The World Ends in April

By: Stacy McAnulty

Narrated by: Jessica Almasy

Is middle school drama scarier than an asteroid heading for Earth? Find out in this smart and funny novel by the author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl.

Every day in middle school can feel like the end of the world.

Eleanor Dross knows a thing or two about the end of the world, thanks to a survivalist grandfather who stockpiles freeze-dried food and supplies--just in case. So when she reads about a Harvard scientist's prediction that an asteroid will strike Earth in April, Eleanor knows her family will be prepared. Her classmates? They're on their own!

Eleanor has just one friend she wants to keep safe: Mack. They've been best friends since kindergarten, even though he's more of a smiley emoji and she's more of an eye-roll emoji. They'll survive the end of the world together . . . if Mack doesn't go away to a special school for the blind.

But it's hard to keep quiet about a life-destroying asteroid--especially at a crowded lunch table--and soon Eleanor is the president of the (secret) End of the World Club. It turns out that prepping for TEOTWAWKI (the End of the World as We Know It) is actually kind of fun. But you can't really prepare for everything life drops on you. And one way or another, Eleanor's world is about to change.

Critic reviews

Praise for The World Ends in April:

"A smart, funny and emotionally candid book."—Shelf Awareness, starred review

“The novel has an exceptional grasp of melancholy that leaves an impact even after its philosophical ending.” —Bulletin

“ A well-paced, engrossing plot with endearing characters."—Booklist

Praise for The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl:

"Unique and utterly satisfying."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Prepare to fall in love."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Lucy's journey is beautifully authentic in this debut brimming with warmth, wisdom, and math."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

“McAnulty’s well-drawn cast of characters grapple with the difficulties of middle school, friendships, and life. An engaging story, full of heart and hope. Readers of all ages will root for Lucy, aka Lightning Girl. No miscalculations here!” —Kate Beasley, author of Gertie’s Leap to Greatness

"Fresh story, great characters, a winner!" —Barbara O'Connor, author of Wish

"The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl is calculated to steal your heart!" - Alan Gratz author of Ban This Book and Refugee

Listened to this with my granddaughter

The story was interesting for my 12 year old granddaughter and me. We definitely wanted to know how the story would end.

It...could have been better

This book was pretty good. I found the plot pretty interesting and suspenseful, but the ending was a little...disappointing. I feel like it could have been way better if what they expected had actually happened. I liked the writing and the narrator fit the main character very well, but I just think it could have been a lot better in a few ways.

Great for kids

I love how the made this into a kids book my granddaughter loved this funny,interesting book

Soooooo Good

I love it! It is such a great book. I love El and Mack and lundon.

Camry’s Review

I love this book it made so interested in space and being prepared for disasters.Thank you