Review by Booklist Review
Four days until the end of the world. These are the conditions under which Kemi, an 11-year-old statistics enthusiast, decides to assemble a time-capsule record of her family for the next Earthlings to find after the incoming asteroid destroys all life. In a story ultimately about trauma, grief, and the life that continues after, Kemi's countdown to the apocalypse reveals itself to be about a different--and more personal--end-of-days. Nigerian American Kemi's unreliable narration adds depth to an already poignant and emotionally complex story about the ripple effects of violence (including gun and racial violence) and loss. While initial apocalyptic world building may feel conspicuously unexplored, the reconciliation of Kemi's version of events with the truth provides much-needed explanations, and the emotional through-line of Kemi's reckoning with mortality ties the two narratives together in an effective reveal that careful readers may anticipate. Amidst the catastrophe, the charming characters of Kemi's family add humor and warmth to Everett's middle-grade debut. An empathetic, unflinching portrayal of childhood bereavement, this gut-punch of a story brings familiar themes from Everett's YA works to a younger readership.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
After learning that an asteroid is set to destroy Earth, a sixth grader builds a time capsule to commemorate her family in this pensive read from Everett (How to Live Without You). With her parents and younger sister Lo, 11-year-old Nigerian American Kemi Carter, an aspiring scientist obsessed with probability statistics, makes up one of the few Black families living in a predominantly white neighborhood. And despite some tension with a prejudiced neighbor, Kemi feels that she has a pretty good life with a loving family. So when she learns that there's an 84.7% chance that Earth will be destroyed in four days by asteroid Amplus-68, Kemi determines to collect her family members' "most important stuff, the things we love most," to create a time capsule, hoping that their memory will survive even after they're gone. But as her family and friends go about their lives, Kemi feels as if she's the only person taking their seemingly imminent demise--and her time capsule--seriously. Kemi's astute voice resonates with a deep love and loyalty for her family, rendering her insistence in honoring them and subsequent narrative reveals as heartrending, hopeful, and palpably felt. Ages 8--12. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Nigerian American Kemi Carter, 11, considers herself a scientist, in particular a scientist of probability. When a giant asteroid, AMPLUS-68 has an 84.7 percent chance of hitting Earth in four days, Kemi decides to create a time capsule to make sure future earthlings know how incredible her family was. They may not be famous, or have invented anything, but each member of Kemi's family deserves to be remembered for what makes them special. While gathering items from her family, including her pregnant mom, little sister, and cousins, she realizes she doesn't know what one item represents her dad. He recently left his time-demading job to be with their family, and their move to a predominantly white neighborhood has had bumps, with some not accepting them because of their race. As the apocalypse quickly approaches, Kemi finds each family member supportive of her plan, but continues to seek out her dad's true passion. As the countdown progresses, readers will likely be contemplating their own time on Earth, when a huge plot twist hits. Everett has woven together big themes of racism, mortality, and grief with a heartbreaking story that will stick with readers long after the conclusion. Teachers will find much to discuss, making it a perfect choice for read-alouds or book groups. VERDICT Thought-provoking and utterly unique, this is an impactful book that deserves a place in all middle grade classrooms and libraries.--Michele Shaw
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An 11-year-old girl processes the end of her world and prepares for a new beginning. What happens after the world ends? Kemi Carter contemplates this as she counts down the last four days before a possible apocalypse brought about by the looming presence of Amplus-68. The asteroid has an 84.7% chance of colliding with Earth. Keen scientist Kemi knows that the likelihood of survival is slim. She looks up facts about asteroids and investigates what the end of the world would be like, but she realizes that her family members are handling this differently than she is. Kemi decides to start a time capsule preserving something each of them loves so "the next earthlings could find it and know about us." As Kemi, who has an African American dad and a Nigerian mom, gathers mementos, she reflects on what life has been like since they moved to their new, prosperous, primarily White neighborhood--a change that has brought complications. These memories lead up to a shocking plot twist that will have readers questioning her reality. Everett skillfully uses Kemi's love of facts and statistics to process her feelings; as the story slowly reaches its climax, this element helps tie its many themes together. Individual family members are fleshed out as they share stories of their cherished possessions and demonstrate their support of Kemi in various ways. This realistically drawn, gut-wrenching novel will stick with readers long after they've finished reading. A powerful exploration of grief. (author's note, resources) (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
