Decent middle-grade storytelling. Not my fave, but it did keep me interested. I would def recommend to adventure-seeking young readers.

There is a lot to love about this book, especially for middle graders. The length, the survival story, the characters, the lessons, the writing….

Addy is determined to make it to survival camp, even though the power is out, the bridge is washed away, and she has major worries weighing on her. Can she trust her classmate Caleb to help her? Can she help him, too? Kids will eat up this adventure story. So relatable!

Thanks to NetGalley, Ann Braden and Penguin for the advance reading copy.

Trigger warnings: death of a loved one, drowning.

Ann has done it again! Another gem of a book confronting the lived experiences of children of depressed parents and providing hope.in a real, meaningful way. Addy is an infant when her dad dies and she is determined to make him proud by following in his footsteps as a survivalist at camp. When a rainstorm, power outage and flood threaten Addy's plan for camp, she reluctanly turns go her neighbor Caleb. Together, they face the rapids of the local river and their own lives becoming friends along the way. Students will love the suspense within the book and recognize pieces of themselves in both Addy and Caleb. Bravo, Ann!

I have read Ann Braden's books, and this was one was solid. I enjoyed seeing Addy face her fears and learn to express her agency in different situations. It was also sweet to see her try to help her mom cope with the loss of her dad.

I felt like the book was a little shallow and I wanted to see more depth from the characters or at least another 50 pages where we could see the full course of their growth. The didacticism in the book was also a little off putting - it seemed like every other chapter ended with a moral lesson on how to be a good person, not be a bully, etc. While that's not always a bad thing, it did get old after a while.

I think kids will enjoy the adventure aspect of the book, and it was definitely giving me Hatchet vibes. I just wanted a little bit more though.

One of my favorite books growing up was Hatchet by Gary Paulson. I’d like to think that it was partly responsible for shaping my drive for experiencing adventures out in the wild world, as the story has stuck with me to adulthood.
Into the Rapids feels like a modern nod to many of the same themes as Hatchet, in a very approachable way. The main character (Addy) is not only pushed to stretch her physical limits, but to also bump against the boundaries of her emotional and interpersonal borders too.
This book reads in a way that will be easier for kids today to connect with, and would be an excellent introduction to the “person vs. nature” and “person vs. self” concepts.
I can’t wait for this to be published! I’ll be recommending that my local library purchase it, as well as writing a review for my local bookstore to display when I ask them to stock it as well. When I get a physical copy I will be using it as part of our homeschooling curriculum this summer!

When river flooding cuts off friendless Addy and her town, also taking out the power, Addy is worried she won't be able to make it to a survival camp for 12-year-olds she's been preparing to attend for years. The flooding is not the only problem though, as her mother is fighting depression after Addy's father was killed in a river/car accident when Addy was very young--which Addy barely survived--and her neighbor Caleb begins having panic attacks thinking about death and attending a new school. As Addy works to help both her mother and Caleb, she starts coming out of her shell, realizing she's also been "hiding out" from being part of a bigger community the same as her mother does, Soon, Addy and Caleb make a plan to get Addy to camp despite the closed roads, which evolves into using a canoe in the river. But when Addy tries to go it alone on the rapids, she faces challenges she must overcome, finally learning that life is about more than just reaching one goal. Younger middle grade readers who prefer nature-themed adventures will enjoy this title.

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.

When flooding washes out the bridge by Addy's house, she must find a way to get to Survival Camp. Addy has planned to attend Survival Camp for a long time; it's where her parents met. With the help of her neighbor, Caleb, Addy finds out how to take risks and trust others to help her.

For fans of survival books like hatchet. The book hits many deep topics in a well written way. Readers will relate to the characters in the story making it more real. Loved the length. Easy to recommend

A huge storm knocks out the bridge to middle schooler Addy's town, and with it Addy's chances to get to Survival Camp. In the meantime, her mom's depression, the search for a missing elderly neighbor, and navigating an unexpected new friendship weigh on Addy. When the time comes to make the trip to camp, Addy wants to test her limits - both at trusting others and taking care of herself.
This is a quick and plotty read that will be a great match for kids who love survival stories. Addy has undeniable strengths, but her places to grow will keep her relatable to young readers.
As an adult, my biggest quip with this title is that in some ways it moved too quickly for the character growth to make sense. Addy and her mom are both largely healing from their complex emotional traumas by the end of the book. However, I don't think kid readers will bothered by that aspect - and action lovers will appreciate Addy's exciting but also fraught journey down the river.

I really enjoyed this book. This is a fast paced adventure book for middle grade students. The characters were easy to connect too and the story portrayed so many emotions. Addy and her mom were grieving the death of Addy's father while also being put in a scenario similar to what caused his death. I really liked how by the end of the book Addy and her mom found the support of the community and were on the way to making new friends. This is definitely a book that will keep the attention of my middle school students and that they will connect too and enjoy!

This is a coming-of-age story about Addy, a young girl whose plans to attend a survival camp are threatened by a severe storm that isolates her remote mountain town. The storm triggers her mother's grief over Addy's father's death, and the isolation forces Addy to confront her lack of connection with her community. When she repeatedly encounters her classmate Caleb, whom she previously considered an enemy, she begins to see him in a new light. Caleb's concern for a missing neighbor and his ability to rally community support impress Addy. He offers to help her reach the camp, leading her to question her preconceived notions about him and prompting her to take a leap of faith. Their journey by canoe becomes a test of her survival skills and a catalyst for personal growth. Addy learns the importance of community, trust, and overcoming her fear of vulnerability, ultimately realizing that she is not alone in life's challenges.

Ann Braden is a masterful storyteller who brings so much emotion to her story and characters. Readers will be rooting for Addy in this story of grief, resilience, and community.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for this honest review.

While the intensity of the subject matter (traumatic death of a parent, panic attacks…but also finding community and living after trauma) would cause me to choose carefully the middle schooler to whom I would recommend Into the Rapids, the storyline was fast-paced and engaging.
4⭐️. When considering this for my school shelves though I would need to weigh the pull of a well-told story against theology presented that is contrary to what I teach about the hope of eternal life.

Addy and her mother have kept to themselves in their somewhat remote home in the Green Mountains of Vermont ever since her father's death when she was a toddler. The two don't even interact with their nearest neighbors, the Tollands, even though the son, Caleb, goes to school with Addy. He hasn't been all that nice to her, calling her "batty Addy", and she doesn't have other friends. She is excited about going to middle school at Windhaven Regional, which is a 40 minute trip. When a bad storm knocks out a nearby bridge as well as the power in the area, it makes things a bit difficult, although Addy and her mother are fairly well prepared. Addy is concerned that she won't be able to get to the school to participate in the Survival Camp, and since that's where her parents met, she really wants to go. Not only that, but she's been practicing the recommended survival skills, and wants to do really well. She keeps running into Caleb on a hill near their homes, since cell signals are hard to get. Keeping lines of communication open is important, since Addy's mother isn't doing well with the weather situation, especially since Addy's father died when the car the entire family was in got swept into a rain swollen river. Addy helps by texting Marcy, her mother's therapist, a letter her mother has written, and getting a response, which seems to help. The skills she's acquired helping her mom come in handy when Caleb has a panic attack. He's been obsessed with death, and since a neighbor, Ike Horvath, is missing in the flood, and his mother wants him to go to a high pressure private school, Caleb has been spiraling into fears about the shortness of life. The neighbors are pulling together to get supplies, and are even building an emergency bridge to get water to the community, but while Caleb and his family are in the thick of these plans, Addy and her mother are isolated and know nothing about them. When he finds out that Addy really wants to get to the survival camp, he plans an elaborate route for her to get there, which includes going with his firefighter father across the bridge, getting a ride from a woman who is visiting her sister, and canoeing part of the way. Her mother is doing well enough that she agrees that Addy can go. Since Addy has not canoed much (although she has practiced her skills on dry land), Caleb starts the trip with her. When she goes off on her own, it doesn't take long before Addy capsizes the canoe, is injured, and must use her survival skills to actually survive. In the meantime, the entire community is looking for her, and her mother takes her predicament better than expected. When she returns, injured, her mother steps up to take care of her. Ike has been found dead, and Addy goes to the funeral. The community rallies around Addy and her mother, with Eileen the firefighter helping Addy's mother repair the generator and car, and encouraging her to attend the local Labor Day picnic. Addy's discussions about panic attacks helps Caleb talk to his mother about his fears, and she is okay with him not going to the private school, and even arranges therapy for him. Even though climate related extreme weather is an ongoing concern, Addy is glad to have finally connected with her community.
Strengths: This is a quick read, and comes in at well under 200 pages, which is something a lot of middle grade gatekeepers have been requesting. Braden draws on her own experience of having been in a plane crash that killed her father, and having to navigate life under those circumstances to draw a nuanced portrait of Addy, who has cut herself off from her community as a way to cope. Caleb is a nice foil for her; he has more social skills, but fewer coping mechanisms, and the two help each other out quite a bit. It was good to see the community finally step up to help Addy and her mother. Survival stories are always popular, and readers who were enthralled by Richard's 15 Secrets to Survival, Philbrick's Wild River or Hashimoto's Off the Map will enjoy reading about Addy's ill fated canoe trip.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been another reason that Addy took off in the canoe, rather than getting to survival camp. Given the horrible weather, I can't imagine her mother agreeing to let her go alone, since the mother didn't seem to have a cell phone of her own. As much as Addy wanted to go to camp, it also seemed like she wouldn't have wanted to leave her mother when she was in a fragile state.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are fans of Braden's work (The Benefits of Being an Octopus (2018), Flight of the Puffin (2021), Opinions and Opossums (2023) )or like survival stories with a foundation of grief or family and mental health issues like Rose's The Burning Season or Pla's The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn.

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”

I LOVED reading Into The Rapids! You have done it again! Accessible characters dealing with situations we all do to some extent! Mid Grade readers will love the adventures and the friendships/sense of community that Addy (and her mom!!!) cultivate in the book. I loved when she did not leave/stayed with Caleb for the funeral - she was so mindful about her growing friendship with him!!!! This story is also a great example/lesson in relative problems in ones' life - others may have it "worse" but that does not mean your situation is not less worse to you. I wrote down the quote... "It can always be worse but that doesn't mean it's good"

I think I should probably stop requesting books about survivalism, because they never seem to hold my attention.

Into the Rapids
Ann Braden
Addy’s father attended Survival Camp and wrote his name on the ceiling. He and Addy’s mother met at the camp. For years Addy has planned to go the same Survival Camp; she wants to sign her name on the ceiling next to her father’s. Addy wants to connect with her father in some manner. Her father died in a Superstorm when she was a baby.
A superstorm hits the small mountain town in Vermont. The storm leaves the area without power, the bridge was washed out and the area flooded. Caleb was a classmate of Addy; they weren’t friends, as a matter of fact she thought of Caleb as an enemy. He is concerned about the welfare of Ike, a neighbor, who is missing and presumed dead. The town is searching for Ike. Addy and her mother have secluded themselves from everyone. While they live in a community, they have never allowed themselves to become part of the community. Addy is shocked to see people helping each other. When Caleb formulates a way to get Addy to her camp, she is amazed to see people caring about each other.
Addy is concerned about leaving her mother at home alone. The storm has brought back bad memories. Without power her mother has no way of contacting her therapist. Addy is amazed that so many people would help her, a person they do not know.
This is a beautiful story. The intended audience is middle school age students. Author Ann Braden offers readers a realistic tale of fiction. The topic is relevant and will touch many. Readers will be touched by the distress, anguish, apprehension, and despair shown in this tale. But fear not there is also promise, family, acceptance, and closeness in this tale. The characters are amazing. There is a lesson to learn from this tale “People need people and its ok to ask for help.”
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Loved this latest Ann Braden novel about bravery, trust, survival, friendship, and resilience. Addy can’t wait to go to Survival Camp and sign her name just like her parents did even though her dad is gone now. When the bridge is washed out near her home Addy finds out she won’t be able to leave. She ends up talking to Caleb who was mean to her once, and they slowly become friends. When Addy’s travel plans change she and Caleb take off in a canoe. When they get to one point, Caleb jumps out but Addy takes off. Little does she realize there are challenges ahead with the rushing river. Will she be okay? Does she ever get to camp?
Thanks to the publisher and Nancy Paulsen books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the advanced review copy!
This is a fantastic middle grade survival book! It's short overall and has short chapters, which my students gravitate towards. The pacing is also really fast - there are no filler chapters here, everything is written with the goal of advancing the story. I loved all the characters and that Braden didn't shy away from having tragic events unfold. There were also so many beautifully written lines that I highlighted while reading - the writing in here is really well done. This was my first Ann Braden book, but I will definitely be checking out more of her novels, and will be purchasing this book for my classroom library once it releases.