Four teens grapple with common problems in an uncommon timeIn this stand-alone apocalyptic graphic novel, friends Ty, Burger, Fib, and Miles are at the crossroads of post–high school life. While their world bears some similarities to ours, these young people face something entirely (and happily) foreign: squizzies. The virus-infected squirrels have glowing, bubble gum pink eyes, the ability to fly, and murderous intent. As a result, people must wear bespoke hazmat suits called hazzies every time they go outside. The friends embark on a quixotic quest to locate Stu, their missing boss, and over the course of a fateful night, they face dangers both within their circle and in the world at large. Arnold's text skillfully portrays post-adolescent banalities against a harrowing and violent backdrop; those sensitive to animal death and violence may be upset at the frequency and gruesomeness with which the squizzies are dispatched. While the story spotlights the interpersonal dynamics, those who prefer robust worldbuilding may be disappointed, as details about the squizzies are scant at best. In a dreamy palette of pink and lavender hues, Pimienta's illustrations leap off the page in a feat of visual wizardry. Most of the central characters are light-skinned; Burger has brown skin and Afro-textured hair, and the cast contains diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation.A delightfully disturbing and dystopian snapshot of friendship.(Graphic science fiction. 14-18)

Gr 9 Up— Would-be filmmakers and childhood best friends Ty and Burger have big plans to make names for themselves as creative superstars—if they can get funding to develop their documentary that shows the human side of the current global catastrophe. They want to tell the stories of the thousands of victims ravaged by the menace known as Squizzies, who were once gentle beings, until a rampant virus turned them into rabid, murderous zombies; also, Squizzies are squirrels. When they get a lead on their former coffee shop supervisor who went missing and is presumably dead, the duo and their friends set off on a perilous adventure to find him. Their Scooby-Doo gang shenanigans are further complicated by Ty's secret that she has been accepted into a college and plans to break up their partnership but is afraid to reveal that to her best friend. The entire story takes place over the course of one day, and the panels in this graphic novel are colored in shades of lush purple, neon magenta, and hazy pink, as the day turns from sunrise to sunset. The ease of their t&4;te-&4;-t&4;te and ribbing shows the unbreakable bond between the pair, whose friendship is tested yet withstands the challenge of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Coarse language, references to drugs and drinking, mild romance, and violence that is stylized and ridiculous make this a believable YA story. VERDICT This graphic novel is sure to be a hit for fans of Paper Girls , Stranger Things , and Unbeatable Squirrel Girl .— Rebecca Jung