly's list for top YA books of 2016 and also won the Costa Book of the Year for 2015. The Lie Tree follows the story of Faith, a girl whose father is a reverend and a naturalist. After he dies, Faith is convinced he was murdered and she sets out to find the truth. She soon uncovers more secrets than she anticipated. Sex: None. A couple of men come to try to court Faith's mother after her father dies. Language: Very mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Some men drink at a ratting event. One local woman is rumored to use alcohol as her medicine. The fruit from the lie tree causes visions. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Faith spends most of the book looking for her father's murderers. Several different people are attacked or injured throughout the book. The lie tree's fruit causes visions and they are sometimes scary. Final Note: I've never read a book like this before. Although it wa...

Ghost is a YA fiction novel by Jason Reynolds and a National Book Award finalist! Castle Cranshaw, otherwise known as Ghost, lives alone with his mom. Often in trouble at school, Ghost's life takes a different turn after finding a city track team. Sex: None. Language: None. Alcohol/Drug Use: A mention of beer. Two different fathers are described as "drunks." Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Ghost's dad is in jail because he tried to shoot Ghost and his mom. Ghost beats up a boy at school for making fun of him. A member of the track team shares about losing his mom. Ghost engages in some shoplifting. Final Note: Another great book for boys. This book really shows how important community members can be for kids who may not have strong male figures in their lives. Ghost is not only close to Coach, but also to a local shopkeeper in town. It also shows how sports can be a great outlet and how being on a team can help kids and teenagers feel like the...

Some Kind of Courage is a junior fiction novel by Dan Gemeinhart. After Joseph loses his entire family, he only has one thing left: his horse, Sarah. After she is sold out from under him, he embarks on a mission to get her back. Sex: None. Joseph and his friend Ah-Kee help deliver a baby, but it's not graphic at all. Language: Very mild. Alcohol/Drug Use: A few men drink. One is obviously drunk. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: All of Joseph's family has died. Joseph and Ah-Kee have an encounter with a grizzly bear. Joseph has to shoot a man in self-defense. Final Note: This is an awesome adventure book for boys! Anytime I come across a good book for boys, I like to share it. Joseph is a strong male character with good morals. He often considers what his mother and father would think, even though they're no longer alive. It's a great story!

The Distance to Home is a junior fiction novel by Jenn Bishop. It follows the story of Quinnen, a twelve year old girl who loves baseball. Each chapter switches from present time to the summer before, when Quinnen's sister Haley died. Sex: No sex, but there's a scene where Haley sneaks off with her boyfriend during Quinnen's baseball game and comes back with a "purplish bruise" on her neck. Quinnen doesn't know how to feel about her sister having a boyfriend. There's also a scene where her mom talks about taking her bra shopping. Language: None. Alcohol/Drug Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Quinnen's older sister died the year before. Most of the book is about the events leading up to her death and how Quinnen is dealing with it afterward. Final Note: A really good book for any young person who has lost someone close to them. It showed the relationship between sisters and how sometimes that relationship changes as pe...