Books to Read...When It Feels Like the End of the World

The last few years have been a doozy. Unless you've literally been hiding under a rock, you know what I'm talking about. Also, if you have been hiding under a rock, is there room for one more under there? But even when the world isn't in a state of chaos, sometimes what's happening in our individual lives still makes it feel like the end of the world. The characters in the books below can relate--and sometimes they really ARE facing the end of the world.

It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit
By Justin A. Reynolds
Scholastic Press, 2022. Fiction.

Twelve year old Eddie is grounded at home doing laundry when the power goes out. He sets out to see what's going on, meeting up with other neighbors on the way. It soon seems that not only are they the only ones left in the neighborhood, they might be the only ones left anywhere.

It's the End of the World as I Know It
By Matthew Landis
Dial Books For Young Readers, 2019. Fiction.

Since Derrick lost his mom, he's been convinced the end of the world is just around the corner. He's obsessed with a doomsday blog that tells him how to prepare to handle the impending end and is busy outfitting his shed to keep him safe and stockpiling food when the neighbor girl, Misty, reappears from a near death experience. Misty is determined to assist Derrick with his preparations and their blossoming friendship might just help them both regain their footing in life.

Race the Night
By Kirsten Hubbard
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2016. Fiction.

Eider is living with the last of humankind behind a fence on a desert ranch. She can't help but think about the world before and about a little sister who never existed. When Teacher tells the children they will be tested for "specialness", Eider and the other children start to question everything.

The World Ends In April
By Stacy McAnulty
Random House Books For Young Readers, 2019. Fiction.

When Eleanor reads an an article stating that an asteroid will hit the Earth in April, she starts a secret club at school to prepare kids for the end of the world.

Geeked Out
By Obert Skye
Henry Holt and Company, 2018. Fiction.

Even in a post apocalyptical world, school carries on! Geeky Tip and his nerdy friends start a secret vigilante group to try and save their middle school.

Comments

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Review: Super Boba Cafe

Super Boba Café By Nidhi Chanani New York: Amulet Books, 2023. Comics. 215 pages. 14-year-old Aria is excited to spend her summer in San Francisco getting quality time with her Nainai. She loves helping at her grandmother's Super Boba Café. But she can't help but notice that her grandmother is acting strange and secretive. She refuses to let Aria into the kitchen at all and she disappears at the same time each night without telling Aria where she goes. Meanwhile, Aria is eager to drum up more business for Super Boba Café. She gets a major windfall when the shop cat, Bao, surprises them by having kittens, and Aria realizes this is a major social media opportunity. She knows this will help Nainai's shop, but she is apprehensive to get back on social media after a terrible cyberbullying experience she had back home. As the shop starts to get busier, Nainai is more and more anxious about her secret project. This prompts Aria to investigate with help from her Nainai's neighb...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog