Paul Acampora’s How to Avoid Extinction is a funny, heartfelt middle grade novel about family, road trips, and finding your place in the world.
 
Since his grandfather passed away, Leo has been struggling with grief and with caring for his forgetful grandmother. When Grandma decides to take off on a spontaneous cross-country road trip—with Leo, his cousin, and a stray dog along for the ride—the adventure becomes a journey of healing, discovery, and unexpected laughter.
As they chase dinosaurs, memories, and their own sense of belonging, Leo learns that extinction isn’t just for dinosaurs—it’s about what happens when we forget to live fully.
 
Filled with warmth, humor, and memorable characters, How to Avoid Extinction is perfect for fans of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, and Holes.
🎯 Perfect For
Middle grade readers who enjoy road trip adventures
Fans of humorous, heartfelt contemporary fiction
Classrooms and book clubs exploring themes of family, grief, and resilience
Readers of Coyote Sunrise, Winn-Dixie, and Holes
💡 Why You’ll Love It
A funny, moving road trip story packed with heart
Quirky characters that middle grade readers will love
Balances serious themes (loss, memory, family) with humor and adventure
Strong appeal to reluctant readers thanks to humor and fast pacing
A perfect read-aloud book for classrooms and families