Into the Rapids

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.

“Braden successfully explores the inner determination and strength of her characters, accomplishing in under 200 pages what many longer books fail to achieve. Each sentence holds a nugget of wisdom that will touch the reader. But don’t blink, or you’ll miss details that will take you through the rapids to a satisfying conclusion.” —Booklist“Addy adores her mother, and the duo take pride in their ability to be self-sufficient. However, Addy’s mother struggles with grief, anxiety, and panic attacks, and Addy worries about dealing with those mental health issues alone. She looks at the townspeople’s connections with one another and wonders what it would be like if she were a part of their community. . . . Multiple traumatic events, including a superstorm reminiscent of the one that took her dad’s life, as well as an unexpected friendship with a childhood nemesis, encourage Abby to branch out as she learns to trust other people and accept them in her life. Addy is a likable character who readers will identify with and want to succeed. Her outdoor activities are presented in an exciting and interactive way that is utterly engaging. Friendships are genuine and relatable, and Braden powerfully expresses the importance of relationships and community. The depiction of mental health struggles will be helpful for young readers, and practical strategies are offered to understand and manage them. A heartfelt, feel-good story about the importance of emotional connections set against outdoor adventures.” —School Library Journal