June's Wild Flight
I get it: convincing your child to read these days can be tough, especially when flicking on the TV for some Netflix is so easy. But why not compromise with the best of both worlds? The Last Kids on Earth is currently a hit with YA viewers on the big N, and fans are in luck: The latest in Max Brallier’s book series, on which the show is based, just released, so there’s no better time to transition into a wacky world of zombie shenanigans.
The Last Kids on Earth (Viking Books) saga follows a diverse group of teens, aka “the coolest cats cruising through the monster and zombie apocalypse," as they fight against, well, both monsters and zombies that have taken over the world. The gang is led by 13-year-old Jack Sullivan, who lives in a treehouse with his friends Quint Baker, June Del Toro, and Dirk Savage. They pass the time doing what most teens do in the monster-zombie apocalypse: high-stakes lip sync battles, drives around the neighborhood in their custom pickup truck, and Nutella-sandwich-eating contests. Oh, and fighting against evil forces from another dimension, of course.
But enough of that; it’s time for a June solo adventure! She’s the star of Brallier’s latest book, June’s Wild Flight, which hit shelves just a few months ago. After getting separated from her friends, the bravest girl on the block and former editor of her middle school newspaper must brave the wilds outside of Wakefield, Massachusetts, to learn more about a mysterious “Tower” that threatens to bring the Destroyer of Worlds right to Earth. Along the way, she’ll encounter new allies like the goggles-wearing owl-dude Johnny Steve, as well as new foes in the form of “vine-thingies.”
Like the rest of the series, June approaches post-apocalyptic life with plenty of humor and charm. The book oozes snark and style, with June’s escapades expertly chronicled by illustrator Douglas Holgate. The delightfully cartoonish approach to the world perfectly encapsulates June’s see-sawing between acts of derring-do and comic exasperation, such as trying to explain to an evil minion how to hit a golf ball.
For newcomers to The Last Kids on Earth, June helpfully takes the time to get readers up to speed on her and her friends’ recent adventures. And there’s no better time to dive into the series, as the next volume, The Last Kids on Earth and the Skeleton Road, releases this fall. If you’re looking for a fun-filled romp through the zombie-monster apocalypse, The Last Kids on Earth: June’s Wild Flight ticks all the boxes.
Thank you to Cotton Tails, the place to find unique children's clothing and shoes, located in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, and Literacy Mid-South for sponsoring this children’s book review! Learn more about the various programs offered by Literacy Mid-South by visiting their site literacymidsouth.org and following them on Facebook and Instagram @literacymidsouth.