Parents' Guide to

The Electric Kingdom

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Sensitive teens struggle to survive in twisty sci-fi tale.

Book David Arnold Science Fiction 2021
The Electric Kingdom Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

Thankfulmom
Thankfulmom Parent of 13-year-old
March 19, 2021
age 14+

Deep, heavy story

This book is a more mature storyline in terms of space/time . I think it would be hard to understand for younger readers. The story unfolds beautifully after establishing what is taking place by the use of flashbacks. There is a decent amount of swearing, mostly f*** and some sh** maybe a couple of dozen times. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys peeling back the layers to get to the heart of what is happening.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

As THE ELECTRIC KINGDOM begins, 18-year-old Nico and her dog Harry travel through East Coast forests, trying to avoid that deadly Flies that have decimated humanity. They make their way to a town where the inhabitants have made a home in a local cinema. Among them are a set of twins named Lakie and Monty, an artistic tween named Kit, and an older teen called Lennon. As they travel closer to their destinations, Nico and crew grow closer to one another. None can predict the answers to their questions about reality.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

There are plenty of post-apocalyptic novels to choose from, but this near-future adventure novel presents a new way of looking at the genre. In The Electric Kingdom, David Arnold presents a band of intrepid teen travelers as they make their ways through a deadly landscape. Nico, Kit, Lennon, and the mysterious Deliverer take multiple turns in the spotlight, revealing how they've been changed by life among the Flies. Even Harry the dog is a captivating character. Revelations near the end of the novel upend expectations, leading to a conclusion that is twisty and heart-tugging. Arnold seems to make the case that stories will be what saves us when things fall apart. Readers looking for easy answers may be befuddled by the plot, but The Electric Kingdom rewards those willing to dig deeply into the text.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Electric Kingdom portrays life after an apocalypse. How is Fly Flu similar and different from COVID-19?

  • If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

  • Why is storytelling important? How do stories add perspective to our lives, and how do they change over time?

Book Details

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