The Rapid Reader

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! Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War is a nonfiction book by Mary Roach. Although it isn't technically a young adult book, it has been on several recommended reading lists for high school students. This book covers the science behind modern warfare: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sex: Sex is discussed in relation to war injuries. Language: Moderate. There are several instances of strong language. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several gory chapters and topics covered. This book is not for those with a weak stomach. Final Note: This book was not my cup of tea. But the author has a very unique and intriguing writing style and anyone who is interested in nonfiction war-related books will like this one. It is very graphic, but it is also quite humorous. I can say I learned a lot of new information.

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History is a YA nonfiction book by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, the authors of the New York Times bestseller George Washington's Secret Six . It tells the little known history of President Jefferson's confrontation with the pirates of Tripoli. These pirates kidnapped American ships and sailors. In response, Jefferson began developing what is now the United States Navy.  Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several war battles. There are a few deaths. There are also prisoners of war. Final Note: This was a very compelling nonfiction novel. I learned so much about Thomas Jefferson. I had never heard of the Tripoli pirates and this book kept my attention. This is a great read for history lovers!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler is a middle grade and YA nonfiction book by Newbery Award winning author, Russell Freedman. This is the story of the Scholls, the siblings who formed the White Rose, a resistance movement in Germany against the Nazi regime. They wrote and distributed leaflets throughout their country, defying the government and urging their fellow country people to do the same. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are descriptions of imprisonment and death. Final Note: Russell Freedman is truly a literary genius when it comes to nonfiction works for middle grade to high school readers. This book eloquently shared the story of the Scholl siblings. It was extremely informative and engaging and the pictures were just icing on the cake. Anyone who is interested in World War II history, whether they are a s...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink is a nonfiction middle grade novel by Tod Olson. In October 1942, a B-17 bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The survivors included one of America's greatest living war heroes on a secret mission. For days, they drifted along in the ocean, with nothing to eat or drink. Would they make it out alive?  Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The crash scene is pretty suspenseful. There is also a death. There are several mentions of war and the story itself is about survival and is a little intense. Final Note: This is a truly wonderful book for middle grade students interested in war history. It was captivating and easy to read. Although about different people, it remind me a lot of Unbroken. I highly recommend this book for male middle grade readers especially.