Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thought-provoking, epic sci-fi about the next pandemic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
ALL BETTER NOW tells the story of how three teens deal with a new variant of the coronavirus called Crown Royale. The mortality rate is very high among people who get the virus, but those who survive experience a profound change for the better, they believe. Their senses are heightened, and they feel happy and at peace with themselves and the world around them. Many people who haven't been infected are afraid of the changes they see in "recoverees" and want a vaccine discovered and distributed as soon as possible, before society as they know it collapses. Ron, who's 16, survives the virus as an "alpha spreader," meaning he can infect people even after he recovers. Mariel, also 16, wishes Ron could infect her, but she has a natural immunity. They're forced to go on the run when Ron's father wants to isolate his family until the new pandemic is over. Meanwhile 19-year-old Morgan has come in to a large fortune and wants to channel all her resources into finding a vaccine and ridding the world of Crown Royale for good. And it turns out that Mariel's immunity is the key to Morgan's getting what she wants. Other powerful people are also trying to influence events for their own reasons. So when Ron, Mariel, Morgan, and an army of recoverees end up at the same remote research lab in Norway, is there any way they'll all get out, with or without the virus and the vaccine?
Is It Any Good?
This is a thought-provoking, sweeping epic of speculative fiction by veteran author Neal Shusterman. All Better Now may even win over some readers who haven't enjoyed science fiction yet. There's a huge cast of colorful characters navigating a familiar world with plenty of humor and determination. The story is very well plotted, takes readers to interesting locations, and keeps the pages turning. Shusterman doesn't spoon-feed answers to the many important questions he poses about how we'll handle another pandemic, and how to handle a fundamentally divided society. There are also lots of other questions about morality and truth, both in individuals and in institutions ranging from a grassroots collective to a medical research lab. Teens will root for Ron and Mariel as they struggle to understand their world and how to navigate it when it's changing fast.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in All Better Now. Is it too much? Does it help tell the story? Is reading about it different from seeing it in videos, games, and other visual media? If so, how?
What about the strong language? Is it realistic? Does that matter? Are swearing and profanity a big deal? Why, or why not?
The characters and story present very different ways of thinking about the new virus and what to do about it. Do you agree with a particular side? Why? Or are you not sure how something like this should be handled?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : STEM
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : February 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 528
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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