I thought that this was a great debut, but I thought that sometimes it felt like it belonged in YA. I do think that it deals with heavy topics well despite that fact.

Highly recommend this book to the babies in middle school! It deals with mental health, body issues(which comes head on during this age range), and familial problems! It handles discussions of racism, features(colorism imo) well! The babies deserve this one! Greatly written and easily digestible! For a book geared towards this age range, this is a book that will stay with anyone! You’ll be reminded of yourself even at that age! A must read!

This heartbreaking novel in verse is about Rain. Rain's brother is beaten up at a party. He needs a lot of care from his family. Rain is struggling with her own problems but hides it .

A great window into the mental health struggles of young women, specifically those of color. I loved this book and gained a lot of knowledge into how hard it is to be a teenager growing up in the 21st century. I apprecaited the empathy the main character had for her brother and how she stood by his side. This was such a sweet sibling dynamic. I loved this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book gripped me from beginning to end. I could not look away. I lack the words to adequately describe this book and my reading experience. This book lays bare the very real struggles of Rain, an 8th grader with severe depression and negative self-image and how she navigates life. The book shows how others in her family also deal with their own mental health struggles and promotes therapy, shows it working yet also shows that it's not a magic bullet. Absolutely amazing.

This is a solid plot to explore in the verse novel format. While plenty happens in the book, the primary driver of the plot is emotional growth and the acknowledgement of mental illness. We want, then, more time spent reflecting than in the details of action. Plus, the events of the book are pretty harrowing. Since we are never in the moment, since all of the events are filtered through the lens of Rain's reactions, we have a little distance to keep it from becoming too intense for young readers.

Brilliant, moving upper middle grade novel in verse about depression, body image, family, and the impacts of racial prejudice. Loved this one.

This reviewer supports the HarperCollins Union. I've read and written a review, but won't be uploading it here or on any other platforms until the HarperCollins Union has a fair contract.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and as soon as it was available for purchase, I grabbed it for my school library! It did not take long to get it into student hands, and feedback has all been fantastic. Rain is a wonderful character who is relatable to today's teens. I look forward to more books from Courtne Comrie!

The story of Rain and her single mom and brother living their lives. Her brother, a start player, is asked to attend an elite private school and he goes to better his future. When on a school trip he is jumped the family's world slowly falls apart and they must learn to communicate each others pains and fears to survive.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Rain Rising.

8th grader Rain is quietly battling depression. She's good at hiding her sadness from her friends and family. This novel-in-verse beautifully tells of Rain's remarkable relationship with her brother/hero Xander as well as her quickly dissolving friendship with her best friend Nara. When Xander is attacked, Rain spirals deeper into depression. Will Rain follow her teacher's advice and join an after-school support group that could help turn things around?

I loved this book. This book would be best friends with The Hate U Give and Punching the Air.

It isn't often that I'm on the edge of my seat while reading a novel in verse--they're usually slower, more reflective reads. Not this one. I was flipping pages with my eyes glued to the page. I loved the characters, and I thought both X's PTSD and Rain's mental health issues were written well and truly.

My only criticism is that there was a lack of resolution with what happened to X. We get that there is some progress, but we never see the end result.

You're ugly. You're not good enough. You're worthless. Nobody likes you. Only bad things will happen.


This story is told through the perspective of an 8th grader by the name of Rain. Rain just wanted to be accepted and loved like all of her friends. Rain's story was heartbreaking, relatable, and realistic. Her self-esteem is at an all-time low. She's always sad and doesn't like herself and compares herself to others. Rain lives with her older brother Xander, and her mother. The family is struggling financially, emotionally, and physically.

. I highlighted so many statements that really made me think as an adult. I felt Rain’s pain. I felt her mother's hurt, disappointments, failures, and regret. The themes of the story are mental health, sibling love, single mothers, absent fathers, community support, and a diverse community.


The storyline flowed smoothly and I love how the author wrote in verse even though this wasn't poetry. The pacing of the story was great and on point. The twists and turns which you don't see coming were brilliant. Xavier gets brutally attacked and it hinders the family further. The family really is struggling and the incident puts more strain on the family unit.

This book really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. I went from smiling, laughing, and thinking to sad, crying, and upset. Some of the situations and problems the characters went through personally also. I could really relate on a whole different level.

“Healing can come from just being honest”.

I recommend this book to middle schoolers, avid readers of young adults, school libraries, and teen clubs and groups.

I give this book 4 stars.

Rain's had a hard life but her big brother has always been her sunshine and her protector. When he's the victim of a racially-motivated attack at a college frat party, his own mental health issues begin to surface and he's unable to be the family savior. Rain pulls further away from friends and family, but luckily her English teacher notices and connects Rain with a group of students and a counselor that are able to provide her the space and support she needs to start to heal. Rain is so raw and vulnerable as she starts to uncover years of mental health pain that she's pushed further and further down. This novel in verse tackles big issues around race, class, identity, and the struggle to deal with trauma in a way that is approachable and appropriate for middle school readers.

Offers great perspective on how hate crimes effect not only the victim, but everyone around. I love how Rain has body image issues much like many young girls. She is able to find some things she's passionate about like step and flag corps. I love the relationship between her and her brother.

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this novel in verse.

This book was well done, and does a great job dealing with family trauma, racism, children of divorce, negative self-image, depression, and so much more. I look forward to seeing this in classroom libraries.

Rain is keeping a secret from everyone she knows. She is sad all the time. She tries to cope, but the thoughts keep spiraling in her mind. Her brother, Xander, an out-going star athlete, is the one person she counts on most to support her, but even he can't make the sadness disappear. Rain compares herself to her friend, Nara, and never seems to be able to measure up to Nara's look, money, and out-going personality. When Xander goes on a college field trip, Rain starts to consider what her life will be like when he does leave for college and she begins to feel worse. When Xander is a victim of a hate crime on the filed trip, Rain finds herself trying to be the support for Xander that he's always been for her. She reaches out and makes new friends, joins a mental health support group, and starts to find the strength and tools to help herself and her family heal. A powerfully moving novel about facing the storms and finding the courage you need to continue living.

Thank you for writing a book in prose discussing mental health. There were many times that your book made me cry because I felt as if I was right there with Rain and her family. I also was able to identify parts of myself in the book. Thank you for opening my eyes in this way.

This was a wonderful novel written in verse - one of my favorite formats for a story. I rooted for Rain and X throughout the entire story. Their bond is beautiful and sweet.