IZZY AT THE END OF THE WORLD

An autistic girl must rescue her family after alien monsters crash to Earth.

Fourteen-year-old Isadora Wilder is enjoying a cozy evening with her grandparents and Maple, her beloved little sister, when suddenly, eerie lights beam down from the sky and her family inexplicably vanishes. Only Izzy and her loyal dog, Akka, remain. But she’s not alone; vicious monsters have landed in Vermont, intent on destroying Earth. Though autism and anxiety make it difficult for Izzy to process loud noises and other stimuli, she’s determined to find her family. She receives unexpected aid via mementos of her mother, who died of cancer a year before and who, like Izzy, had depression: A journal filled with cryptic clues and a CD of strangely pertinent songs map the way to her family’s possible location—but what else will Izzy find there? Her mother’s presence persists as Izzy battles monsters and navigates a desolate landscape. Along the way, she befriends fellow survivor Raven Barradell, an asthmatic gender-nonconforming boy who is also bisexual and has anxiety. But when Izzy makes a devastating discovery, her resolve threatens to crumble, endangering them both. Readers may connect the dots well before Izzy, and the frequent assistance of her mother’s spirit, though comforting, slightly dampens the suspense. However, Reynolds poignantly explores the complexities of depression and grief. Raven has tan skin and black hair; Izzy and her family default to White.

A somewhat predictable tale enlivened by vivid emotions.