The Rapid Reader

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere is a middle grade graphic novel by Elise Gravel. Olga loves animals. She fully intends to be a zoologist when she grows up. One night, she discovers a creature near her house and determines that it's a new species. This is just the beginning of Olga and Meh's friendship. Sex: None. One character comments that they determined Meh to be female by "looking at her behind." Language: None. Just several instances of potty humor. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This book was definitely interesting. My two children saw me reading it and asked me to read it to them and they absolutely loved it. They thought it was hilarious! We read it in one 45 minute sitting. I think plenty of other kids will love Olga and Meh just as much as mine did!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Three Pennies is a middle grade fiction novel by Melanie Crowder. Marin has been in foster care since she was four. But even now, at the age of eleven, she still can't believe her mother left her and isn't coming back. Determined to find answers, Marin researches ways to find the woman who gave her up years ago. But then, Marin is placed in a foster home that seems as though it could become a permanent home. Will she be okay with life working out differently than she originally planned? Sex: None. Lucy, Marin's new foster mother, does mention that she was romantically involved with another woman.  Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is child abandonment in this novel and that may be a trigger for some kids. There's a frightening scene with a natural disaster. A death that occurred before the events of this novel is discussed. Final Note: I absolutely adored t...

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.

The Star Thief is a junior fantasy novel by Lindsey Becker. Honorine is an orphan and a maid for the Vidalia family. One night, she follows a mysterious girl with wings outside and finds herself swept away into the world of constellations. Stuck in the middle of a battle, Honorine struggles to decide who to trust and defend. Along the way, she discovers many new things about herself and her true potential. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several suspenseful fight scenes throughout and some frightening creatures near the end. Final Note: This is a great book for kids who enjoy fantasy. Honorine and her friend Francis are both strong and likeable characters. There's just enough action and adventure to keep it interesting.

Hello, Universe is a junior fiction novel by Erin Entrada Kelly. This book tells the story of four characters and how their lives weave together in the span of one day. First there's Virgil, extremely shy and kind. Then there's Valencia, strongly independent and also deaf. Next, there's Kaori, a self-proclaimed child psychic. And finally, Chet, a bully. When an incident between Chet and Virgil in the woods goes wrong, Valencia and Kaori find themselves working together to help. A wonderful story about friendship and speaking up for yourself. Sex: None. Language: Chet calls Virgil a "retard" on more than one occasion. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Virgil is trapped alone for a bit. Chet makes it a point to bully both Virgil and Valencia. Someone is bitten by a snake. Final Note: I read this book in almost one sitting. I loved it! Erin Entrada Kelly did a wonderful job incorporating very diverse characters and telling e...

Bless This Mouse is a junior fiction novel by Newbery Award winning author Lois Lowry. A rather large group of mice call St. Francis their home. Led by Mouse Mistress Hildegarde, their biggest fear is the Great X, also known as the exterminator. When some of the church mice are discovered, the Great X is called. Armed with bravery and quick wit, the church mice face their foe and hope to save their home Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The church mice fear for their lives. There are a few suspenseful situations, but nothing terrible. Final Note: This book is so cute! The mice are just as endearing as Despereaux from Kate DiCamillo's novel. The story is set in a Catholic church and it's the perfect atmosphere for this mouse colony. I think kids in early-mid elementary would really enjoy this book.

Gooney Bird Greene is a junior fiction series by Newbery Award winning author Lois Lowry. (Number the Stars and The Giver.) Gooney Bird Greene is full of ideas. She loves being a unique individual. This series is all about her adventures in second grade. Sex: None. Language: None. Mild potty humor like you would typically hear from second graders. Drug/Alcohol Use: A classmate remarks that his dad smokes. A wine glass is set out for a display but when a parent complains, it's removed. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This series is truly wonderful. It's like an early Junie B. Jones, but with more challenging vocabulary. Gooney Bird is quite smart and her teacher fosters her uniqueness. If you can get your daughters to pick these up, I don't think they'll put them down. ***There are a few other titles in this series, but these are the three I've read most recently.

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Fortune Falls is a junior fantasy novel by Jenny Goebel. It isn't confirmed yet, but Sadie is pretty sure she's an Unlucky. Anytime she's around, things seem to go wrong. Her thirteenth birthday and the Spring Luck Test are both quickly approaching and Sadie is a nervous wreck. If she fails the Luck Test, she'll be sent to a boarding school for unlucky children. Is there any chance that someone as unlucky as she may find some luck before the test? Sex: None. The characters are twelve and thirteen and while there's a few mentions of crushes, there's nothing serious. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Sadie lost her father the year before and blames herself. All of the unlucky characters are in a constant state of worry and anxiety. Sadie's little brother goes missing for a little while. There's a suspenseful scene involving a train. Final Note: A really cute ...

Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White is a junior nonfiction biography by Melissa Sweet about E.B. White, the famous children's author. It was on Publishers Weekly's list of top middle grade books for 2016. With the help of White's granddaughter, Martha, Melissa Sweet was able to put together the beautiful story of one of America's most beloved writers. The artwork and photographs are also astounding. Sex: None.The book does mention that E.B. White's wife was married to someone else when they met. She left her husband to be with him. Language: None. Alcohol/Drug Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Both E.B. White and his wife have passed away. Their deaths are of course mentioned in the book. Final Note: One of the best junior biographies I've ever read. Charlotte's Web is one of my all-time favorite books, so it was especially interesting to read about the farm White lived on and how he was inspired to write. If you haven't r...