Everland by Wendy Spinale

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 Gwen, Bella, and Joanna are the only girls left and may be used to save the human race if they are captured.

Language: Mild.

Drug/Alcohol Use: Captain Hook drinks rum.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several people die. Captain Hook and his Mauraders are pretty violent. There are a couple of fight scenes. The death scenes are detailed but not too terribly graphic.

Final Note: One of my favorite things to read is retellings of Peter Pan. This was probably one of the most unique ones I've ever read! I loved the steampunk aspect. Wendy Spinale changed just enough to make it a new story, but still kept the characters I know and love. I can't wait to see what else happens in this series!

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My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

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

What is The Rapid Reader?

Hello fellow parents and friends! My name is Danielle. I had the idea for this blog a couple of years ago when I was working in my son's school library. It was a known fact that I was an avid reader of middle school and young adult literature and several parents would ask me about books before checking them out for their kids. (Or buying them at the book fair!) Because I read so much, I've never worried too much about what my kids might be reading. My oldest is only eight years old and anything he's read, I've read already! But what about parents who don't necessarily enjoy reading or have the time? I wanted to offer a resource that gave these parents the chance to make educated decisions about books their kids are reading. That's how this blog was born! Before we go any further, I want to point out that I am strongly opposed to book banning. I believe in freedom of speech and expression of art through literature. But I also feel strongly that kids should

The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish

The Ethan I Was Before is a middle grade fiction novel by Ali Standish. Ethan and Kacey were the best of friends. But when a terrible accident rips them apart, Ethan and his family pick up and move from Boston to a small town in Georgia. Now Ethan must figure out what life looks like moving forward. He meets Coralee and is enthralled by her marvelous stories. Can the two of them share secrets and give each other the friendship they both long for? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several suspenseful scenes. Death is a big part of the story line as well. Final Note: I loved this book! This is Ali Standish's first novel and she hit it out of the park. It was hauntingly beautiful. My heart ached for Ethan. I think readers grades 6-8 would really like this one.

The Rapid Reader

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