By Max Gast, staff writer

The Last Kids on Earth is one of the favorite books I’ve read in the not-graphic-novel side of children’s books. It has everything a children’s book should have: It’s funny, it has an action-packed story and the illustrations are excellent.

It is a series of books actually. They come out every year. The author, Max Brallier, had the perfect idea of a modern-day zombie apocalypse. Douglas Holgate also is a really good artist and no one could illustrate Jack, Quint, Dirk, and June better in my opinion. I like the style that Douglas Holgate uses. It’s like a mix between realistic and cartoony. I also really like the plot that sets up the next four books and more to come. I don’t really know if Max Brallier intended to make his book a series. Even if he didn’t, I probably would still like the first book a lot — series or not.

Basically, there is this 13-year-old kid called Jack Sullivan who has survived the last few weeks in this zombie apocalypse. The book begins at a CVS pharmacy where Jack has to find an eyeglass repair kit with those small screwdrivers. He needs a small screwdriver to fix his walkie-talkie (which he calls a walkie). He needs to fix it so he can get in touch with his best friend Quint. Jack doesn’t really get to know anyone because he is an orphan. 

But then, a zombie apocalypse strikes. The first book doesn’t tell you why the zombie apocalypse strikes. Here are some of the challenges he has to overcome: getting through two dozers, trying to find someone, and meeting up with a terrifying enemy.  

I like this book a lot and while reading it I really got into the story but sometimes the book throws a lot at you at once. For that reason, I might take down my initial rating just a notch. That doesn’t mean the plot is confusing though. Once you get through all of it you start to realize what is going on. One question of mine that didn’t get answered though is how the zombie apocalypse started. I’m sure that will be answered in the second book, though, and I’m not going to spoil anything, but there are these people that come from another dimension that I predict will tell you how the zombie apocalypse started. 

So right now I’m going to give my rating. I would give the book an 8.5 out of 10.  The only reason I knocked it down a bit, is like I said earlier, SOMETIMES. Only sometimes will the book throw a lot at you. Nonetheless, I think Max Brallier is a great author and I would personally like to read a few more of his books. One thing I’d really want is a graphic novel by Douglas Holgate. I think it would be a pretty good book.

Overall, The Last Kids on Earth is an awesome book. In my opinion, you should read it.