How to Pack for the End of the World

The Breakfast Club meets We Are the Ants in this timely story for a generation of young activists.

If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do?

This is the question that haunts Amina in this compelling coming-of-age novel, as she watches new and horrible stories of discord and crisis flash across the news every day.

But when she starts at prestigious Gardner Academy, Amina finds an unlikely found family to join forces with—fast friends who dedicate their year to learning survival skills in their own teen prepper club, before it’s too late.

Still, as their prepper knowledge multiplies, so do their regular high school problems, from relationship drama to family issues to friend blow-ups. Juggling the two parts of their lives forces Amina to ask another vital question: Is it worth living in the hypothetical future if it’s at the expense of your actual present?

• High School Activists: Amina’s fear about the constant stream of bad news leads her to a group of teens at Gardner Academy who are tired of feeling helpless and ready to take action.
• An Unlikely Friend Group: A scholarship kid, a fashion influencer, an aspiring lawyer, and a boy raised on a commune band together to prepare for the worst, navigating their differences along the way.
• Survival Skills: From building shelters to finding food in the wild, the friends teach each other what they’ll need to know when it’s too late for anyone else to help.
• YA Contemporary Fiction: This timely novel juggles the dread of a looming apocalypse with the everyday heartbreaks and humor of high school relationship drama, friend blow-ups, and family issues.

Praise for Questions I Want to Ask You: “A well-rounded, much-needed portrait of a boy with self-image issues and a narrow mindset who expands his viewpoint and prepares for an uncertain future.”

- Kirkus Reviews

“Falkoff’s coming-of-age story leaves the reader feeling proud of Pack’s personal evolution and ends in a place that truly feels like a new beginning.”

- Booklist

“Many teens will identify with Pack’s desire for things to stay as they are even as they change around him. The mystery is quiet but intriguing, leading to a satisfying conclusion that is not perfect but hopeful. The highlight here is Pack’s personal growth and self-discovery. Give this to readers with a taste for intrigue and quiet, character-driven stories.”

- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Praise for Playlist for the Dead: “Falkoff treats a difficult topic with delicacy and care.”

- Publishers Weekly

“Realistic and well-written.”

- School Library Journal

“A nice premise with some truly powerful moments.”

- Kirkus Reviews

“An absorbing and sensitive read.”

- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for Pushing Perfect: “Twists and turns abound. Reminiscent of Lois Duncan with its methodical uncovering of clues and multiple red herrings, this mystery will keep readers turning the pages.“

- School Library Journal

“Recommended for teens who enjoy mysteries in the form of timely, realistic fiction.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"One of those rare books you can’t put down. Teens looking for a character-driven novel with a touch of mystery can’t do better than this." - Booklist (starred review)