Save the People!: Halting Human Extinction

Gr 6 Up–McAnulty doesn’t hold back in this grim but entertaining book that documents a variety of ways that homo sapiens might become the next extinct species. The author addresses readers directly, recognizing fears and acknowledging that this text may not be for the faint of heart. In a casual and humorous tone, she moves from the history of the earth through historic mass extinctions, onto current potential threats to humanity. She emphasizes that the earth itself will likely survive while humans, a mere speck in the planet’s history, may not. A final section addresses what is happening today, finally coming to the topic of climate change and how our choices will inevitably make us the “heroes or villains” of our story. The book has a narrative feel and is interspersed with a few black-and-white illustrations. Though it has substantial back matter and an index, it is best read from start to finish rather than used as a reference text. The content is thoroughly researched and presented accurately, clearly, and with humor. McAnulty also addresses philosophical queries, such as humankind’s responsibility to each other and to the non-human animals on earth. She makes clear that science is to be trusted and climate change is real, debunking some misunderstandings and falsehoods on the topic.