Claire Swinarski’s “What Happened to Rachel Riley?” is an interesting & engaging middle-grade novel that delves into the complexities of middle school friendships, social dynamics, and the power of truth. The story follows Anna Hunt, a new student at East Middle School, as she becomes intrigued by the mysterious transformation of Rachel Riley, once one of the most popular girls in school, into a soci
al outcast.
Anna, a budding podcaster, sees an opportunity to investigate Rachel’s situation, create a compelling narrative and, maybe, win herself a spot at an upcoming podcast camp. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and misunderstandings that have led to Rachel’s isolation. The novel explores themes of sexual harassment, bullying and the importance of standing up for what is right. Additionally, it explores the concept of consent and the importance of respecting others’ boundaries. (Sort of. But I’ll come back to that.)
Swinarski captures the intense emotions, insecurities, and social pressures of middle school. The main characters are reasonably well-developed and relatable, with Anna serving as a strong and empathetic protagonist. Rachel, though initially enigmatic, is revealed to be a complex and sympathetic figure who has been unfairly targeted. I loved Anna’s family with her law professor mom, stay at home lawyer dad who makes delicious meals and her nerdy and very supportive older sister Nik. Anna, as the sometimes quiet kid who loves to read and struggles to relate to other kids at times reminded me of myself at that age. She’s curious, compassionate and determined as well.
The novel’s narrative structure is engaging, with a mix of diary entries, emails, text messages, and podcast scripts – an epistolary story using social media instead of letters. Though sometimes a little confusing, this approach allows readers to gain multiple perspectives on the events, fostering a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and the intricate social dynamics at play.
I did have a few issues with the book, however. First, for a book that deals with consent & boundaries, the major conceit of the story – Anna creates a podcast about her fellow student even after said student asks her not to – suggests that invading people’s privacy is okay if, like Anna, you just really want an answer. It felt strangely hypocritical. Second, for a modern story (set in 2021) that takes place largely amongst eighth graders, the complete lack of mention of LGBTQ+ characters, gender identity, profanity, etc., did not read true to me. Also, as someone who ‘s worked with middle schoolers for years now, I had a really hard time believing that it took so long for one of Anna’s classmates to spill; middle schoolers LOVE drama and they want to tell you their stories!
Overall, “What Happened to Rachel Riley?” is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with middle-grade readers. I had hoped it would be something I could recommend to my grade 7 and 8 students but the book definitely reads younger than I had expected; I’ll be recommending it more often to my grade 5s and 6s instead. It is a timely and important story that encourages young people to think critically about their own actions and to stand up for what they believe in. 4/5
****
As I was writing this review, I discovered that the author Claire Swinarski is the founder of a podcast called “The Catholic Feminist” & writes a Substack called “Letters from a Catholic Feminist”; a surface look at both (& their associated IG) explains some of my issues with this book. It doesn’t change that I enjoyed this book or that I think kids could benefit from reading this book but it does temper my enthusiasm. And it definitely means I won’t purchase another of her books for my library.