Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Delves deeply into doomsday scenarios with wit and hope.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Humans are responsible for the extinction of many species, and "one of these days, it's bound to be our turn" according to HOW TO SURVIVE THE END OF THE WORLD. This graphic novel takes up the possibilities, including plagues, pandemics, volcanic eruptions, nuclear war, climate change, artificial intelligence, and cosmic collapse. It also considers work-arounds and fixes—for example, medical research to combat deadly disease, and a deflection plan for an Earth-bound asteroid. History, mythology, scientific fact, sci-fi conjecture, and philosophy fill the pages with a warren of complex information and ideas. The book concludes by acknowledging that it takes courage to consider extinction and ways to change that ending, humility to admit that there are things we cannot change or understand, and wisdom to see ourselves as part of a vast human story. Back matter includes suggestions for further reading, acknowledgments, and source notes.
Is It Any Good?
Going on the theory that nothing lasts forever, this mind-blowing graphic novel delves deeply into the eventual inevitability of human extinction. Based on extensive research and stimulating conjecture, many possible doomsday scenarios fill the strategically designed pages of How to Survive the End of the World. Visual aids, comic book-like sequences, "Ask the Expert" sections, bold art, and speech bubble narratives meld disparate information and ideas into a whole, packed with interesting asides for existential questions like "What happens when we run out of resources?" "Is AI a tool to kill or to cure?" "What does it mean to be human?" The package is both stimulating and disturbing. For some, it might be too much. For others, it is a rich warren of history, mythology, science, fantasy, and philosophy, all ingeniously interconnected with a touch of humor, the ironic title being just one example. This masterful graphic novel provides an expert tutorial on the preeminent but precarious human condition, and it is a stellar example of inventive, crossover nonfiction. Young adults and older ones too will find much here to think about and to keep them up at night.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what might lead to the extinction of humanity after reading How to Survive the End of the World. What current events seem threatening? How might those threats be avoided or eliminated?
What do you think about the way facts and ideas are presented in this graphic novel? Is the format up to the task of presenting such a complex subject, so much information, and so many probing ideas?
A young woman serves as a guide through the apocalyptic scenarios in this book. In what ways does she show courage, curiosity, and strong communication skills? Do you share any of these character strengths? If so, how?
This book covers past and present. It also engages in conjecture about the future. Of the potential futures explored, which do you most want to come to reality? Which might be the best possible outcomes for humanity? Why?
The book talks about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. What do you think about aliens?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Katy Doughty
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Activism ( Climate change ) , Aliens , History , Space , STEM ( AI )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Curiosity
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : MiTeenPress
- Publication date : March 31, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 248
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : May 6, 2026
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