Five Black tweens try to unravel a major mystery in this sequel to It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit (2022).The book opens with Eddie Holloway reminding readers that in the previous adventure, none of the citizens of Carterville, Ohio, returned following the annual summer Beach Bash. Now, the little group of kids who were left behind are banding together, but when every attempt they make to get to the beach and search for answers is ruined, the story turns toward their individual efforts to cope with the catastrophe. Xavier is concerned that there are people in need of help, Sonia turns to stockpiling supplies in case another disaster strikes, Trey focuses on keeping his athletic regimen in place, and Sage plots ways to reach the beach. After they're rattled by ghostly radio messages, the tone of the story turns more reflective. Readers hear more from the other characters via the Carterville Keep It Reels, short video confessionals from each kid. Although the mood is humorous and light throughout most of the book, uneasiness rises to the surface every time the kids stop and look around at the emptiness of their neighborhood or observe how unnaturally quiet everything is without other people. This element pulls in readers, who become invested in the characters' well-being, hoping that with every page turned, they'll be closer to solving the mystery and being OK.A reflective, well-paced follow-up. (Fiction. 8-12)

Gr 3–7 —In the sequel to It's The End of the World and I'm In My Bathing Suit , 12-year-old Eddie and his friends are still trying to enjoy the fun, liberating freedom of being the only people around since their families disappeared at the Beach Bash. Eddie talks directly to readers in the opening pages, welcoming them back and addressing some of their concerns about the previous cliffhanger. Eddie and his friends are determined to get back to the beach where it all started, hoping that it might give them some clues as to what happened and why. But anytime they try, something happens, such as bees magically appearing inside their car, preventing them from entering. Between the jokes and bonding among friends, quieter moments of reflection about the apocalypse come through. This is why one of Eddie's friends suggests they keep a video diary, transcribed as "Keep it Reel," so they can look back and process their experiences once it's over. Eddie wants to pretend everything is okay—he even tries to make a human-sized ice-cream sundae in a pool for his friends, but everyone is still dealing with the events differently. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced and humorous first-person narrative. Another cliffhanger will leave fans of the series eager for the next installment. VERDICT This book will be most enjoyed by those who read the first book, and is recommended for collections where the previous one circulates.—Marissa Lieberman