WHAT HAPPENED TO RACHEL RILEY? by Claire Swinarski, Quill Tree Books, Jan. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
An eighth-grader tries to find out how the most popular girl at her school became a social pariah in What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski.
Anna Hunt may be the new girl at East Middle School, but she can already tell there’s something off about her eighth-grade class. Rachel Riley, who just last year was one of the most popular girls in school, has become a social outcast. But no one, including Rachel Riley herself, will tell Anna why.
As a die-hard podcast enthusiast, Anna knows there’s always more to a story than meets the eye. So, she decides to put her fact-seeking skills to the test and create her own podcast around the question that won’t stop running through her head: What happened to Rachel Riley?
With the entire eighth grade working against her, Anna dives headfirst into the evidence. Clue after clue, the mystery widens, painting an even more complex story than Anna could have anticipated. But there’s one thing she’s certain of: If you’re going to ask a complicated question, you better be prepared for the fallout that may come with the answer. —Synopsis provided by Quill Tree Books
What Happened to Rachel Riley? is one of those books that just hits all the marks. It’s smart. It’s sensitive. And it makes readers take a good look at their own experiences.
The book begins with a question, “What happened to Rachel Riley?” And then, like the podcasts Anna loves, it goes on to unfold the mystery piece by piece, using social media posts, passed notes, and other clues.
Anna is a smart and engaging protagonist, and her interactions with her classmates feel authentic. Supporting characters are well realized and their roles are well thought out.
The plot, which at first glance appears to be about bullying and middle-school social dynamics, evolves into one that explores sexual harassment. It’s timely and serves as an excellent entry point into necessary discussions.
The publisher’s suggested age for What Happened to Rachel Riley? is 8-12. I think it skews a bit higher, ages 10 or 11 and up.
What Happened to Rachel Riley? is a book that sticks with you. It’s a book both tweens and their parents should read. I originally checked my review copy out from the library, but I plan to purchase a copy for my 9-year-old to read when she’s a little bit older. It’s an outstanding read for girls AND boys as they head into middle/junior high school.
*What Happened to Rachel Riley? is a Cybils-nominated book. This review is my opinion and not the opinion of the middle-grade fiction panel as a whole.
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