The Rapid Reader

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! The latest novel by the bestselling author of Divergent , Carve the Mark is a YA fantasy book by Veronica Roth. Cyra lives in a universe where everyone is connected by the current. Her brother is a ruthless leader and Cyra is forced to use her current gift however he deems fit. Akos comes from a different part of the galaxy. Born into a family of prophets, he is later kidnapped along with his brother and whisked away to the land of Shotet, where Cyra resides. Although they are supposed to be enemies, Cyra and Akos are able to form an unlikely friendship. Will their bond be strong enough to face Cyra's brother and rescue Akos' brother as well?  Sex: It is alluded to, but there are no graphic scenes. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are some drugs used, but they are fictionalized and particular to this series. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are many fights and deaths in this book. Final Note: I w

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Rooting for Rafael Rosales is a middle grade fiction novel by Kurtis Scaletta. Told by two different perspectives in two different time periods, this is the story of Rafael and Maya. Rafael has big dreams about playing baseball in the Major Leagues in America. As he gets older, his path crosses with Maya, a young girl living in Minnesota who has decided to root for Rafael, despite the fact that she doesn't even like sports all that much. Both Rafael and Maya learn many lessons about life and how they see the world. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This was a very cute book! I think both middle grade boys and girls will enjoy it. Because it's told from two different perspectives, readers will get the chance to see different points of view. 

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Midnight at the Electric is a YA novel by New York Times' bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson. This book is split into three different time periods. 2065, 1934, and 1919. Told in alternating perspectives and through letters, Midnight at the Electric is a mix of historical and science fiction. Adri, living in 2065, is one of the lucky few Colonists chosen to live on Mars. While living with a distant family member she previously didn't know existed, Adri comes across some old letters that take her through stories in the past: Catherine, who lived in Kansas during the Dust Bowl and Lenore, who lived through the First World War in England.  Sex: Sex is mentioned on a couple of occasions, but it's never described in a lot of detail. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few instances of drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several suspenseful scenes and deaths. Final Note: This was such a uniqu

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!   Towers Falling is a middle grade historical fiction novel by award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. Deja has lived in New York City her entire life, but by the fifth grade, she still doesn't know anything about the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center that occurred fifteen years before. As her class begins to learn more about this history, Deja finds herself asking more and more questions, and for some reason, this seems to upset her parents. Will Deja ever find the answers she's looking for? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Deaths are mentioned. This book talks frequently about September 11th, how people died, and how people who survived are coping. Final Note: There aren't too many middle grade books out there about this topic. I was in middle school myself when September 11th occurred and I think Jewell Parker Rhodes did a fantastic j

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth is a middle grade science fiction novel by Frank Cottrell Bryce. Prez has just come to live with the Blythes when Sputnik, claiming to be his relative, but who is really from outer space, arrives at the door. Everyone besides Prez sees Sputnik as a dog. Soon, adventure and chaos ensue as Sputnik and Prez begin writing Ten Things Worth Doing on Earth, a book to keep Earth from being destroyed.  Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Lots of adventure and a little suspense, but nothing too scary. Final Note: This was a wonderful science fiction novel for middle grade readers! Prez and Sputnik are characters unlike anything I've read before. Both boys and girls will enjoy this story!