The Rapid Reader

Purchase this book on Amazon here! What to Say Next is a contemporary YA novel by Julie Buxbaum. Kit just doesn't feel like her regular self. It has been months since her dad died and everyone seems to think she should be "over" it, but she can't seem to move on. David doesn't have any friends. He never even sits with anyone at lunch, until the day Kit sits next to him. Kit's grief and David's social disorder lead to an unlikely friendship that neither of them saw coming.  Sex: It's been a few months since I actually ready this book, but I don't remember anything sexual. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Underage drinking on occasion.  Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Kit lost her father in a car accident. She constantly replays this and it's a topic of several discussions.  Final Note: I loved this book! I was really happy to read a book that had high school characters that aren't "typical." Dav...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! You Bring the Distant Near is a YA historical fiction novel by Mitali Perkins. This book spans three generations and tells the stories of five different girls. It starts with Ranee, who after moving to America is terrified that her daughters will lose their Indian culture. Her daughter Sonia is brilliant but outspoken, while her other daughter Tara focuses most of her attention on fitting in. As time passes, Sonia and Tara have daughters of their own who also struggle with finding their true identity. This novel beautifully weaves all of their stories together. Sex: None. There is some romance, but nothing graphic. There is one scene where an older man is interested in Tara and tries to come get her from her house, but nothing more than him banging on the door happens. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a death that greatly affects the characters. Final Note: This was a ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   The Road to Ever After is a middle grade fiction novel by Moira Young. Davy David loves drawing pictures of angels. He's an orphan and too poor for pencil and paper, so he uses a broom to sweep his pictures into the dust. When the local minister, Reverend Fall, decides that he's had enough of Davy's art, he makes it his own personal mission to run Davy out of town. Luckily for Davy, he meets the elderly Miss Elizabeth Flint. She hires him to drive her to her childhood home, so that she can die on her own terms on Christmas Day. But there are more adventures on the open road than they expect. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: Miss Flint drinks a few times and lets Davy try a sip of something as well. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Miss Flint intends to kill herself. The local boys meanly destroy Davy's home. Death is a main topic. Final Note: This was an eerie, but interesting, book. It...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! When Dimple Met Rishi is a YA contemporary novel by Sandhya Menon. Dimple can't wait for summer. She has finally convinced her traditional Indian parents to let her pursue her dreams and attend a program for aspiring web developers. She won't have to listen to her mother constantly nag her about finding a nice, Indian husband. Rishi is also anxious for summer. He is attending the same summer program, but not to learn about web development. He's there to finally meet the woman his parents arranged for him to marry: Dimple. Sex: Dimple and Rishi's parents have very traditional views on sex before marriage. While Dimple and Rishi don't necessarily share those same views 100%, they want to be respectful of their parents, Rishi especially. While sex is discussed, there are no explicit scenes. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This book is much mo...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Orphan Island is a middle grade fantasy novel by Laurel Snyder. Nine children live on a perfect island. Everything is wonderful and nothing ever changes, except one day a year. On this day, a boat arrives, carrying a new young child. The children on the island take the new boy or girl in, and the oldest child on the island leaves in the boat, never to be seen again. Where does the boat go? Where does it come from? No one knows and no one seems to wonder, except Jinny. When it's Jinny's turn to leave, she decides she doesn't want to go. But will the island stay perfect if she doesn't follow the rules?  Sex: There is no sex, but a character starts her period and this is something parents need to be aware of in case they haven't had that discussion with their child. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few frightening scenes and a few instances where kids a...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Apprentice Witch is a middle grade fantasy novel by James Nicol. When Arianwyn flunks her witch's assessment, she's sent to the town of Lull as an apprentice. Arianwyn is worried that she'll never become a real witch, but when she arrives in Lull, she finds that there are plenty of things requiring her assistance. Along the way, she makes many friends, both human and magical. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few attacks and scary scenes. Arianwyn's mother died when she was young. Final Note: I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It was included in an Owlcrate Jr. box. I've been making my way through the Owlcrate Jr. books and this one did NOT disappoint! A wonderful fantasy book for middle grade readers, this novel also has great lessons regarding friendship and believing in yourself!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Refugee is a middle grade historical fiction novel by Alan Gratz. This book spans three time periods and covers the stories of three different 12 year old refugees and their families. Josef is escaping Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Isabel is fleeing Castro's Cuba in the 90s. Mahmoud is a Syrian refugee, running from civil war in 2015. Each chapter changes perspective, giving the reader a glimpse into the lives of refugees.  Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: This book is heavy. There are several deaths and every story is quite suspenseful.  Final Note: EVERYONE should read this book, not just middle grade and YA readers. It's so important to see what it's like to actually be a refugee and how we should be compassionate to anyone and everyone, giving help whenever possible. This book is extremely eye-opening and I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Moxie is a YA fiction novel by Jennifer Mathieu. Viv lives in a small town in Texas. Her high school is home to a football team who can do no wrong - even when they do. Sick of the sexist dress codes and harassment in the hallways, Viv decides to secretly start a revolution. Hiding her "zines" in the girls' bathrooms, she hopes to bring girls together and encourage them to use their voice. Sex: There are no actual sex scenes, but sexual harassment, sexual comments, and sexual assault are all topics in this book. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are some instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are two different instances of sexual assault that are discussed, one in detail. Final Note: Viv was a great character. Knowing that there are many schools in our country that have the same issues as this one, I think it's important for females to know that they...

  Purchase this book on Amazon here! The World's Greatest Detective is a middle grade mystery novel by Caroline Carlson. Toby Montrose lives on Detective's Row with his uncle. When a chance to enter a crime-solving contest comes up, Toby decides he must enter and prove that he can really be a detective. But Toby, and his new friend Ivy, get a little more than they bargained for! Sex: None. There are some comments about flirting, but nothing serious. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild wine drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are past deaths that are discussed and there is a murder case. There are a few suspenseful moments! Final Note: I really enjoyed this one! Growing up, I loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Encyclopedia Brown. This book was just as clever. It keeps readers guessing and is a story that will be entertaining for both boys and girls.

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! 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! 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! The Pearl Thief is a YA historical fiction novel by Elizabeth Wein. The prequel to Code Name Verity , this book gives readers a look into Julie's life. When she was fifteen years old, Julie spent her summer saying goodbye to her grandfather's estate. While there, Julie is attacked but cannot remember the circumstances surrounding the incident. A family employee is also missing and no one can find him. Julie makes it her mission to find out what really happened and to help the Scottish Traveller family she has befriended. Sex: There are no explicit scenes, but Julie explores her sexuality, with both an older man and a female friend. Both scenes just involve kissing, but the details are pretty sensual. A man is naked when searching in the water. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Some drinking and smoking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are suspected deaths and Julie is attacked. There are a couple of f...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Clayton Byrd Goes Underground is a middle grade fiction novel by Coretta Scott King Award winner Rita Williams-Garcia. After his Cool Papa dies, Clayton's mother forbids him from playing the harmonica his grandfather gave him. But Clayton can't stop. The blues are what connects him most to Cool Papa. Clayton runs away from home and his journey teaches him many things along the way. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Clayton has a few run-ins with a local gang on the subway. Clayton finds his grandfather after he has died. Final Note: I love Rita Williams-Garcia! This book was short, but it was an awesome read! Clayton is a character that many kids will be able to relate to. Clayton and his mother disagree, but I loved how they were eventually able to see things from the other's perspective.

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Me and Marvin Gardens is a middle grade fiction novel by Amy Sarig King. Obe Devlin's family has had their farm taken over by developers. The only thing Obe has left is the creek. He doesn't even have his best friend Tommy anymore.Tommy found new friends when the development kids moved in. One day, Obe spots a creature that is unlike anything he's ever seen or read about before. He names him Marvin Gardens and the creature becomes his best friend. But when something strange starts to happen, Obe must decide if he can share his secret. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is some bullying and fist fighting. Final Note: This book was super cute! I recently read Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere and this book was pretty similar, but with a deeper story line. I think middle school boys and girls will really enjoy this unique novel!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Midnight Without a Moon is a middle grade historical fiction novel by Linda Williams Jackson. Rose Lee Carter is a 13-year-old African-American girl living in 1950s Mississippi. Life is moving forward normally until Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African-American boy, is killed for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Now Rose must decide what is truly important: letting things stay the same or fighting for her rights.  Sex: There are mentions of unplanned teenage pregnancies. A character sneaks off to see a boy at night, but no details are told.  Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The death of Emmett Till is very emotional and disturbing. While less graphic than some other books, this novel still shares details.  Final Note: I truly believe this book is a Newbery contender. Upper middle grades and high school students will learn a lot from this story. Rose is a likeab...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Waiting for Normal is a middle grade fiction novel by Leslie Connor. It is a School Library Journal Best Book, an ALA Notable Children's Book, and the recipient of many other young literature awards. Addie has waited her entire life for normal. But she never knows what she's going to get when it comes to her mother. Her mom is either all in and fully present, or long gone and completely absent. Addie's mother is bipolar. Sex: No sex. Addie doesn't know who her father is, but she's close to her stepfather. Her mom is often out late for business dinners with men. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Addie is frequently neglected by her mother. There are a few intense scenes but it's nothing inappropriate for middle grade readers. Final Note: This book has been on my list for awhile and I just now got around to reading it. I'm glad I did! Again, I truly bel...