The Probability of Everything

After learning that an asteroid is set to destroy Earth, a sixth grader builds a time capsule to commemorate her family in this pensive read from Everett (How to Live Without You). With her parents and younger sister Lo, 11-year-old Nigerian American Kemi Carter, an aspiring scientist obsessed with probability statistics, makes up one of the few Black families living in a predominantly white neighborhood. And despite some tension with a prejudiced neighbor, Kemi feels that she has a pretty good life with a loving family. So when she learns that there's an 84.7% chance that Earth will be destroyed in four days by asteroid Amplus-68, Kemi determines to collect her family members' "most important stuff, the things we love most," to create a time capsule, hoping that their memory will survive even after they're gone. But as her family and friends go about their lives, Kemi feels as if she's the only person taking their seemingly imminent demise--and her time capsule--seriously. Kemi's astute voice resonates with a deep love and loyalty for her family, rendering her insistence in honoring them and subsequent narrative reveals as heartrending, hopeful, and palpably felt. Ages 8-12. (June)

Gr 3-7—Nigerian American Kemi Carter, 11, considers herself a scientist, in particular a scientist of probability. When a giant asteroid, AMPLUS-68 has an 84.7 percent chance of hitting Earth in four days, Kemi decides to create a time capsule to make sure future earthlings know how incredible her family was. They may not be famous, or have invented anything, but each member of Kemi's family deserves to be remembered for what makes them special. While gathering items from her family, including her pregnant mom, little sister, and cousins, she realizes she doesn't know what one item represents her dad. He recently left his time-demading job to be with their family, and their move to a predominantly white neighborhood has had bumps, with some not accepting them because of their race. As the apocalypse quickly approaches, Kemi finds each family member supportive of her plan, but continues to seek out her dad's true passion. As the countdown progresses, readers will likely be contemplating their own time on Earth, when a huge plot twist hits. Everett has woven together big themes of racism, mortality, and grief with a heartbreaking story that will stick with readers long after the conclusion. Teachers will find much to discuss, making it a perfect choice for read-alouds or book groups. VERDICT Thought-provoking and utterly unique, this is an impactful book that deserves a place in all middle grade classrooms and libraries.—Michele Shaw

"Sarah Everett writes with captivating grace, even as she navigates difficult topics and probabilities. This book is a love letter to big-hearted, curious-minded kids everywhere. An instant classic." — Christine Day, award winning author of I Can Make This Promise

"Kemi's astute voice resonates with a deep love and loyalty for her family, rendering her insistence in honoring them and subsequent narrative reveals as heartrending, hopeful, and palpably felt." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This realistically drawn, gut-wrenching novel will stick with readers long after they've finished reading. A powerful exploration of grief." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Thought-provoking and utterly unique, this is an impactful book that deserves a place in all middle grade classrooms and libraries." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"An empathetic, unflinching portrayal of childhood bereavement, this gut-punch of a story brings familiar themes from Everett's YA works to a younger readership." — Booklist