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    How to Survive the End of the World

    A Graphic Exploration of How to (Maybe) Avoid Extinction

    Author Katy Doughty
    Illustrated by Katy Doughty
    Look inside
    Hardcover
    $24.99 US
    Candlewick | MITeen Press
    6.37"W x 9.37"H x 0.99"D   | 31 oz | 10 per carton
    On sale Mar 31, 2026 | 256 Pages | 9781536232790
    Age 14 and up
    FOC Mar 2, 2026 | Catalog February 2026
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    "Brilliant; at once terrifying and fascinating." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    In a full-color debut, a graphic novelist takes an engrossing, gleefully existential deep dive into the many ways that humanity could—and almost did—meet its end.

    Since 99.9 percent of all species that have lived are extinct, it’s bound to be our turn eventually, right? So what’s most likely to kill us? A well-timed asteroid? Some new robot overlords? With wit and dry humor, debut graphic novelist Katy Doughty blends science and history to explore our chances of surviving disasters such as plagues, global warming, and alien invasion. Drawing on interviews with experts in fields like infectious diseases, AI, and interplanetary exploration, she combines cutting-edge research with compelling visuals: mugshots of the deadliest microbes, graphs of the winners and losers of mass extinction events, and a whole lot of dinosaur drawings. For apocalypse aficionados, the morbidly curious, and the just plain curious, this is your antidote to existential dread—a timely, imaginative, and ultimately hopeful take on humankind’s ability to survive the odds.
    Katy Doughty is a California-born, Texas-bred, New England–educated designer and illustrator who holds a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MPH from Boston University’s School of Public Health. Her unique interdisciplinary background fuels her interest in the intersection of visual communication, research, and healthcare. She lives in Boston with her husband.
    Katy Doughty View titles by Katy Doughty
    • SELECTION | 2026
      Junior Library Guild Selection
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    additional book photo
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    The author has distilled an impressive amount of research into a lucid, matter-of-fact narrative—and counterintuitive though it may seem, there’s a pervasive optimism running through the doom and gloom, a conviction that no matter what goes down, humanity is special enough that something of us will survive. The attractive illustrations in highly saturated colors illuminate the content through both imaginative whimsy and helpful diagrams.Brilliant; at once terrifying and fascinating.
    —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    For such a dire topic, the tone is engaging and hardly doom-and-gloom, blending a huge variety of topics with a charming gallows humor. . . . The end won’t be pretty, but Doughty makes it pretty darn amusing.
    —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

    The characters are well developed and relatable. Select chapters include beautiful illustrations from Rioux. . . . With mystery, and adventure, this historical fiction is an easy sell for a wide range of readers.
    —School Library Journal

    Doughty’s full-length comic debut is one for the ages—literally. . . . Sure to appeal to science enthusiasts, this comic will please fans of fun-loving adventure sci-fi well (think David Tennant–era Doctor Who).
    —Booklist

    Historical evidence as well as contemporary scientific and cultural expertise propel Doughty’s thoroughly researched nonfiction graphic novel. . . . Visual humor provides levity throughout fact-heavy infographic-style spreads and somber recreations of tragic events, while a recurring river motif suggests hope and optimism for the future.
    —Publishers Weekly

    This book bursts with equal measures of catastrophe and hope, of wisdom and humor. Will become a prized resource for a young generation inheriting a planet on the brink.
    —Eliot Schrefer, two-time National Book Award Finalist and New York Times best-selling author

    A surprisingly hopeful tour of the apocalypse, filled with fascinating history and expertise.
    —Dan Nott, author of the National Book Award Long List selection Hidden Systems

    I have never felt so satisfied and well-informed while contemplating my own demise.
    —Ben Orlin, best-selling author of Math with Bad Drawings

    A fascinating and visually striking chronicle packed with intriguing facts and insights. Doughty’s narrative conveys a sense not just of the dangers we face, but also of hope. An engaging and thought-provoking read.
    —Sage Stossel, award-winning cartoonist for TheAtlantic.com and The Boston Globe

    Terrifying, in a warm and witty way. More than that, this book is an avenue into so much fascinating science—clearly and elegantly presented.
    —Jonathan Case, Eisner Award–winning cartoonist

    About

    "Brilliant; at once terrifying and fascinating." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    In a full-color debut, a graphic novelist takes an engrossing, gleefully existential deep dive into the many ways that humanity could—and almost did—meet its end.

    Since 99.9 percent of all species that have lived are extinct, it’s bound to be our turn eventually, right? So what’s most likely to kill us? A well-timed asteroid? Some new robot overlords? With wit and dry humor, debut graphic novelist Katy Doughty blends science and history to explore our chances of surviving disasters such as plagues, global warming, and alien invasion. Drawing on interviews with experts in fields like infectious diseases, AI, and interplanetary exploration, she combines cutting-edge research with compelling visuals: mugshots of the deadliest microbes, graphs of the winners and losers of mass extinction events, and a whole lot of dinosaur drawings. For apocalypse aficionados, the morbidly curious, and the just plain curious, this is your antidote to existential dread—a timely, imaginative, and ultimately hopeful take on humankind’s ability to survive the odds.

    Creators

    Katy Doughty is a California-born, Texas-bred, New England–educated designer and illustrator who holds a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MPH from Boston University’s School of Public Health. Her unique interdisciplinary background fuels her interest in the intersection of visual communication, research, and healthcare. She lives in Boston with her husband.
    Katy Doughty View titles by Katy Doughty

    Awards

    • SELECTION | 2026
      Junior Library Guild Selection

    Photos

    additional book photo
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    additional book photo

    Praise

    The author has distilled an impressive amount of research into a lucid, matter-of-fact narrative—and counterintuitive though it may seem, there’s a pervasive optimism running through the doom and gloom, a conviction that no matter what goes down, humanity is special enough that something of us will survive. The attractive illustrations in highly saturated colors illuminate the content through both imaginative whimsy and helpful diagrams.Brilliant; at once terrifying and fascinating.
    —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    For such a dire topic, the tone is engaging and hardly doom-and-gloom, blending a huge variety of topics with a charming gallows humor. . . . The end won’t be pretty, but Doughty makes it pretty darn amusing.
    —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

    The characters are well developed and relatable. Select chapters include beautiful illustrations from Rioux. . . . With mystery, and adventure, this historical fiction is an easy sell for a wide range of readers.
    —School Library Journal

    Doughty’s full-length comic debut is one for the ages—literally. . . . Sure to appeal to science enthusiasts, this comic will please fans of fun-loving adventure sci-fi well (think David Tennant–era Doctor Who).
    —Booklist

    Historical evidence as well as contemporary scientific and cultural expertise propel Doughty’s thoroughly researched nonfiction graphic novel. . . . Visual humor provides levity throughout fact-heavy infographic-style spreads and somber recreations of tragic events, while a recurring river motif suggests hope and optimism for the future.
    —Publishers Weekly

    This book bursts with equal measures of catastrophe and hope, of wisdom and humor. Will become a prized resource for a young generation inheriting a planet on the brink.
    —Eliot Schrefer, two-time National Book Award Finalist and New York Times best-selling author

    A surprisingly hopeful tour of the apocalypse, filled with fascinating history and expertise.
    —Dan Nott, author of the National Book Award Long List selection Hidden Systems

    I have never felt so satisfied and well-informed while contemplating my own demise.
    —Ben Orlin, best-selling author of Math with Bad Drawings

    A fascinating and visually striking chronicle packed with intriguing facts and insights. Doughty’s narrative conveys a sense not just of the dangers we face, but also of hope. An engaging and thought-provoking read.
    —Sage Stossel, award-winning cartoonist for TheAtlantic.com and The Boston Globe

    Terrifying, in a warm and witty way. More than that, this book is an avenue into so much fascinating science—clearly and elegantly presented.
    —Jonathan Case, Eisner Award–winning cartoonist

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