Save the People!

Halting Human Extinction

Contributors

By Stacy McAnulty

Illustrated by Nicole Miles

On Sale
May 10, 2022
Page Count
256 pages
ISBN-13
9780759553941

Save the People is engaging, funny, affecting and delightful. You’ll never have more fun learning science.” –Stuart Gibbs, bestselling author of the Spy School series

“Serious science and great gags, with a bit of hope thrown in.” –Steven Sheinkin, bestselling author of Bomb and Fallout


An action-packed look at past, present, and future threats to humanity’s survival—with an ultimately reassuring message that humans probably have a few more millennia in us.

Scientists estimate that 99% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct. Whoa. So, it’s not unreasonable to predict humans are doomed to become fossil records as well. But what could lead to our demise? Supervolcanos? Asteroids? The sun going dark? Climate change? All the above?!

Humans—with our big brains, opposable thumbs, and speedy Wi-Fi—may be capable of avoiding most of these nightmares. (The T. rex would be super jealous of our satellites.) But we’re also capable of triggering world-ending events. Learning from past catastrophes may be the best way to avoid future disasters.

Packed with science, jokes, and black and white illustrations, Save the People! examines the worst-case scenarios that could (but hopefully won’t) cause the greatest mass extinction—our own!

  • Praise for Save the People:

    A SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction Text for Older Readers Finalist
    A 2023 Bank Street Best Book
  • *"A casual but damning account of the future of our species, bound to turn many youngsters into climate activists."
    School Library Journal, starred review
  • “A lighthearted look at global catastrophe. (Think The Uninhabitable Earth meets Captain Underpants.)”
    New York Times Book Review
  • *“This book is full of dire facts, but it’s not doom and gloom. Its lively, conversational tone with plenty of jocular asides keeps it unintimidating and accessible…Lively writing, pertinent science, and an urgent topic make this a must-read for all.”
    Kirkus Reviews, starred review
  • “Stacy McAnulty has done the impossible: Writing a book about mass extinction that is a joy to read. Save the People is engaging, funny, affecting and delightful. You’ll never have more fun learning science.”
    Stuart Gibbs, bestselling author of the Spy School series
  • “Serious science and great gags, with a bit of hope thrown in.”
    Steve Sheinkin, author of Bomb and Fallout
  • "Cheeky banter wrapped around accessible science, a pages-long time line, charts, graphs, a bibliography, and extensive chapter notes contribute to this fresh take on saving our planet."
    Booklist
  • "What could easily come off as an apocalyptic, science-based horror story, author Stacy McAnulty instead handles with humor . . . backed by thorough research which is documented in an extensive notes section.​"
    School Library Connection

Formats and Prices

Price

$16.99

Price

$22.99 CAD

Format


Stacy McAnulty

About the Author

Stacy McAnulty is a bestselling and award-winning children’s book author and former mechanical engineer (and before that—like, in fourth grade—she was an aspiring astronaut). Her love of math and science is reflected in most of her books. She writes chapter books; middle-grade novels, including The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl; and picture books, including Pluto! Not a Planet? Not a Problem!. She has not seen a UAP or received a message from deep space—yet! Originally from New York, she now lives in North Carolina with her family. Stacy invites you to visit her online at stacymcanulty.com.

Learn more about this author