Before We Go Extinct A Novel — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Grief can sometimes feel like being caught in the jaws of a great white shark.
J.C., who goes by the nickname Sharky, has been having a hard time ever since his best friend died in front of him in what might or might not have been an accident. Shell-shocked, Sharky spends countless hours holed up in his room, obsessively watching documentaries about sharks and climate change—and texting his dead friend.
Hoping a change of location will help, Sharky’s mom sends him to visit his dad on a remote island in Canada. There, Sharky meets a girl who just may show him how to live—and love—again.
Before We Go Extinct, a young adult novel by Karen Rivers tells a powerful story about grief, trauma, and friendship.
Praise for Before We Go Extinct:
“Before We Go Extinct explores the trauma of suicide from both the perspective of the one who dies and the ones who are left behind. This is a book about the importance of experiencing and ultimately overcoming grief by connecting to others who have been grief-stricken themselves.” —VOYA, starred review
"More important is the personal journey JC takes to reconnect with his father, make new friends, and recapture his sense of self along with his voice. The author skillfully pulls together the disparate parts of JC's life through his deeply felt, sometimes humorous, first-person narration. JC's voice, spoken and unspoken, rings with a note of authenticity." —Kirkus Reviews
"The story’s strength lies in JC’s thoughtful, honest contemplation of his grief. Secondary characters also add emotional depth to his story." —School Library Journal
Frequently asked questions
Is Before We Go Extinct A Novel appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No violence detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The content discusses themes of grief and personal struggles without including violent acts or scenarios. No scary content detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The narrative centers on personal grief and emotional challenges without horror elements.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have violence?
No violence detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The content discusses themes of grief and personal struggles without including violent acts or scenarios.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have scary content?
No scary content detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The narrative centers on personal grief and emotional challenges without horror elements.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have religious themes?
No religious content detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The narrative focuses on personal grief and relationships without any mention of religious practices or beliefs.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have racial/cultural content?
Race is mentioned as a secondary factor in the narrative, but it is not a central theme or plot element in 'Before We Go Extinct'. The focus is primarily on personal grief and relationships.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have profanity?
No profanity detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The content does not indicate the presence of strong language.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have climate change?
The protagonist, Sharky, is shown obsessively watching documentaries about climate change, indicating that climate themes are present but not central to the plot. The narrative includes elements of environmental awareness.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have sexual identity?
No sexual content detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The focus remains on emotional themes rather than sexual themes or relationships.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have gender roles?
No gender roles detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The narrative does not address traditional or modern gender roles explicitly.
Does Before We Go Extinct A Novel have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes detected in the search results for 'Before We Go Extinct'. The content primarily discusses grief and personal struggles without reference to LGBTQ+ identities or experiences.
