The Probability of Everything
Sarah Everett
Clarion Books
June 27, 2023
Ages 8 to 12

Kemi thinks she will keep her perfect school attendance record squeaky clean, spend time at the diner laughing with her family, and evaluate the science of probability for the rest of the year. Everything is great in her world, until an asteroid is predicted to collide with Earth in four days. Kemi loves her family: Dad, Mom, seventeen month sister Lo, and unborn Baby Z. She worries about their history being erased, so she begins creating a time capsule. In the process Kemi is learning how to say goodbye.  

Everett’s story is an exploration of grief and acceptance. In her author’s note, she describes her personal experience of losing a loved one and the sorrow of the death being a result of a hate crime. Kemi’s father was murdered because of a racial conflict involving their neighbor. The narrative is told from Kemi’s perspective, but she disguises her mourning and deceives the reader with the asteroid and her time capsule mission. Along with other characters like Kemi’s mom, her cousins, and aunt, the author depicts the many different ways individuals cope with death. Kemi’s bravery and loyalty is ultimately what leads her to a place of acceptance. The character development paired with haunting flashbacks gave the plot a whole new meaning of healing and advocation. The Probability of Everything is a heartbreaking story about strong relationships, bereavement, and social justice.