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Into the Rapids
Sometimes even a girl who likes to rely only on herself needs to be brave enough to ask for help.
When a super-storm hits Addy's remote mountain town, knocking out the bridge and cutting her home off from the main road, she worries that she won’t be able to get to the survival camp she’s been looking forward to attending. The camp’s the place where her parents met, and where Addy plans to hone her skills and honor their legacy. But now there’s no power and it’s also like a light has been switched off in her mom, who’s been triggered by the raging river and memories of Addy’s dad dying in a similar storm. The two of them are feeling particularly stranded as they’ve never bothered to befriend any neighbors. But now Addy keeps running into her classmate Caleb on the hill above her house where they both go to get cell service. Caleb’s frantic about a missing neighbor, and Addy’s amazed to see how he’s able to connect with folks to get help. Then Caleb offers to help her get to camp--but can she trust him? She always thought of him as an enemy--but maybe she was partially to blame for his frostiness? The storm has brought so many questions swirling to the surface and has made Addy feel it’s time to take some leaps of faith. When she agrees to travel with Caleb by canoe, this sets off a remarkable string of events and the biggest test of her survival skills. More importantly, it sets Addy on a road to understanding that she's not in this adventure of life alone--and that a good thing.
When a super-storm hits Addy's remote mountain town, knocking out the bridge and cutting her home off from the main road, she worries that she won’t be able to get to the survival camp she’s been looking forward to attending. The camp’s the place where her parents met, and where Addy plans to hone her skills and honor their legacy. But now there’s no power and it’s also like a light has been switched off in her mom, who’s been triggered by the raging river and memories of Addy’s dad dying in a similar storm. The two of them are feeling particularly stranded as they’ve never bothered to befriend any neighbors. But now Addy keeps running into her classmate Caleb on the hill above her house where they both go to get cell service. Caleb’s frantic about a missing neighbor, and Addy’s amazed to see how he’s able to connect with folks to get help. Then Caleb offers to help her get to camp--but can she trust him? She always thought of him as an enemy--but maybe she was partially to blame for his frostiness? The storm has brought so many questions swirling to the surface and has made Addy feel it’s time to take some leaps of faith. When she agrees to travel with Caleb by canoe, this sets off a remarkable string of events and the biggest test of her survival skills. More importantly, it sets Addy on a road to understanding that she's not in this adventure of life alone--and that a good thing.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2025
22 people are currently reading
5169 people want to read
About the author
Ann Braden
5 books366 followersAnn Braden writes books about kids learning to stand up for themselves even when it’s hard. Her debut middle grade novel, THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS, was called one of “the essential middle school reads from the last decade” by Edutopia, and FLIGHT OF THE PUFFIN sparked a coast-to-coast read aloud with tens of thousands of students taking part. Her newest book, OPINIONS AND OPOSSUMS, was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Ann founded the Local Love Brigade, which sends love postcards to those who are facing hate. She also founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group which helped pass landmark common ground gun safety legislation. Previously a middle school teacher, Ann lives in southern Vermont with her husband, two kids, and two insatiable cats.
Find out more on her website.
Find out more on her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
May 22, 2025
Birthday 🎂 gift to myself :)
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No one's body will last forever. But life is more than a physical body.
Life isn't some clear-cut line. It's not a single train that you have to be on as it chugs down a straight track. It's a web,rippling outward, changing and shifting and reaching others, making them laugh and feel and hoot.
"So I guess this is what life is,huh? Dealing with the ups and downs?"
"And the changes. It's like our own personal set of rapids. We've just got ride a lot of waves."
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No one's body will last forever. But life is more than a physical body.
Life isn't some clear-cut line. It's not a single train that you have to be on as it chugs down a straight track. It's a web,rippling outward, changing and shifting and reaching others, making them laugh and feel and hoot.
"So I guess this is what life is,huh? Dealing with the ups and downs?"
"And the changes. It's like our own personal set of rapids. We've just got ride a lot of waves."
February 11, 2025
Thx to the author for the ARC; all opinions are my own. I loved this slim, action-packed, fast-paced novel that explores the importance of opening up and trusting others. My students are crazy about survival books so I can’t wait to get this into the hands of readers! I read this quick book in just one sitting because I just had to know what happened.
Addy lives in a remote rural town in Vermont with her mother and can’t WAIT for Survival Camp, which is where her parents met. Addy’s dad died in an accident when she was little so she and her mom depend on each other and her mother suffers from depression. When a huge storm floods the region it washes out an important bridge and puts her plans in flux. Addy is upset, but determined to still make it to camp. She has to rely on the help of others, something she hasn’t done much of in the past.
There’s lots here to love – short, quick chapters that will keep kids reading, conversations about mental health that normalize therapy, and a beautiful look at a small community that is interdependent and rooted in relationships. Highly recommended for all elementary and middle school collections!
Addy lives in a remote rural town in Vermont with her mother and can’t WAIT for Survival Camp, which is where her parents met. Addy’s dad died in an accident when she was little so she and her mom depend on each other and her mother suffers from depression. When a huge storm floods the region it washes out an important bridge and puts her plans in flux. Addy is upset, but determined to still make it to camp. She has to rely on the help of others, something she hasn’t done much of in the past.
There’s lots here to love – short, quick chapters that will keep kids reading, conversations about mental health that normalize therapy, and a beautiful look at a small community that is interdependent and rooted in relationships. Highly recommended for all elementary and middle school collections!
November 25, 2024
For fans of Hatchet and The Cay, this is adventure reading and then some.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel.
In her signature writing style, Ann Braden combines contemporary, realistic fiction with topics that will hit home with many readers. Disappointment, grief, anxiety, depression, super storms-- many readers may have experienced some or all of these things and will find common ground with the main characters in this book. All the while, hope, family, understanding, and friendship are keeping things afloat for these characters and their loved ones. The familiar message, but one that I personally need to be reminded of, is that even those we have lost can still be with us through familiar things such as food, memories, and community.
Great for your middle great readers, and short enough that even those who struggle with reading may be able to read this book.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel.
In her signature writing style, Ann Braden combines contemporary, realistic fiction with topics that will hit home with many readers. Disappointment, grief, anxiety, depression, super storms-- many readers may have experienced some or all of these things and will find common ground with the main characters in this book. All the while, hope, family, understanding, and friendship are keeping things afloat for these characters and their loved ones. The familiar message, but one that I personally need to be reminded of, is that even those we have lost can still be with us through familiar things such as food, memories, and community.
Great for your middle great readers, and short enough that even those who struggle with reading may be able to read this book.
December 19, 2024
I love everything Ann Braden writes, but this might be my favorite yet. The pacing is swift, the characters and setting are memorable, the plot is suspenseful, and as with all of her books, there are profound emotional takeaways. Don't miss this one!
September 18, 2025
This book felt a little formulaic to me. From the first few pages, you know how the book is going to go. Parent & child are suffering from a traumatic event, the child decides to do something drastic that ends up awakening both parent and child and changes the trajectory of their lives. I also felt that the author had a point to make and made sure to mention it multiple times, so the reader was sure to get it. At the end of the book, the author acknowledges that this story was deeply personal and reflected her own journey in events that had happened and how she has worked to accept and move forward. While I honor her story and journey, the book didn't feel fresh or original.
May 26, 2025
I received an ebook ARC of Into the Rapids by Ann Braden through NetGalley!
As a tempestuous storm descends upon Addy's isolated mountain village, severing the bridge and isolating her home from the main thoroughfare, trepidation grips her heart. The survival camp she has eagerly anticipated now seems an unattainable dream. This camp, a sacred ground where her parents once forged their bond, represents not just an adventure but a chance for Addy to refine her abilities and pay tribute to their legacy. Yet, as the tempest roars, the power flickers out, mirroring the shadow that has fallen over her mother, who is haunted by the memories of the past—memories of Addy's father lost to a similar calamity. Stranded in their solitude, they realize the price of their isolation, having neglected to cultivate relationships with their neighbors. The storm has unearthed a whirlwind of uncertainties, compelling Addy to confront the necessity of taking leaps of faith. Her decision to embark on a canoe journey with Caleb ignites a series of extraordinary events, testing her survival instincts like never before. More profoundly, it leads Addy to a revelation: she is not alone in this grand adventure of life, and perhaps that is the greatest gift of all.
Set against a backdrop of mountain and river, the story follows Addy, a character caught in the current of personal and external conflicts. As the title suggests, the narrative plunges the reader straight into the deep waters of storms, grief, depression, death, identity, where the character must navigate not just external obstacles, but the emotional turmoil brewing within. The book takes readers on a whirlwind journey through survival, making friendship, believing in yourself and asking for help when needed, with the rapids symbolising the unpredictability of life itself.
Into the Rapids is a beautifully written exploration of the complexities of human experience, packed with moments of introspection and revelation. With its rich character development, profound themes, and skillful prose, this novel is a must read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking, emotionally resonant realistic fiction. Whether you’re drawn to its symbolic use of nature, the personal struggles of its characters, or the immersive world the author has created, this novel will leave a lasting impression.
As a tempestuous storm descends upon Addy's isolated mountain village, severing the bridge and isolating her home from the main thoroughfare, trepidation grips her heart. The survival camp she has eagerly anticipated now seems an unattainable dream. This camp, a sacred ground where her parents once forged their bond, represents not just an adventure but a chance for Addy to refine her abilities and pay tribute to their legacy. Yet, as the tempest roars, the power flickers out, mirroring the shadow that has fallen over her mother, who is haunted by the memories of the past—memories of Addy's father lost to a similar calamity. Stranded in their solitude, they realize the price of their isolation, having neglected to cultivate relationships with their neighbors. The storm has unearthed a whirlwind of uncertainties, compelling Addy to confront the necessity of taking leaps of faith. Her decision to embark on a canoe journey with Caleb ignites a series of extraordinary events, testing her survival instincts like never before. More profoundly, it leads Addy to a revelation: she is not alone in this grand adventure of life, and perhaps that is the greatest gift of all.
Set against a backdrop of mountain and river, the story follows Addy, a character caught in the current of personal and external conflicts. As the title suggests, the narrative plunges the reader straight into the deep waters of storms, grief, depression, death, identity, where the character must navigate not just external obstacles, but the emotional turmoil brewing within. The book takes readers on a whirlwind journey through survival, making friendship, believing in yourself and asking for help when needed, with the rapids symbolising the unpredictability of life itself.
Into the Rapids is a beautifully written exploration of the complexities of human experience, packed with moments of introspection and revelation. With its rich character development, profound themes, and skillful prose, this novel is a must read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking, emotionally resonant realistic fiction. Whether you’re drawn to its symbolic use of nature, the personal struggles of its characters, or the immersive world the author has created, this novel will leave a lasting impression.
January 11, 2025
Set in the Green Mountains of Vermont, this middle grade story is full of fast-paced action and adventure.
Since her dad’s death when she was just a baby, Addy and her mom have relied on each other, closing themselves off from classmates and neighbors in their remote town. Addy’s looking forward to attending Survival Camp, honoring the place her parents met and following in her dad’s legacy. But when a superstorm hits and takes out the bridge Addy needs to use to get to Survival Camp, she’ll need to take a leap of faith and trust the neighbors in her small community.
At just 165 pages, this middle grade novel is full of amazing characters, an incredible setting, friendship, and hope. I loved how therapy was normalized, and I also really enjoyed learning about the immortal jellyfish and think student readers will, too!
Line that spoke to me:
Page 2:
Grief is funny like that. In lots of books, when someone dies, everyone’s just sad. But in real life, there’s a lot of anger, too.
Per order now. Publishes May 13, 2025.
Since her dad’s death when she was just a baby, Addy and her mom have relied on each other, closing themselves off from classmates and neighbors in their remote town. Addy’s looking forward to attending Survival Camp, honoring the place her parents met and following in her dad’s legacy. But when a superstorm hits and takes out the bridge Addy needs to use to get to Survival Camp, she’ll need to take a leap of faith and trust the neighbors in her small community.
At just 165 pages, this middle grade novel is full of amazing characters, an incredible setting, friendship, and hope. I loved how therapy was normalized, and I also really enjoyed learning about the immortal jellyfish and think student readers will, too!
Line that spoke to me:
Page 2:
Grief is funny like that. In lots of books, when someone dies, everyone’s just sad. But in real life, there’s a lot of anger, too.
Per order now. Publishes May 13, 2025.
February 23, 2025
Every time I crack open the first page on one of Ann Braden’s books, I wonder how in the world she will write one that will touch my reading heart as much as the last… and every time I close the last page of one of her books, I wonder how she’s done it again. Into the Rapids by Ann Braden is a beautiful and emotional exploration of anxiety and loss, love and hope. In it, we meet Addy, an almost-middle-schooler on a mission to prove herself at Survival Camp, the same camp where her mother and late father met. But when a raging storm takes out the only bridge to town, more than the roads start to come undone. Her and her mother have been a team of two for so long, but the storm has shown her that a world of connections and possibilities might still exist for them both. This book will take you on a personal journey, reach deep inside to touch your heart and shine a ray of hope for whatever might be next for you.
December 13, 2024
I was treated to an ARC of this book by author Ann Braden. First of all, Ann Braden has listened when teachers are saying we need shorter books to recommend to our students. The book is 165 pages long; the perfect length for middle grade readers these days.
Main character Addy and her mother experienced a trauma many years ago and self-isolated, having no family or friends to rely on. Addy finds herself in the middle of a storm and power outage in her community just days before she is supposed to go to the summer camp she has been looking forward to her whole life. Addy soon learns that she must open up and rely on her community during this time. Into the Rapids is a heartwarming tale of friendship, community, overcoming adversity, and survival. Highly Recommend!
Main character Addy and her mother experienced a trauma many years ago and self-isolated, having no family or friends to rely on. Addy finds herself in the middle of a storm and power outage in her community just days before she is supposed to go to the summer camp she has been looking forward to her whole life. Addy soon learns that she must open up and rely on her community during this time. Into the Rapids is a heartwarming tale of friendship, community, overcoming adversity, and survival. Highly Recommend!
January 24, 2025
What a wonderful book to finish the year with and what a perfect message for the new year: live life as fully as you can!!
Loved this and found it hard to put down! Such a tender way of dealing with grief and loss as well as family and, friendship and mental health while also creating a story charged with action, adventure and character growth!
Loved this and found it hard to put down! Such a tender way of dealing with grief and loss as well as family and, friendship and mental health while also creating a story charged with action, adventure and character growth!
November 26, 2024
Addy has lived through a lot of experiences in her life. But the experience she’s looking forward to and preparing for—Survival Camp—may be in jeopardy after a tropical storm passes through her remote mountain town. Ever since Addy and her mom have moved here, they have been isolated from the rest of the town. No one knows what they have gone through following Addy’s dad’s unexpected death. Now as the bridge to town is washed out, the power is off, and flooding has changed many people’s lives, addy has the chance to connect like she’s never had the opportunity before. Using her experiences with her mother’s aniexty and panic attacks, she navigates the unexpected while helping an unlikely companion.
I really enjoyed the emotion portrayed in this story from several characters. The focus on the normal occurrence of panic attacks and mental health issues, especially during a time of stress and crisis, will provide young readers help in knowing they aren’t alone as well as they can help support those around them. The book also showed how different people handle grief, demonstrating there’s not one right way. The fast paced crisis situation made it a book that was hard to put down. An excellent read!
Ann Braden
I really enjoyed the emotion portrayed in this story from several characters. The focus on the normal occurrence of panic attacks and mental health issues, especially during a time of stress and crisis, will provide young readers help in knowing they aren’t alone as well as they can help support those around them. The book also showed how different people handle grief, demonstrating there’s not one right way. The fast paced crisis situation made it a book that was hard to put down. An excellent read!
Ann Braden
November 28, 2024
Addy and her mom have been in survival mode since her dad’s tragic death, and have kept themselves closed off from others both physically and emotionally. As Addy prepares to attend the survival camp where her parents met when they were her age, a huge storm washes out the bridge that would get her there.
Addy finds herself needing help from others if she is going to achieve her goal, but can she open herself up to others and discover what it means to truly live?
Ann Braden expertly weaves adventure and emotional growth in a beautiful story that is just 165 pages. The characters leap off the pages, especially Addie and her neighbor Caleb, who is Addie’s opposite when it comes to connecting with others. I loved that Addie’s experiences with her mom gave her the tools to support Caleb through his panic attack, and that therapy is normalized.
This is a fantastic story with plenty of fast-paced action, relatable characters, a setting that may as well be a character itself, all in an impressively short book with a gorgeous cover. I can’t wait to put it into the hands of readers in May!
Addy finds herself needing help from others if she is going to achieve her goal, but can she open herself up to others and discover what it means to truly live?
Ann Braden expertly weaves adventure and emotional growth in a beautiful story that is just 165 pages. The characters leap off the pages, especially Addie and her neighbor Caleb, who is Addie’s opposite when it comes to connecting with others. I loved that Addie’s experiences with her mom gave her the tools to support Caleb through his panic attack, and that therapy is normalized.
This is a fantastic story with plenty of fast-paced action, relatable characters, a setting that may as well be a character itself, all in an impressively short book with a gorgeous cover. I can’t wait to put it into the hands of readers in May!
December 16, 2024
Ann Braden’s Into the Rapids is a compelling and heartfelt story that pulls readers in with its fast-paced narrative and relatable, likable characters. Addy, the determined protagonist, has grown up without her father, who tragically lost his life in rushing water when she was just a baby. Addy and her mother are forced to confront old wounds when a superstorm hits her town, washing away the local bridge and leaving them without electricity.
With the support of her neighbor Caleb, Addy discovers the strength of community and the courage to seek help when needed. Braden skillfully blends themes of loss, resilience, and healing, leaving her readers with the poignant reminder that those we love never truly leave us—they live on in our hearts. All of this comes in an accessible, super-engaging 165-page package. I look forward to sharing this with my sixth graders!
With the support of her neighbor Caleb, Addy discovers the strength of community and the courage to seek help when needed. Braden skillfully blends themes of loss, resilience, and healing, leaving her readers with the poignant reminder that those we love never truly leave us—they live on in our hearts. All of this comes in an accessible, super-engaging 165-page package. I look forward to sharing this with my sixth graders!
December 13, 2024
I had the pleasure of previewing this book- I loved it. It has adventure, heartache, and the great outdoors. It’s nice to see a girl main character battling the elements. Great read! I couldn’t put it down!
January 7, 2025
I received an ARC of Into the Rapids as a part of Ann Braden's ARC Tour. Here is my honest review.
Addy cannot wait to get to Survival Camp. This is where her parents met; this is where she can add her name to the ceiling by her dad's name. This is where she will prove herself and her abilities. But, Mother Nature had a different idea, a flood.
When a massive storm rages in Addy's town and neighboring areas, the bridge that connects her to the rest of the community is washed out. All Addy can think about is getting to Survival Camp and the importance of it. Her dad died during a storm; only Addy and her mom could get out, so she needs Survival Camp to reconnect with the memory of her dad. Meanwhile, Caleb, her neighbor, and not-friend, is worried about another neighbor, Ike, who went missing in the storm and is presumed dead. The entire community was searching for Ike, and Addy did not know anything about what was happening. She and her mom, after losing her dad, secluded themselves. They live in the community, but they are not really a part of it. So, when Caleb plans a way for Addy to get to Survival Camp, she cannot believe so many people are willing to help her. She also worries about leaving her mom behind. without electricity and a way to contact her therapist. Mom's been in a bad place with this storm, and Addy knows she needs help, but how can Addy protect her mom and leave for Survival Camp? Finally, the day for camp has arrived, but already there is a kink in the plan. Caleb's dad has to stay at the fire station, and he's the first leg of her journey. With a canoe and some life vests, Caleb is determined to get Addy to the next leg of her journey to camp downriver, but can Addy get in the water? Will everyone who said they'd help actually show up and help someone they've never met, or will Addy once again lose out on an opportunity to reconnect with her father?
Into the Rapids is a book about strength, courage, and community. It shines a light on the need to not insulate oneself within a community, but instead be an active participant within it. As with her past novels, Braden focuses on the positives that come with negatives and how to find strength to overcome fear and darkness. My only issues with the novel were a few parts of dialogue that felt forced between Addy and Caleb (it felt too old for 12-year-olds), and the fact that Addy is 12 (and Caleb). As I read the novel, I kept picturing young teens, like 14-year-olds, as Addy and Caleb. Their characters and the plot just made more sense aging them to upper middle school. Besides that, this is another stellar novel to add to any middle-grades collection.
Addy cannot wait to get to Survival Camp. This is where her parents met; this is where she can add her name to the ceiling by her dad's name. This is where she will prove herself and her abilities. But, Mother Nature had a different idea, a flood.
When a massive storm rages in Addy's town and neighboring areas, the bridge that connects her to the rest of the community is washed out. All Addy can think about is getting to Survival Camp and the importance of it. Her dad died during a storm; only Addy and her mom could get out, so she needs Survival Camp to reconnect with the memory of her dad. Meanwhile, Caleb, her neighbor, and not-friend, is worried about another neighbor, Ike, who went missing in the storm and is presumed dead. The entire community was searching for Ike, and Addy did not know anything about what was happening. She and her mom, after losing her dad, secluded themselves. They live in the community, but they are not really a part of it. So, when Caleb plans a way for Addy to get to Survival Camp, she cannot believe so many people are willing to help her. She also worries about leaving her mom behind. without electricity and a way to contact her therapist. Mom's been in a bad place with this storm, and Addy knows she needs help, but how can Addy protect her mom and leave for Survival Camp? Finally, the day for camp has arrived, but already there is a kink in the plan. Caleb's dad has to stay at the fire station, and he's the first leg of her journey. With a canoe and some life vests, Caleb is determined to get Addy to the next leg of her journey to camp downriver, but can Addy get in the water? Will everyone who said they'd help actually show up and help someone they've never met, or will Addy once again lose out on an opportunity to reconnect with her father?
Into the Rapids is a book about strength, courage, and community. It shines a light on the need to not insulate oneself within a community, but instead be an active participant within it. As with her past novels, Braden focuses on the positives that come with negatives and how to find strength to overcome fear and darkness. My only issues with the novel were a few parts of dialogue that felt forced between Addy and Caleb (it felt too old for 12-year-olds), and the fact that Addy is 12 (and Caleb). As I read the novel, I kept picturing young teens, like 14-year-olds, as Addy and Caleb. Their characters and the plot just made more sense aging them to upper middle school. Besides that, this is another stellar novel to add to any middle-grades collection.
April 19, 2025
“Find out what you’re capable of.”
🛶
Addy has been looking forward to survival camp ever since hearing how her dad dominated when he went, but when a super-storm takes out their mountain town’s bridge she worries she won’t be able to make it. To make matters worse her mother is going through a depressive episode because the storm is taking her back to when they lost Addy’s dad when she was a baby. Addy tries to get in touch with her mom’s therapist on the hill above her house where there’s cell service and it’s there she meets Caleb, who is frantic about not being able to find a neighbor who has gone missing. They end up both helping each other when Addy supports Caleb’s panic attacks and Caleb devises a plan to get Addy to that survival camp, no matter what.
🌧️
I adore @annbradenbooks books and this was no exception. She writes with such heart and has us loving these flawed, but lovable characters. This novel deals with heavy issues such as grief, death, mental health struggles, and anxiety in a safe way for our kids to explore those themes in a title where everything seems to work out. Thanks for writing kidlit MG books like these. Into the Rapids releases May 13.
CW: panic attacks (on page), death, parental death, anxiety, depression, drowning, storm
🛶
Addy has been looking forward to survival camp ever since hearing how her dad dominated when he went, but when a super-storm takes out their mountain town’s bridge she worries she won’t be able to make it. To make matters worse her mother is going through a depressive episode because the storm is taking her back to when they lost Addy’s dad when she was a baby. Addy tries to get in touch with her mom’s therapist on the hill above her house where there’s cell service and it’s there she meets Caleb, who is frantic about not being able to find a neighbor who has gone missing. They end up both helping each other when Addy supports Caleb’s panic attacks and Caleb devises a plan to get Addy to that survival camp, no matter what.
🌧️
I adore @annbradenbooks books and this was no exception. She writes with such heart and has us loving these flawed, but lovable characters. This novel deals with heavy issues such as grief, death, mental health struggles, and anxiety in a safe way for our kids to explore those themes in a title where everything seems to work out. Thanks for writing kidlit MG books like these. Into the Rapids releases May 13.
CW: panic attacks (on page), death, parental death, anxiety, depression, drowning, storm
April 5, 2025
If you’ve ever read anything by Ann Braden (and you definitely should), you know she fills the pages with characters you root for and difficult topics discussed in the most appropriate, gentle way. This book is no exception and quite possibly may be my favorite she’s written to date.
INTO THE RAPIDS is a mix of adventure, survival and realistic fiction. It’s just Addy and her mom living in a remote mountain town. Her dad died when she was a baby and they closed themselves off from the people around them. Now it’s time for Addy to head to survival camp, the same one where her parents met, and she couldn’t be more excited. But, a super-storm alters her plan when it hits, knocking out the power, while also destroying the bridge needed to get there. Addy is determined to attend camp and make sure her mom continues her therapy. Is it time to let people in and help her?
There is so much heart in this book and it is relatable on many levels. The fact that it’s 165 pages makes it approachable for so many readers, too.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC tour for this beautiful book.
All the stars for INTO THE RAPIDS.
INTO THE RAPIDS is a mix of adventure, survival and realistic fiction. It’s just Addy and her mom living in a remote mountain town. Her dad died when she was a baby and they closed themselves off from the people around them. Now it’s time for Addy to head to survival camp, the same one where her parents met, and she couldn’t be more excited. But, a super-storm alters her plan when it hits, knocking out the power, while also destroying the bridge needed to get there. Addy is determined to attend camp and make sure her mom continues her therapy. Is it time to let people in and help her?
There is so much heart in this book and it is relatable on many levels. The fact that it’s 165 pages makes it approachable for so many readers, too.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC tour for this beautiful book.
All the stars for INTO THE RAPIDS.
February 13, 2025
Addy’s journey through this book was hard to read. Reading about a young character who’s experienced loss is never easy, but Addy taught me so many things about how to ebb with life rather than to push against it. I loved the ah-ha’s Addy gained in this book and how she was able to help her mom and Caleb. This book is beautifully written, heart rending and perfect for middle grade. I can’t wait for my students to get the experience of reading this book. As always, Ann Braden’s heart shines through in her work and I myself feel like I’m a better human for getting to learn from her.
This ARC was provided for me to read by the author.
This ARC was provided for me to read by the author.
June 18, 2025
This honestly hit me harder than I expected. What started as an adventure turned into such a meaningful journey, full of emotion, loss, and some really transparent moments around mental health. Had a great message about pushing through tough times that really stuck with me. Definitely give this a read!
March 7, 2025
I was given this book to review and give my honest opinion. This book was a quick read. The chapters were short. This book touched on many things- loss, grief, single mom life, panic attacks, purpose of life and more. This would be a good book for a child that has lost a parent. A thought from the book is “Life isn’t infinite. That’s why I’ve got to make it count”
September 9, 2025
I enjoyed this brief novel exploring one girl who is simultaneously trying to manage her mom's anxiety while making decisions for herself and embracing community. The survival moments were especially good.
August 4, 2025
I probably read this book too close to the Texas floods. But taking that heart squeeze out of it, this was a great middle grade book!
June 1, 2025
Quick read about coping with grief and overcoming fears.
January 8, 2025
Ann Braden does it again with a fast-paced, engaging read. Into the Rapids tackles grief and anxiety in an accessible way with characters you can't help but invest in. Addy encounters more adventures than she bargains for in her remote community, but her neighbor and classmate Caleb helps her realize she has the support she needs to tackle the adventures head-on.
April 26, 2025
While this was a quick and entertaining read, it didn't live up to some of Braden's other works. I found this to be a bit slow and unrealistic in certain ways. The plot and circumstances read as very contrived and forced into existence. Worth reading but not a favorite and would have to find specific students to recommend to.
January 2, 2025
Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers who need a shorter book (165 pages) with short chapters to keep the pages turning! Themes of survival, friendship, mental-health, family bonds, and community gives readers a lot to absorb and take away from Addy’s mission to make it to Survival Camp.
December 23, 2024
Thank you, Ann Braden for the opportunity to read your newest book on your ARC tour!
Into the Rapids is a heartfelt middle grade novel that beautifully portrays the feelings of loss and learning to live rather than just survive. Readers will love the unexpected friendship and Addy's adventure as she trudges through the wilderness to get to her survival camp. This book is relatable, relevant, and educational as it discusses mental health coping mechanisms for children and adults.
I could see this book becoming a sequel with the continuing friendship of Addy and Caleb, and their love for nature and canoeing.
Into the Rapids is a heartfelt middle grade novel that beautifully portrays the feelings of loss and learning to live rather than just survive. Readers will love the unexpected friendship and Addy's adventure as she trudges through the wilderness to get to her survival camp. This book is relatable, relevant, and educational as it discusses mental health coping mechanisms for children and adults.
I could see this book becoming a sequel with the continuing friendship of Addy and Caleb, and their love for nature and canoeing.
December 19, 2024
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ann Braden has done it again- she’s created a memorable story and characters in a reasonably short middle grade novel. In this story, Addy’s town is in storm-recovery mode, and she is focused on making it to an outdoor survival camp in the next few days. It’s going to take a lot to make that happen, but she develops a new friendship, supports her mom, and works through past family grief as she tackles her goal.
Ann Braden has done it again- she’s created a memorable story and characters in a reasonably short middle grade novel. In this story, Addy’s town is in storm-recovery mode, and she is focused on making it to an outdoor survival camp in the next few days. It’s going to take a lot to make that happen, but she develops a new friendship, supports her mom, and works through past family grief as she tackles her goal.
April 15, 2025
The last few years has seen a large number of middle grade titles with grief recovery as a theme and Ann Braden (Flight of the Puffin, Benefits of Being an Octopus, Opinions & Opossums) adds hers to that list, but INTO THE RAPIDS is so much more than just a 12 year and her mom still struggling to find a way to live life to its fullest despite the loss of Addy’s dad being when she was just a toddler. Survival after a river floods the area due to torrential rains as well as discovering the importance of friends, leaning on those trusted friends and allowing them to lean on you are all there, and, depending on the heart of the reader, are possibly more paramount than discovering that sharing memories of those we have lost is a way to keep their flame alive inside.
Addy and her mom have always been enough for each other and neither seems to want or need anyone else. But when the storm waters wash away the bridge connecting their small town to vital goods and services, Addy will not be able to attend the survival camp where her parents went and is devastated she won’t be able to connect to her absent father in that way and her mother begins to sink into a depression, the likes of which Addy hasn’t seen in a while. She attempts to find cell service atop a hill near her home where she goes to practice wet campfire lighting, she finds Caleb, a neighbor her age who has not always been too nice. But time brings change and the two learn much that connects them. A canoe trip that is supposed to help Addy reach the all-important survival camp goes awry and she learns just how strong she really is while also recognizing she doesn’t have to do everything by herself.
Loved all the camping, fire-building and canoe scenes with Addy and/or Caleb and know readers will enjoy them as well. The friendship between Addy and Caleb may seem to develop unrealistically fast, but a lot can happen during stressful situations and when big “helps” are experienced between two people and both young people absolutely step up when needed. Strong 4th grade readers through grade 7 are sure to enjoy Into the Rapids and might just learn a thing or two about the outdoors, survival in the woods and water, strategies for dealing with anxiety and grief, and may even begin to think about our need for friendship just a bit more deeply. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the only violence is that of nature.
For other middle grade reads that are more than only grief recovery, try Forever Ripley by McCall Hoyle w/a faithful dog friend at the heart and Pam Munoz Ryan’s El Niño that adds competitive swimming plus under the sea mythology.
Thanks for the eARC, Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin for Young Readers and NetGalley.
Addy and her mom have always been enough for each other and neither seems to want or need anyone else. But when the storm waters wash away the bridge connecting their small town to vital goods and services, Addy will not be able to attend the survival camp where her parents went and is devastated she won’t be able to connect to her absent father in that way and her mother begins to sink into a depression, the likes of which Addy hasn’t seen in a while. She attempts to find cell service atop a hill near her home where she goes to practice wet campfire lighting, she finds Caleb, a neighbor her age who has not always been too nice. But time brings change and the two learn much that connects them. A canoe trip that is supposed to help Addy reach the all-important survival camp goes awry and she learns just how strong she really is while also recognizing she doesn’t have to do everything by herself.
Loved all the camping, fire-building and canoe scenes with Addy and/or Caleb and know readers will enjoy them as well. The friendship between Addy and Caleb may seem to develop unrealistically fast, but a lot can happen during stressful situations and when big “helps” are experienced between two people and both young people absolutely step up when needed. Strong 4th grade readers through grade 7 are sure to enjoy Into the Rapids and might just learn a thing or two about the outdoors, survival in the woods and water, strategies for dealing with anxiety and grief, and may even begin to think about our need for friendship just a bit more deeply. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the only violence is that of nature.
For other middle grade reads that are more than only grief recovery, try Forever Ripley by McCall Hoyle w/a faithful dog friend at the heart and Pam Munoz Ryan’s El Niño that adds competitive swimming plus under the sea mythology.
Thanks for the eARC, Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin for Young Readers and NetGalley.
July 12, 2025
I saw this book in the middle grade section of a bookstore in Estes Park. The back of the book intrigued me - a girl preparing for survival camp is put in a situation where she needs to survive. I really enjoyed how mental health was addressed for teens here and as an adult think it would be wildly beneficial for kids to read.
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