Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature themes explored in angsty end-of-the-world story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say the book elicits a mix of strong reactions, with some appreciating its realistic portrayal of mental illness, relatable characters, and humor, while others find it overly depressing, inappropriate, and laden with profanity. Many reviews commend the integration of LGBTQ+ themes and the authenticity of the teenage experience, making it a worthwhile read despite its controversial topics.
- realistic characters
- mental illness
- inappropriate content
- LGBTQ+ themes
- relatable humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Henry Denton was 13 the first time he was abducted by aliens and taken to their spaceship for experimentation. Three years and multiple abductions have passed since then, and the aliens have finally made Henry understand that in a little over three months, Earth and everything on it is going to be destroyed --- unless Henry chooses to save the world by pushing a big red button. But since his boyfriend, Jesse, committed suicide last year, Henry hasn't seen that there's much of life worth preserving. Surely he and his struggling family would all be better off if they just ceased to exist? Enter new student Diego, a handsome artist with a dark past, who shows Henry through his paintings and his appreciation of the world's beauty, that even if WE ARE THE ANTS, we're here, we matter, and no one can take that away from us.
Is It Any Good?
Shaun David Hutchinson's compelling story has a surprisingly relatable hero, takes on a lot, and provides much food for thought for mature teens wondering what life's really about. Henry's voice is believable and provides a firm anchor for navigating what in less-capable hands would be a confusing jumble of family dysfunction, grief, alien abduction, love, bullying, and friendship -- in short, the whole teen experience.
Henry's inability to see anything positive gets frustrating sometimes. And the conclusion has a bit of a magic-wand feel to it that leaves a cynical aftertaste. But mature teens who are wondering about their place in the world and how they'll ever be able to cope with life's enormity will learn a lot from going on this strange, dark journey with Henry.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about coping with depression. What are some good resources you can turn to if you or someone you love might suffer from depression?
Why are books and movies about the end of the world so popular? Why are we so fascinated by the possibility? Which of Henry's scenarios for how it happens seemed most realistic to you?
If you could prevent the end of the world by pushing a button, would you push it? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon Pulse
- Publication date : January 19, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 464
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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