The Rapid Reader

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! Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team is a nonfiction book by Steve Sheinkin. Most people have never even heard of the Carlisle Indian School. But in the early 1900s, the Carlisle Indian football team was the team to beat. When Pop Warner, the coach, and Jim Thorpe, arguably the world's greatest athlete, came together, history was made. This book tells the story of one of America's least-known, but most impressive, football teams of all time.  Sex: None. Language: Pop Warner often cursed at his players, but the words are "bleeped" out in the book. Drug/Alcohol Use: Several instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several football related deaths are mentioned. Also, when football first became a sport, it was incredibly more violent and was almost banned entirely. This book describes what those days were like in detail. There are also several fistfight...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook is a junior fiction novel by Iva-Marie Palmer. Gabby has always been the best pitcher on the team. But when she's forced to transfer schools in the middle of the season, she's afraid her winning streak is coming to an end. Can Gabby learn to work with new teammates and find where she truly belongs? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This was a really cute book, especially for younger girls who love sports. The illustrations were also a lot of fun! This story teaches a wonderful lesson on what it really means to be a winner.

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Kid Owner is a middle grade fiction novel by New York Times Bestselling Author Tim Green. When Ryan finds out that the dad he never knew has died, he isn't quite sure how to feel. But just a few days later, Ryan gets the shock of his life. Not only did his dad love football as much as he does, but he also owned the Dallas Cowboys and left his ownership of the team to Ryan. Will Ryan get to keep the team? Will it make a difference for his own middle school football career? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: Brief mention of beer. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Some bullying. Final Note: Another great book by Tim Green. Most boys wonder what it would be like to play for the NFL. What would it be like to actually own your own team? Tim Green's books for middle grade readers are really great reads for young boys. Even for kids who aren't into sports, these books are still enjoyable.

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Home Run is a junior fiction novel by New York Times bestselling author Tim Green. It's the fourth in his Baseball Great series. I didn't realize this book was part of a series until after I'd finished it. When his father takes a job as a college baseball coach in Florida, Josh hopes it will encourage his parents to get back together. Instead, Josh's mother ends up losing her house and her job. Josh decides to stay with his mom and enters a contest to try to win her a new home. All he has to do is hit 20 home runs during the season and then land a home run into a bathtub. Can he do it? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several sad scenes between Josh and his parents. Josh has two teammates who lost their father in the war. Josh's baseball coach can be a little scary and intimidating. There's a scene where Josh hears gunshots outside of his house ...

    Purchase this book on Amazon here! My Brother's Keeper is a YA fiction novel by best-selling author Patricia McCormick. Toby's life seems to be spiraling out of control. His father has left, his mom is wrapped up in dating a new man, and his older brother, Jake, is not acting like himself. Toby believes he's in charge of getting his family back on track. But when it seems like something serious is going on with Jake, Toby isn't sure how much help he can, or wants, to give. Sex: The opening chapters in the book are during Toby's sex education class. Some crude comments are made. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Jake is a drug addict. He openly admits to doing acid. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is one particularly suspenseful scene when Toby's younger brother goes missing. Toby and Jake get into a fistfight. Final Note: A real look at what it's like to have a family member struggling with addiction. Hopefully a book li...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   New Kid is a YA fiction novel by New York Times bestselling author Tim Green. Tommy Rust is the star of his baseball team. But before he's able to finish the season, his father shows up and tells him that it's time to leave town. Tommy has spent his entire life moving from place to place because of his dad's dangerous job. When he arrives in a new town, as Brock instead of Tommy, he meets a coach who encourages his talent and offers to train him. But what if Brock has to leave town unexpectedly again? Sex: None. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: The baseball coach has a drinking problem. Brock's classmate, Nagel, has a brother who consistently underage drinks. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several instances of fighting and bullying. Coach hits a kid with a baseball. Someone tries to kidnap Brock. Brock's father often loses his temper and carries a gun. Brock's mother was murdered when he was little. ...