After the events of Walz's series opener (Last Pick, 2018), Sam and Wyatt are still struggling to survive the alien invasion, only now they're separated. Along with her friend Mia, Sam is now on a foreign planet being forced to exterminate aliens by their captors, while her autistic brother leads a resistance on Earth. The first book set up what the characters are fighting for, and now Walz asks the more complicated question of why they should fight. Several of Sam's scenes fighting and evading aliens drive this point home, asking difficult questions about when it's okay to kill and why. With daring escapes and heroic actions, this installment ratchets up the action with constant threats and higher stakes, but Walz still takes time to deepen his characters: Sam's friendship with Mia grows into something special, while Wyatt struggles to think of himself as a leader. Walz's slightly cartoonish artwork helps to downplay the horror and violence a bit and turns the focus on character development. A great pick for kids who have outgrown Ben Hatke's Mighty Jack series.

Gr 5 Up-Walz continues his trilogy set in a postapocalyptic world ruled by alien overlords. Several years ago, extraterrestrials arrived, abducting those they decided were useful and leaving behind the very old and young, as well as those with disabilities. At the close of the first installment, Last Pick , 16-year-old twins Sam and Wyatt were split up. Sam was taken to another planet and forced to hunt aliens alongside other human prisoners, but she's set on returning home. Wyatt, who appears to be on the autism spectrum, was deemed unworthy of capture and left on Earth, where he has joined forces with others determined to free the planet from alien rule. Compelling action may draw readers into the story, but those who haven't yet read the first book may be lost. Relying on smooth, clear lines and a muted palette, Walz brings two worlds to lifethe greens and blues of the alien world contrast well with the browns and yellows of Earth and make it easier to switch between story lines. References to TV shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer may confound younger readers. Some readers may object to the portrayal of disabled people as lesser, and the aliens' descriptions of them ("broken," "useless," "crippled") may be troubling to some. VERDICT An additional purchase where the first installment is popular.Jenni Frencham, Indiana University, Bloomington