The Rapid Reader

Up From the Sea is a YA historical fiction novel written in verse by Leza Lowitz. Kai was sitting in class when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck his coastal town in Japan. Not long after the earthquake, a huge tsunami swept over the town, taking many homes and lives with it. This is Kai's story, leading up to the earthquake and the months after. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The earthquake and tsunami scenes are pretty suspenseful. There are several deaths. Final Note: This was a quick read, but not an easy one. Leza Lowitz was living in Tokyo when the March 11 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. She did a fabulous job telling this story from the point of view of someone who lived it.

Flawed and Perfect are the two books in a YA dystopian duology by Cecelia Ahern. Celestine North has a wonderful life. Her parents have the best jobs, she's extremely well-liked, and she's dating the popular Art Crevan. In a society where anyone who makes a mistake is considered Flawed, Celestine seems like perfection. But when she makes an instinctive decision that breaks the rules, Celestine is faced with life-changing consequences. Sex: Celestine is intimate in the second novel. It's not graphic, but readers will know it happened. Also, the Flawed are forced into immodest attire as part of a punishment in one later scene. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: These are very suspenseful books. People who are Flawed are branded with an 'F' on their body. The location of the brand depends on the flaw. Several characters must go into hiding and several people are abused and harmed. Final Note: I loved this ser...

Hello, Universe is a junior fiction novel by Erin Entrada Kelly. This book tells the story of four characters and how their lives weave together in the span of one day. First there's Virgil, extremely shy and kind. Then there's Valencia, strongly independent and also deaf. Next, there's Kaori, a self-proclaimed child psychic. And finally, Chet, a bully. When an incident between Chet and Virgil in the woods goes wrong, Valencia and Kaori find themselves working together to help. A wonderful story about friendship and speaking up for yourself. Sex: None. Language: Chet calls Virgil a "retard" on more than one occasion. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Virgil is trapped alone for a bit. Chet makes it a point to bully both Virgil and Valencia. Someone is bitten by a snake. Final Note: I read this book in almost one sitting. I loved it! Erin Entrada Kelly did a wonderful job incorporating very diverse characters and telling e...

Yours Truly is a middle grade fiction novel by Heather Vogel Frederick. It is the second book in the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series. Spring is finally coming to Pumpkin Falls, and with it, the annual maple festival. When it seems as though someone is stealing sap from local farms, the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes come together to solve the mystery. But it turns out there's more than one mystery to solve. Sex: None. Truly is kissed on her birthday and she and her cousin discuss crushes on boys. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. There's a suspenseful scene where a character goes missing. Final Note: Heather Vogel Frederick has done it again! This series is just lovely. Perfect especially for middle school girls, Truly is a very relatable character. I especially loved how Frederick pulled in a character from her Mother Daughter Book Club series. There's also a historical aspect, bringing in some Civil War history and...

Worlds of Ink and Shadow is a YA fiction novel by Lena Coakley. The Bronte siblings are extremely close. They spend their free time writing stories and exploring worlds of their own making. But when Branwell and Charlotte get in too deep, the siblings must find a way to stop what they’ve started and save one another from the madness that seems to wait. Sex: None. Alexander Rogue and Zamorna are both considered womanizers, but it never goes into detail. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: Branwell gets drunk in one scene. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few deaths and scenes of violence. There is also quite a bit of suspense. Final Note: This is a very unique imagining of the life of Branwell,   Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte. While most of it is fantastical, there are some historically accurate aspects. I thought Lena Coakley did a wonderful job spinning this tale.

Anastasia Again! Is a middle grade fiction novel by Newbery Award winning author Lois Lowry. It is the second book in the Anastasia Krupnik series. Twelve-year-old Anastasia is not happy that her family is moving to the suburbs. She’s convinced that everyone there is strange and that she’ll never fit in or find friends. But her new home is a pleasant surprise. Maybe she’ll like the suburbs more than she thought. Sex: Sex isn’t described in detail, but Anastasia mentions that maybe the book she’s writing “needs an explicit sex scene.” (It’s mentioned in a humorous way – like Anastasia doesn’t know what that actually means.) Anastasia explains to her brother what a flasher is, leading to a funny scene near the end of the book. One of Anastasia’s male friends from school finds a Playboy magazine on the ground and puts it in the briefcase he carries around. (She mentions this disdainfully.) Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Anastasia often remarks that her dad is drinking a ...

A Madness So Discreet is a YA historical suspense novel by Mindy McGinnis. When it's obvious that Grace is with child, her family places her in an insane asylum to wait out the birth. Not insane, but definitely damaged, Grace becomes mute. When Grace loses her calm and lashes out, she's banished to the cellar. While there, she's discovered by a doctor who decides to rescue her and use her as an assistant. Moved to a different asylum, Grace is able to find friendship and family. While assisting the doctor, she learns that the line between madness and sanity is not as clear as she once believed. Sex: There are several rape victims in this book. Nothing is told in detail. A few characters are prostitutes. One character is sick and has been institutionalized because of a sexually transmitted disease. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Minor drinking and the use of ether by a criminal. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several deaths. Grace and the doct...

Children of Exile is a middle grade fiction novel by New York Times' bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix. The first in a series, Children of Exile tells the story of twelve-year-old Rosi. Raised by adults called "Freds," Rosi, her brother, and all of the other children in their town, were taken from their birth parents. Now, the Freds say that all of the children must go home. With no explanation, Rosi and all of the children are loaded onto a plane and sent on their way. But home isn't anything like what Rosi expected. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: War plays a big part in this series. Rosi is beaten in one scene. There are several suspenseful moments. Final Note: Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of my favorite children's authors. The Shadow Children series is one of my favorites of all time. I felt like this series could have been good, but it's very hard to follow. Also, the twi...

Bless This Mouse is a junior fiction novel by Newbery Award winning author Lois Lowry. A rather large group of mice call St. Francis their home. Led by Mouse Mistress Hildegarde, their biggest fear is the Great X, also known as the exterminator. When some of the church mice are discovered, the Great X is called. Armed with bravery and quick wit, the church mice face their foe and hope to save their home Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The church mice fear for their lives. There are a few suspenseful situations, but nothing terrible. Final Note: This book is so cute! The mice are just as endearing as Despereaux from Kate DiCamillo's novel. The story is set in a Catholic church and it's the perfect atmosphere for this mouse colony. I think kids in early-mid elementary would really enjoy this book.

The Sweetest Sound is a junior fiction novel by Sherri Winston. Cadence Jolly is as shy as they come. Born with a beautiful voice, no one knows about her talent because she's too shy to share it. When a secret recording of her singing is accidentally released and goes viral, Cadence must make a decision. Should she lie to the ones she loves or finally come out of her shell? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Cadence's mom left their family a few years before. She struggles with feelings of sadness and anger because of this. Final Note: A really cute junior fiction novel! I felt like Sherri Winston did a great job of addressing how it feels for a young girl to feel abandoned by her mother. I also really loved how Cadence handled peer pressure from her friends and how the community stepped up to take care of Cadence's family.

The Elite and The One are YA fiction novels by Kiera Cass. Books two and three in the Selection Series, The Elite and The One continue the story of America and her fight for Prince Maxon's heart. Sex: There are no explicit scenes, but there are a few moments of intimacy between characters in both books. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several deaths over the course of the two books. The rebels often attack and those scenes are suspenseful. Final Note: I'm still really enjoying this series! I have a couple of books left to finish, but so far I've been pleased. These books are definitely for older teenagers, but it shows the romantic aspects without being too terribly steamy or detailed. The story line is very intriguing as well.

The Shadow Queen is a YA fantasy novel by C.J. Redwine. A retelling of Snow White, this novel tells the story of Lorelai, the rightful princess of Ravenspire, who is on the run from the wicked queen, Irina. After years of learning how to manage her magic, Lorelai plans to confront Irina and take back her throne. Sex: None. When Lorelai and Eldr share thoughts, they sometimes think flirtatious things about one another. Irina has a lover, but there are no mature scenes. Language: None that I recall. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several deaths. Lots of fight scenes and violence. Some people have their hearts ripped out, similar to the television show Once Upon a Time. Final Note: Both Lorelai and Irina have magical abilities. Nothing is terribly dark, but Irina forces her magic on the land and uses it for power, while Lorelai always asks permission and uses her power for good. I loved this retelling of Snow White. Snow White isn't my fav...

Gooney Bird Greene is a junior fiction series by Newbery Award winning author Lois Lowry. (Number the Stars and The Giver.) Gooney Bird Greene is full of ideas. She loves being a unique individual. This series is all about her adventures in second grade. Sex: None. Language: None. Mild potty humor like you would typically hear from second graders. Drug/Alcohol Use: A classmate remarks that his dad smokes. A wine glass is set out for a display but when a parent complains, it's removed. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This series is truly wonderful. It's like an early Junie B. Jones, but with more challenging vocabulary. Gooney Bird is quite smart and her teacher fosters her uniqueness. If you can get your daughters to pick these up, I don't think they'll put them down. ***There are a few other titles in this series, but these are the three I've read most recently.

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook is a middle grade fiction novel by Leslie Connor. Eleven-year-old Perry has spent his entire life in prison. Not because he committed a crime, but because his mother is a resident on Cell Block C. When someone discovers that Perry has been living in the Blue River Correctional Facility, he is taken from the only home he has ever known and placed into foster care. Now Perry will stop at nothing to be reunited with his mother again. Sex: None. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few of the residents have been incarcerated for drug-related charges. There are mentions of drinking surrounding Perry's mother's case. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The death of Perry's grandparents is mentioned. The story of the accidental death of a young teenage boy is shared with Perry. Final Note: I couldn't put this book down! Perry is such a lovable character. Not only is Perry amazing, ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Stay! Keeper's Story is a middle grade fiction novel by Newbery Award winning author Lois Lowry. Keeper has had many names. As he looks back over his life, he shares his story with the reader. From birth to present time, Keeper has experienced loss, fame, and friendship. Sex: None. Keeper mentions seeing his mom "flirt" with a male dog. Language: Pal refers to his mother as "a fine bitch." It's not used as a curse word, but may be something parents want to know about ahead of time. Drug/Alcohol Use: Jack drinks beer. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: A couple of dog fights. Keeper hears that his sister may be "put to sleep," but he doesn't understand what that means. One of Keeper's companions dies. Final Note: This book was published in the late 90's, but I love Lois Lowry and wanted to read some of her lesser known books. This was a quick read and very enjoyable! It reminded m...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Everland is a YA fiction novel by Wendy Spinale. It's the first book in the Everland series. London has been destroyed by a group of Germans called the Mauraders. After a biological warfare plant was bombed, a deadly virus was released, killing nearly all of the adults and leaving most children orphaned and sick. The leader of the Mauraders, Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer, also known as Captain Hook, is on the hunt for a cure. Meanwhile, Gwen Darling meets a boy named Pete, the leader of an underground city of Lost Boys. When it becomes apparent that Gwen is the only person truly immune to the virus, Captain Hook makes it his personal mission to find her. At the same time, Gwen, with the help of Pete, Bella, and several other Lost Boys, is on her way to Everland to rescue her sister, Joanna. Sex: None. There is obviously romantic feelings between Pete and Gwen. Also, Lily is very flirtatious with the Lost Boys. Pete mentions that Gw...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Journey to an 800 Number is a junior fiction novel by the late E.L. Konigsburg. E.L. Konigsburg was a Newbery Award winning author. This particular book is lesser known and was published in 1982, but it was republished with a new cover about ten years ago. Maxmillian (also known as Bo) is spending the summer traveling with his father while his mother is on her honeymoon with her new, rich husband. Bo's father, Woody, travels around the country with his camel, Ahmed. On their journey, Bo meets many interesting people and learns that having class isn't just about having money. Sex: Bo's father has "sleepovers" with a female friend during one of their stops. Bo's godmother is a singer in a Vegas show that features topless dancers. Language: Moderate. I say moderate not because of the frequency, but because when the language is used, it's pretty strong. Drug/Alcohol Use: Bo tries a beer from his father's f...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Fortune Falls is a junior fantasy novel by Jenny Goebel. It isn't confirmed yet, but Sadie is pretty sure she's an Unlucky. Anytime she's around, things seem to go wrong. Her thirteenth birthday and the Spring Luck Test are both quickly approaching and Sadie is a nervous wreck. If she fails the Luck Test, she'll be sent to a boarding school for unlucky children. Is there any chance that someone as unlucky as she may find some luck before the test? Sex: None. The characters are twelve and thirteen and while there's a few mentions of crushes, there's nothing serious. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Sadie lost her father the year before and blames herself. All of the unlucky characters are in a constant state of worry and anxiety. Sadie's little brother goes missing for a little while. There's a suspenseful scene involving a train. Final Note: A really cute ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Three Dark Crowns is a YA fiction New York Times' Bestselling novel by Kendare Blake. On the island of Fennbirn, sets of triplets are born every generation. Each sister has her own gift: a poisoner, an elemental, and a naturalist. Raised separately since the age of six, the sisters develop their gifts in preparation for their sixteenth birthday. One of them will be crowned queen: after she kills the others. Sex: There are a couple of sex scenes but they aren't graphic or very detailed. The biggest thing is that sex is discussed very flippantly. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None, besides a sleeping powder. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Death is a big part of this book. In order for a queen to be crowned, the other two queens must die. Several people are killed, wounded, or maimed. There's a lot of suspense. Final Note: I loved this book! It was such a unique fantasy novel. Although a little dark, there was l...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   The Wolf's Boy is a junior fiction novel by Susan Williams Beckhorn. Kai had been cursed since birth. Born with a crooked leg, his family thought he wouldn't live and left him in the woods. But a mother wolf took Kai as her own and nursed him back to health. Kai's mother returned for him and brought him back to live with his people, but later in life, Kai discovered one of the mother wolf's offspring in trouble. He adopted this young wolf and named it Uff and together they formed a family of their own. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: A couple of different suspenseful scenes between the people and the animals they are hunting. A mother and child are ripped from their hut by a wild cat and killed. Kai comes face to face with a bear. A few instances of bullying. Final Note: I think this book would appeal to young male readers. Kai is seen as an outcast within his...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Dumplin' is a YA fiction novel by Julie Murphy. Will is perfectly happy with her life. She loves her best friend, she loves Dolly Parton, and she loves herself, even if other people call her fat. Will's mother is the person in charge of the local beauty pageant and Will has never considered entering. Until she meets a boy who makes her question herself, she begins fighting more frequently with her mom, and she has a falling out with her best friend Ellen. Maybe she isn't so sure about herself after all. But should that stop her from doing things she so desperately wants to do? Sex: Will and Ellen talk about sex a lot. Their discussions don't usually get too graphic, but they talk about it pretty frequently. Also, Will and a few of her friends visit a drag show on accident. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few scenes of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Will is mourning the loss of her Aunt ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Piecing Me Together is a YA fiction novel by Renee Watson. Jade lives in a poor neighborhood in Portland. After being awarded an academic scholarship, she now attends a private school across town. When she's chosen for a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls called Women to Women, she isn't quite sure how to feel. Her mentor, Maxine, doesn't seem to understand her. What, besides a college scholarship, could this program offer her? And what can she offer in return? Sex: None. Relationships are only mentioned in passing and not usually favorably. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few adults drink. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Jade is strongly disturbed by a local police brutality case involving a young black girl around her age. Final Note: I loved this book! I think I appreciated it even more since I live near Portland and recognized some of the things Jade talked about. I felt like the author made ...

  Purchase this book on Amazon here! Girl in Pieces is a YA fiction novel by Kathleen Glasgow. Charlotte Davis has been through a lot. After her father's death, and the near death of Charlie's best friend, Charlie and her mother had a falling out that resulted in her living on the streets. After barely surviving many attempted attacks, Charlie tries to take her own life. Instead, she is rescued and left at an institution. After recovering for some time, and trying to learn how to deal with her pain in healthier ways than self-harm, Charlie finds herself in Arizona. Sex: High. It's discussed between characters, Charlie lived in a sex house for a brief period and although she didn't participate, she refers back to it in her memories quite often. Charlie mentions in passing her sexual encounters with previous people and in more detail with the guy she is seeing during the book. There is also another graphic scene when she catches her love interest with someone else...

  Purchase this book on Amazon here! American Street is a YA fiction novel by Ibi Zoboi. Fabiola Toussaint and her mother are returning to America from Haiti to live with her aunt and cousins. But when Fabiola's mother is detained and unable to enter the country, Fabiola must journey to Detroit alone. Now it's her job to fight not only for her mother, but for her family, and for herself. Sex: A high level of sexual content. Not so much in actual sex scenes, as just in discussions between characters. Language: High. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are several drug dealers in this book. One of the main story lines surrounds a drug deal gone wrong. There is also a lot of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Fabiola's cousin has an abusive boyfriend. There are several violent scenes involving firearms. There are also a few fistfights. Finally, there are two deaths during the book and a couple of deaths that happened before the story. Final Note: Thi...

  Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Sun is Also a Star is YA fiction novel by New York Times bestselling author Nicola Yoon. It was an Amazon Best Book of 2016 and also a Goodreads Best YA Book of 2016 nominee. For a full list of awards, check Amazon! Natasha is on a mission. Her family's deportation back to Jamaica looms over her head and she's determined to stop it. And then she meets Daniel, a cute boy on the streets of NYC. Daniel has always been the son his parents want him to be. Nothing has ever made him want to be anything different, until he meets Natasha. Told over the course of a day, from both Natasha and Daniel's perspectives, The Sun is Also a Star is a modern romance, but not the typical story you'd read. Sex: Several heavy make-out sessions. Affairs are mentioned. Language: Mild to moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Minor underage drinking. Natasha's father was arrested for drinking and driving, and that's why they're being deport...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   The Wild Robot is a junior fiction New York Times bestselling novel by Peter Brown. It won a heap of awards last year, almost too many to list. It deserves every award it received! I adored this book and can't wait to read it to my kids. Roz is a robot who finds herself on a deserted island. She slowly learns how to interact with the animals who live there and how to become wild like everyone else. She also rescues a gosling and becomes his adoptive mother. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Even though Roz is just a robot, it's still sad when she gets broken. There's also a scene where other robots come to get Roz and take her off the island. There's a fight scene, but nothing too dramatic. Final Note: I loved this book! I just saw that there is a second book and I can't wait to read it. It's such a unique story and will be appealing to both boys and g...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   The Upside of Unrequited is a YA fiction novel by award-winning author Becky Albertalli. Molly has had dozens of crushes, but has never had a relationship. Her twin sister, Cassie, is her best friend and it has always seemed easiest to admire guys from afar. But when Cassie finds a girlfriend, Molly can't help but feel left out. Although Cassie's girlfriend has a cute friend who could become Molly's next crush, Molly can't seem to keep her mind off of her coworker, Reid. Will she be satisfied with another crush, or will she finally take the relationship plunge? Sex: Several sexual references and conversations. Molly and Cassie have two mothers. Cassie is gay and talks about her "hook-ups." Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: Several instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death:  None. Final Note: A cute romantic story that lots of teenage girls can probably relate to. The ...