TL;DR: The Last Kids on Earth is essentially a video game in book form. It’s the perfect "gateway drug" for kids who claim to hate reading but could play Minecraft for ten hours straight. It’s high-energy, heavy on the "gross-out" humor, and features a Netflix adaptation that is actually worth the watch.
Quick Links:
- The Books: The Last Kids on Earth Series
- The Show: The Last Kids on Earth (Netflix)
- The Game: The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom
- The Vibe: Graphic novels for reluctant readers
If you’ve spent any time in the middle-grade section of a bookstore lately, you’ve seen the covers: neon colors, jagged fonts, and a kid with a bat looking at a giant, multi-eyed monster.
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier is a juggernaut. If your kid is between the ages of 8 and 12, they’ve likely either read it, seen the Netflix show, or at the very least, seen the merch at Target.
But as parents, we often wonder: Is this actually "reading," or is it just a TV show printed on paper? Is it too violent? And why does it seem to lead my kid straight back to a screen the second they finish a chapter?
The setup is classic "kid fantasy" meets "zombie apocalypse." Jack Sullivan is a 13-year-old foster kid who finds himself living in a tricked-out treehouse after the "Monster Apocalypse" hits his town. He’s joined by his best friend (the scientist), the former school bully (the muscle), and his crush (the warrior).
It sounds grim, but it’s the furthest thing from The Walking Dead. There’s no existential dread or weeping over the lost world. Instead, Jack treats the apocalypse like a massive video game. He literally creates "Feats of Apocalyptic Success"—basically in-game achievements—like "Steal a zombie’s hat" or "Find a working soda machine."
The books are heavily illustrated by Douglas Holgate. It’s not quite a graphic novel, but it’s not a dense wall of text either. It’s a hybrid style that keeps the pages turning fast.
We have to talk about why this series hits so hard for Gen Alpha and late Gen Z.
- The Video Game Logic: Jack doesn't just survive; he "levels up." The books use stats, checklists, and quest-style storytelling. For a kid who spends their weekends on Roblox or Fortnite, this narrative structure feels like home.
- The Wish Fulfillment: What kid hasn't imagined what they’d do if all the adults disappeared and they had the keys to the toy store? Jack’s treehouse is the ultimate "no parents allowed" zone, complete with a moat, catapults, and an endless supply of Oreos.
- The Humor: It’s "middle school funny." This means plenty of jokes about smell, weird monsters, and occasional "rude" language (think jerk, butt, and sucks). It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s exactly what an 11-year-old thinks is hilarious.
Ask our chatbot if your kid is ready for more mature zombie media
One of the unique things about this franchise is how seamlessly it moves between media. This is where "intentional parenting" comes in. You can use the book to earn the show, or the show to spark interest in the book.
The Verdict: This is "junk food" reading, but in a good way. Like a bag of Doritos, it’s designed to be consumed quickly and leave you wanting more. If you’re struggling to get your kid to put down the iPad, this is one of the best tools in your arsenal. It builds reading stamina without the intimidation factor of something like Percy Jackson.
The Verdict: Surprisingly good. It’s produced by Atomic Cartoons and features the voice of Nick Wolfhard (Finn’s brother). It captures the kinetic energy of the books perfectly. It’s a great "family movie night" pick if you have a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old who can never agree on what to watch. Check out our guide on the best Netflix shows for 10 year olds
The Verdict: It’s a 1-4 player couch co-op action game. It’s fine. It’s not going to win Game of the Year, but it’s a safe, fun way for siblings to play together. It’s much better than the low-effort tie-in games we used to get in the 90s.
Despite the "Apocalypse" in the title, the "scare factor" here is very low.
- Violence: There is a lot of monster-slaying. Jack uses a Louisville Slicer (a bat with nails). However, the monsters are often goofy or "cool" rather than terrifying. The zombies are more like bumbling obstacles than the flesh-eating nightmares of R-rated movies.
- Language: Very mild. It’s the kind of stuff they hear in the school hallway.
- Emotional Weight: There’s a subtext of Jack being a foster kid and feeling abandoned, which adds a nice layer of heart, but it never gets too heavy.
Recommended Age: 8-12. A mature 7-year-old could handle it, but the humor might go over their head. By 13 or 14, kids might find it a little too "kiddy" unless they are already invested in the series.
Here is the "Screenwise" take on this series: It is a bridge.
For many kids, there is a massive gap between "educational apps" and "entertainment." There’s also a gap between "books I have to read for school" and "things I actually enjoy."
The Last Kids on Earth lives in that gap.
Because the books are so visual and the show is so faithful to the books, you can use this as a way to negotiate digital boundaries.
- "Read two chapters of the book, and we can watch one episode of the show."
- "If you finish the first three books, we can get the Staff of Doom game for your Switch."
It doesn't feel like a chore to them because the world is consistent across all platforms. They aren't "leaving" the story when they close the book; they’re just changing the way they interact with it.
If you want to sound like the "cool" parent (or at least the informed one), ask your kid these questions after they read a few chapters:
- "What would your 'Feats of Apocalyptic Success' be?" This gets them thinking about goal-setting and creativity.
- "If we had to turn our house into a fortress, what’s the first thing we’d need to build?" (Warning: they will probably say a slime pit or a gaming room).
- "Which character are you most like: Jack, Quint, June, or Dirk?" This is a classic "personality quiz" entry point that helps you understand how they see themselves.
The Last Kids on Earth isn't high art, and it’s not trying to be. It’s a loud, messy, fun celebration of friendship and survival.
In a world where we worry about "brain rot" and kids losing their attention spans to 15-second TikToks, a book series that can hold a child's attention for 200+ pages is a win. Even if those pages are full of zombie-smashing and fart jokes.
If your kid is a fan of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants, this is the natural next step. It’s safe, it’s engaging, and it might just be the thing that turns your "gamer" into a "reader."
- Check the library: Most school libraries have the full set because they are so popular.
- Watch the trailer: Sit down with your kid and watch the Netflix trailer to see if the vibe fits your family.
- Explore similar titles: If they fly through these, look into Wings of Fire or The Bad Guys.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized reading list based on your kid's favorite video games