Common Sense Media Review
By Karen Wirsing
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Witty repartee boosts Southern belle-turned-superhero tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
REBEL BELLE is the story of 16-year-old Harper Price, a quirky Southern debutante turned superhero. Harper longs for the days when the traditional Southern belle dilemma consisted of deciding which lip gloss color went best with her homecoming dress. However, those once-upon-a-time minute details seem superfluous when she finds herself on the bathroom floor with the history teacher holding a knife to her throat. Talk about being at the wrong place at the wrong time! Harper takes over the role of the last Paladin when witnessing the death of her school's janitor. Her newest obligation: keeping the last living oracle alive. The problem with this objective, other than risking her own life to save others, is that the oracle happens to be her long time rival, David Stark.
Is It Any Good?
When New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins pitched this book to her publishers, she described it as "Legally Blonde meets The Terminator" -- and somehow, she pulls it off. The first few pages will have readers wondering whether they can endure an entire book filled with over-the-top teen jibber-jabber such as, "like totally" and "Omigod," but eventually the characters come to life with relatable qualities and real-life issues.
The chatty and quick-witted repartee between characters becomes a major part of Rebel Belle's charm, along with the fact that the heroine, Harper Price, makes a pretty fierce warrior.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why fantasy books with mages and witches are so popular.What others have you read?
Families can also discuss the importance of folklore and legends. What place to they have in literature?
Rebel Belle includes some graphically described violent scenes against a fantastical backdrop. Does a fantasy setting make violence easier to handle?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Putnam Juvenile
- Publication date : April 24, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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