54 pages • 1 hour read
Claire SwinarskiWhat Happened To Rachel Riley?
Nonfiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 5-9Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 5 Summary
On October 3, Anna looks up a news article from June of the previous year that describes a fire breaking out at Kincaid Farms Event Barn. Reportedly, a minor who was trespassing unintentionally set the fire. It canceled a dance scheduled for later that night for the East Middle School seventh graders.
Cody and an unnamed person message about his absence at the Harvest Fest this year. He claims that things feel different both because of the barn fire and because of “the other stuff too” (87).
On October 5, Principal Howe emails the parents of the eighth graders, thanking them for making the fundraiser a success.
On October 6, Elizabeth, one of Anna’s classmates, passes her a note asking her to join the Global Leaders Club. She then has to write a note to their teacher, Mrs. Cleary, apologizing for writing notes in class.
On October 7, Anna records an interview with Rachel. Rachel refuses to help Anna with her podcast application. Anna brings up the fire, and Rachel states that she “can’t deny” being the person who set it. However, she refuses to answer further questions about the fire being unintentional or what Rachel might have been doing at the barn at midnight.
