Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Eliza and Her Monsters is a YA fiction novel by Francesca Zappia. Eliza is the creator of a web comic called Monstrous Sea. Monstrous Sea has a huge following and the fans know everything there is to know about it: except who the creator is. Eliza prefers to be completely anonymous. One day at school she meets Wallace, a huge fan of Monstrous Sea. They quickly become close, but Eliza holds on to her secret. When she is accidentally exposed, Eliza isn't sure how to move forward. Her life is no longer a secret. What will Wallace think?

Sex: There are no sex scenes, but Eliza's parents make a doctor's appointment for birth control when they find out she's hanging out with a boy. Eliza, as the narrator, often describes very vividly how she feels physically.

Language: Moderate. There isn't a lot, but it's strong when used.

Drug/Alcohol Use: None.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Suicide is discussed. A past death comes up in several conversations. Eliza struggles with anxiety.

Final Note: I loved this book! It was featured in the May OwlCrate and I've been waiting to read it. I felt like the author did a great job portraying teenage anxiety and how people feel like they're better able to relate and communicate behind screens instead of face to face. I think it will really speak to the current generation.

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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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