The Last Kids on Earth: June's Wild Flight
by Max Brallier · The Last Kids on Earth
A monster-fighting girl's solo adventure that turns reluctant readers into book lovers
The story
When a chain of chaotic events separates her from her friends during a monster attack, eleven-year-old June Del Toro finds herself alone in unfamiliar territory with only a small, scared creature for company. What starts as a simple journey home becomes something bigger when June realizes her new companion is being hunted — and that trusting him might be the bravest thing she's ever done.
Age verdict
Best for ages 8-11. The easy reading level and heavy illustrations make it accessible for strong 7-year-olds, while the themes of trust and sacrifice give older readers up to 12-13 something to chew on.
Our take
A kid-magnet adventure that hooks reluctant readers through action, illustrations, and humor — parents appreciate the gateway power and values but won't mistake it for literature
What stands out
Each audience's top 3 dimensions. Out of 30 scored per book.
Kids love
- First-chapter grab Exceptional
strong justification needed.
- Middle momentum Strong
Comparable to Breakout — Constant obstacle encounters with chapter hooks. Sits above Breakout because each location change refreshes momentum without sagging.
Parents love
- Stereotype-breaker Strong
Comparable to A Court of Mist and Fury — June is bravest, most capable character in monster-fighting action; physical courage + strategic reporter thinking. Sits just below (lower stakes, clearer resolution).
- Reading gateway Strong
Comparable to established gateway anchors — Short chapters, illustrations on every page, conversational first-person, action-humor-illustrations. Proven gateway for reluctant readers. Sits at tier 7.
Teachers love
- Read-aloud power Strong
Comparable to Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute — June's voice performable with natural humor and dramatic sound effects. Short chapters fit periods. Action holds attention. Sits at tier 7 (high-stakes anchor).
- Empathy & self-awareness Strong
don't judge by group; trauma explains fearful behavior, not malice. Perspective-taking transfers to real social situations. Sits at tier 7.
✓ Perfect for
- • Action-loving kids aged 8-11 who enjoy illustrated adventures with monsters
- • humor
- • and a brave female protagonist. Especially strong for reluctant readers who need visual support
- • short chapters
- • and nonstop pacing to stay engaged.
Not ideal for
Readers looking for literary prose, deep emotional complexity, or standalone stories — this is a series companion novel that works best with context from earlier books.
At a glance
- Pages
- 272
- Chapters
- 27
- Words
- 45k
- Lexile
- 560L
- Difficulty
- Easy
- POV
- First Person
- Illustration
- Heavy
- Published
- 2020
- Publisher
- Viking (Penguin Random House)
- Illustrator
- Douglas Holgate
- ISBN
- 9780593117187
Mood & style
You'll know it worked when…
Very likely to finish. Short chapters, constant action, humor, and illustrations eliminate every common reason kids abandon books. The one-more-chapter pull is strong throughout.
If your kid loved this
Matched across 30 dimensions — interest hooks, character appeal, tone, pacing, emotional core. Not by what other people bought. By what fits the same reader profile.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians
by Dodie Smith
Same genre (adventure). Both adventurous in tone
Dinosaurs Before Dark
by Mary Pope Osborne
Same genre (adventure). Both adventurous in tone
Of Mice and Magic
by Ursula Vernon
adventure as secondary genre. Both adventurous in tone
Dinosaurs Before Dark Graphic Novel
by Mary Pope Osborne (adapted by Jenny Laird)
Same genre (adventure). Both adventurous in tone
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja
by John Flanagan
Same genre (adventure). Both adventurous in tone
Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border
by Jeff Smith
adventure as secondary genre. Both adventurous in tone
Want more picks like this?
Get 5 hand-picked book reviews for your child's age — one email a month.