Review by Booklist Review
This upbeat offering manages to cheerfully summarize the history of the world through mass extinctions. While that might sound macabre, the author maintains that it's important to understand the past before we can do anything about the future. Engaging, graphics-rich chapters trace how life on earth pivoted after each of the five major mass extinction events (all long before humans arrived), delve into dangers that have always affected human survival (asteroids, supervolcanoes, war, disease, overpopulation), and then relate almost all of this material directly to our greatest challenge: climate change. Despite detailed descriptions of calamities and symptoms and comparative casualty charts, the book's overall tone is reassuring. Early on, readers are told that it takes courage to look at these difficult events, are warned when something particularly disturbing is coming up (Hiroshima, COVID-19), and are congratulated upon reaching the solutions and action steps listed on the final pages. Cheeky banter wrapped around accessible science, a pages-long time line, charts, graphs, a bibliography, and extensive chapter notes contribute to this fresh take on saving our planet.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up--McAnulty doesn't hold back in this grim but entertaining book that documents a variety of ways that homo sapiens might become the next extinct species. the author addresses readers directly, recognizing fears and acknowledging that this text may not be for the faint of heart. In a casual and humorous tone, she moves from the history of the earth through historic mass extinctions, onto current potential threats to humanity. She emphasizes that the earth itself will likely survive while humans, a mere speck in the planet's history, may not. A final section addresses what is happening today, finally coming to the topic of climate change and how our choices will inevitably make us the "heroes or villains" of our story. The book has a narrative feel and is interspersed with a few black-and-white illustrations. Though it has substantial back matter and an index, it is best read from start to finish rather than used as a reference text. The content is thoroughly researched and presented accurately, clearly, and with humor. McAnulty also addresses philosophical queries, such as humankind's responsibility to each other and to the non-human animals on earth. She makes clear that science is to be trusted and climate change is real, debunking some misunderstandings and falsehoods on the topic. VERDICT A casual but damning account of the future of our species, bound to turn many youngsters into climate activists. While this book won't appeal to all readers, particularly those with anxiety, it is an essential purchase for nonfiction collections.--Clara Hendricks
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A comprehensive look at the state of planet Earth. This book is full of dire facts, but it's not doom and gloom. Its lively, conversational tone with plenty of jocular asides keeps it unintimidating and accessible. Part I gives a brief, clear history of the cosmos and planet Earth and, particularly, its five earlier extinction events, which wiped out at least 75% of species. Part II discusses possible threats for a sixth extinction event, including asteroids, supervolcanoes, diseases, overpopulation, and war. Each is dissected in a way that manages to be more compellingly informative than scaremongering. Part III, entitled "What's Going Wrong Today," is where things get a bit terrifying. Climate change is scrutinized with the available facts and real-world examples--and the results are grim. But any good science book will leave readers feeling empowered, and that is the case here. An easy-to-understand checklist of things readers can do is provided along with the science that backs up these seemingly how-could-this-possibly-make-a-difference actions (eating less meat, for example). The book has loads of fun, interesting data; impeccable organization; and an enjoyable, nonpatronizing tone. Young readers will appreciate that this book is talking to them, not at them. It's difficult to write a science-based book about the possible demise of the human species and make it empowering and entertaining, but this one does it. Final art not seen. Lively writing, pertinent science, and an urgent topic make this a must-read for all. (author's note, glossary, source notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-17) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
