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.

Author: Ann Braden
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Published: 05/13/2025
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780593856369
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2025
Booklist 04/01/2025 pg. 114
School Library Journal 05/09/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Ann Braden is also the author of Opinions and Opossums and Flight of the Puffin. She writes books about kids trying to stand up for themselves even when things are tough. Her debut middle grade novel, The Benefits of Being an Octopus, was an NPR Best Book. Ann founded the Local Love Brigade, which sends love postcards to those who are facing hate. She also founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group that helped pass landmark gun violence prevention legislation. Ann has been a middle school teacher, the co-host of the children's book podcast Lifelines: Books That Bridge the Divide, and co-organizer of #KidsNeedMentors. Ann lives in southern Vermont with her husband, two children, and two insatiable cats.