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Outside
From three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm, a chilling but heartfelt story of a girl being raised in a compound who doesn't understand how isolated and unusual her life is... until she must encounter the outside world. Whatever you do, don't leave home.Razzi has always been Don't go Outside. It isn't safe. There are people and creatures out there that will harm you. The walls of the Refuge will protect you from them.Razzi's friend Ollie was curious about Outside... and it led to his death. So Razzi is trying to be on her best behavior. She is the oldest kid left, the one the younger kids look up to. She has to follow the rules.But Outside has a way of getting in, and Razzi, guided by a dog she has a strangely close connection with, wonders what it’s like to run free beyond the walls.If she steps away from everything she's ever known... what will she find?
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
61 people are currently reading
4859 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Holm
129 books1,728 followersJennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with more than 9.8 million books in print She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.
Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!
For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.
Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!
For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
October 15, 2025
This book has an interesting premise but suffers from poor pacing and certain too-unbelievable plot points. Razzie has grown up in a protected compound after a global war has taken out most of the population and turned most survivors (Poisoneds) into something akin to zombies. When a health check reveals that Razzie has a heart defect, she is given a transplanted greyhound heart. Afterward, she begins remembering certain of the greyhound's memories. It has also made her more curious about the Outside, and she becomes convinced that she needs to escape and find her greyhound’s kennel buddy, another dog.
The greyhound heart just did not work for me. While I could accept that in this world, technology has advanced so far that animal organs can be transplanted into humans, I had a harder time believing that it would easily be acquired and transplanted by a single off-the-grid surgeon into a patient who has undergone limited tests. On top of that, the dog memories were just ridiculous. A heart gave her those??
And then, once Razzie reaches the Outside, that part of the story is so rushed, and everything wraps up so quickly. That was the exciting part! I wanted more of that and less of the kids' boring routines and games and meals inside the compound, which seemed to go on and on.
The greyhound heart just did not work for me. While I could accept that in this world, technology has advanced so far that animal organs can be transplanted into humans, I had a harder time believing that it would easily be acquired and transplanted by a single off-the-grid surgeon into a patient who has undergone limited tests. On top of that, the dog memories were just ridiculous. A heart gave her those??
And then, once Razzie reaches the Outside, that part of the story is so rushed, and everything wraps up so quickly. That was the exciting part! I wanted more of that and less of the kids' boring routines and games and meals inside the compound, which seemed to go on and on.
July 11, 2025
Wonderful middle grade novel by prolific children’s book author, Jennifer Holm! But this one is not for readers of her long-lasting BabyMouse graphic novels and traditional format choices, rather those who have enjoyed her Turtle Paradise duology and Lion of Mars standalone novel. But this one defies categorization. At first I labeled it middle grade dystopian, but the ending eliminated that choice. There are shades of sci-fi and when you reach the conclusion, realistic fiction comes to mind. Intrigued? You should be. In only 226 pages, Holm grabs ahold of readers’ attention with the story of a post-apocalyptic time with 7 adults and a handful of survivors barricaded in an abandoned estate and now called “The Refuge.” Residents have lived there for most of 12 year old Razzi’s life and now have a well-oiled system of shared chores and a scheduled day with adults and children alike taking part in keeping the small community safe, fed, and healthy. But the death of one her friends and a transplant using the heart of a greyhound, Razzi has begun to feel differently. Not only is she wondering about the unshakeable draw of the Outside for her now deceased friend Ollie but she is taking on some of the abilities and traits of the strong, fast and curious Wind, the canine who gave her new life. Eventually, Razzi leaves the fortress she calls home and escapes into the Outside to discover something that will change her life, and the lives of those she calls family, forever.
Along with being a difficult book to categorize, OUTSIDE is also a hard book to review without giving away too much. But, noting Holm’s ability to develop a strong leading character and several equally strong supporting ones is easy. Razzi takes her role as “The First” seriously and leads the other children during their day and does her absolute best to keep them safe. Her father, although a supporting character, is a resilient and capable leader who loves his two children, wife and other residents and has developed a system to guard against the “Poisoned,” those who might breach their walls and cause them harm. And Bing and Merry stand out as Razzi’s younger, and high energy younger brother and a friend who drives her crazy at times, but is also equally invested in keeping their home protected.
With its instantly engaging introduction, the big twist and the low page count, Holm’s OUTSIDE is perfect for grades 3-6 and is highly recommended. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and significant violence, although the adults at The Refuge stay armed against The Poisoned and do defend themselves when two make it into a courtyard but without any blood or gore. Physical descriptions are few and cultural traditions not a part of the plot so race of those living in The Refuge is unclear, allowing readers to decide for themselves unless the cover brings them to define all as Caucasian.
Note on cover: Razzi’s stance certainly brings her strength of personality to mind and the idea of being secluded inside is clear. It is a cover that draws the eye. Too bad a child is excluded and the place where they are looking to the outside did not exist in the book. I would’ve preferred the cover artist use the view from the attic or courtyard the residents did have rather than a hole in a wall they didn’t.
Along with being a difficult book to categorize, OUTSIDE is also a hard book to review without giving away too much. But, noting Holm’s ability to develop a strong leading character and several equally strong supporting ones is easy. Razzi takes her role as “The First” seriously and leads the other children during their day and does her absolute best to keep them safe. Her father, although a supporting character, is a resilient and capable leader who loves his two children, wife and other residents and has developed a system to guard against the “Poisoned,” those who might breach their walls and cause them harm. And Bing and Merry stand out as Razzi’s younger, and high energy younger brother and a friend who drives her crazy at times, but is also equally invested in keeping their home protected.
With its instantly engaging introduction, the big twist and the low page count, Holm’s OUTSIDE is perfect for grades 3-6 and is highly recommended. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and significant violence, although the adults at The Refuge stay armed against The Poisoned and do defend themselves when two make it into a courtyard but without any blood or gore. Physical descriptions are few and cultural traditions not a part of the plot so race of those living in The Refuge is unclear, allowing readers to decide for themselves unless the cover brings them to define all as Caucasian.
Note on cover: Razzi’s stance certainly brings her strength of personality to mind and the idea of being secluded inside is clear. It is a cover that draws the eye. Too bad a child is excluded and the place where they are looking to the outside did not exist in the book. I would’ve preferred the cover artist use the view from the attic or courtyard the residents did have rather than a hole in a wall they didn’t.
May 30, 2025
Life lived apart from the outside for fear of the Poisoned.
A transplanted dog’s heart that changes the very nature of the recipient.
The shocking discovery that leads to the arrest of parents and removal of kids.
All of this made for a chaotic and unsettling dystopian-ish, realistic fiction, story that will likely not be on my school shelves. I’ve enjoyed other titles by Holm, this one just fell flat.
A transplanted dog’s heart that changes the very nature of the recipient.
The shocking discovery that leads to the arrest of parents and removal of kids.
All of this made for a chaotic and unsettling dystopian-ish, realistic fiction, story that will likely not be on my school shelves. I’ve enjoyed other titles by Holm, this one just fell flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2026
*2.5
Razzi’s only memories are of living in a closed compound with her mother, father and younger brother, Bing, along with a handful of other children and adults. The world became unsafe after the Great Poisoning, where chemical weapons decimated the majority of life on Earth. Everyone in the “Refuge” must follow a strict regime to keep themselves safe. What remains of the world, crawls with dangerous zombies, The Poisoned, who were not quite eliminated in the attack. All efforts mush be taken to protect the surviving children from the life-ending contact with the outside world. This included keeping everyone from experiencing The Outside.
I am a big fan of Jennifer Holm. I love her historical fiction, which is always traced with a large dose of humor. I’m not a fan of dystopian books. If I’m remembering correctly Holm’s most recent books that have not been graphic novels are shelved in my Science Fiction section. This one will go there as well, however I feel it is lacking any sense of humor at all. I could have been grimmer, but felt light enough for middle-grade. I think I will find readers for it.
Now to the spoiler portion: This very much could have been a Margaret Peterson Haddix book, but it didn’t work as well for me as, for instance , Running Out of Time. While I’ve been writing this review I’ve been chatting with a friend about it. She pointed out that it works for the Dues ex Machina prompt we need this year. The final third of the book takes a drastic swerve, and very much fits the prompt. I found myself a little more engaged at that point, but the heaviness that should have accompanied it was diluted by keeping the book middle-grade. Concurrently, I’m reading an adult book, What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown, that plays with similar themes, but feels much more believable.
Razzi’s only memories are of living in a closed compound with her mother, father and younger brother, Bing, along with a handful of other children and adults. The world became unsafe after the Great Poisoning, where chemical weapons decimated the majority of life on Earth. Everyone in the “Refuge” must follow a strict regime to keep themselves safe. What remains of the world, crawls with dangerous zombies, The Poisoned, who were not quite eliminated in the attack. All efforts mush be taken to protect the surviving children from the life-ending contact with the outside world. This included keeping everyone from experiencing The Outside.
I am a big fan of Jennifer Holm. I love her historical fiction, which is always traced with a large dose of humor. I’m not a fan of dystopian books. If I’m remembering correctly Holm’s most recent books that have not been graphic novels are shelved in my Science Fiction section. This one will go there as well, however I feel it is lacking any sense of humor at all. I could have been grimmer, but felt light enough for middle-grade. I think I will find readers for it.
Now to the spoiler portion: This very much could have been a Margaret Peterson Haddix book, but it didn’t work as well for me as, for instance , Running Out of Time. While I’ve been writing this review I’ve been chatting with a friend about it. She pointed out that it works for the Dues ex Machina prompt we need this year. The final third of the book takes a drastic swerve, and very much fits the prompt. I found myself a little more engaged at that point, but the heaviness that should have accompanied it was diluted by keeping the book middle-grade. Concurrently, I’m reading an adult book, What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown, that plays with similar themes, but feels much more believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
S.A. Bodeen for Gen Alpha
October 16, 2025
A quick listen about a girl who grows up sheltered from the world. It gave me "Running out of Time" vibes. I really hope there is a follow up, so we know what happens to the kids.
October 27, 2025
A strange story about a girl raised in a "compound" without the world around her.
October 6, 2025
Sometimes a book hits that sweet spot between eerie and emotional—Outside almost gets there.
I really try to read middle grade through the lens of a younger reader, to feel the magic and mindset they would. Usually, that’s easy enough… until now. While Outside is solidly written and layered with themes that could genuinely spark thought in its readers, it never fully pulled me in.
The whole time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was reading an M. Night Shyamalan plot—something along the lines of The Village. That made the story feel overly predictable and not quite as original as I hoped. But here’s the thing: middle grade readers likely haven’t seen those movies, so what feels familiar to adults could still feel completely fresh and thrilling to them.
Some of the dialogue and character choices, though, didn’t land as authentic, which made it tough to stay immersed, even for a dystopian setup. From a content perspective, it definitely leans older—probably best suited for readers on the cusp of YA, given some of the heavier themes. Ironically, I’m not sure those 13–15-year-olds would find enough excitement here to keep them hooked.
Overall, Outside will work for a specific slice of the middle grade audience—those ready to think a little deeper, but not quite ready to cross over into YA.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Scholastic via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Since I primarily read ARCs, I focus on how I believe middle grade readers will respond. I sometimes round my rating up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, while doing my best not to let my own personal preferences weigh too heavily.
My Rating System for Middle Grade and Children’s Books
⭐️ 1 Star – Significant problems; I would not recommend it to the intended audience.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – A lot of trouble connecting with it; issues with prose or overall execution, though it may still hold some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – An okay read. I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it, but it has value for young readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – A really enjoyable book! I would recommend it for the appropriate age or reading level.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Outstanding! I would highly recommend it, especially for classrooms or school programs as a great wide-spread reading
I really try to read middle grade through the lens of a younger reader, to feel the magic and mindset they would. Usually, that’s easy enough… until now. While Outside is solidly written and layered with themes that could genuinely spark thought in its readers, it never fully pulled me in.
The whole time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was reading an M. Night Shyamalan plot—something along the lines of The Village. That made the story feel overly predictable and not quite as original as I hoped. But here’s the thing: middle grade readers likely haven’t seen those movies, so what feels familiar to adults could still feel completely fresh and thrilling to them.
Some of the dialogue and character choices, though, didn’t land as authentic, which made it tough to stay immersed, even for a dystopian setup. From a content perspective, it definitely leans older—probably best suited for readers on the cusp of YA, given some of the heavier themes. Ironically, I’m not sure those 13–15-year-olds would find enough excitement here to keep them hooked.
Overall, Outside will work for a specific slice of the middle grade audience—those ready to think a little deeper, but not quite ready to cross over into YA.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Scholastic via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Since I primarily read ARCs, I focus on how I believe middle grade readers will respond. I sometimes round my rating up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, while doing my best not to let my own personal preferences weigh too heavily.
My Rating System for Middle Grade and Children’s Books
⭐️ 1 Star – Significant problems; I would not recommend it to the intended audience.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – A lot of trouble connecting with it; issues with prose or overall execution, though it may still hold some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – An okay read. I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it, but it has value for young readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – A really enjoyable book! I would recommend it for the appropriate age or reading level.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Outstanding! I would highly recommend it, especially for classrooms or school programs as a great wide-spread reading
October 15, 2025
Razzi lives with her parents, brother, and several other families in a compound after the collapse of civilization. At first, I felt like this was going to be The Road for kids. Confusingly, they have electricity, plumbing, and plenty of food; but I tried not to think too hard.
In an utterly bizarre twist, Razzi gets a heart transplant in the compound. And the heart came from a dog. My suspension of disbelief was unraveling at this point. Yes, this is in the future, but “dog to human heart transplant in a post-apocalyptic compound” is where I have to keep poking holes.
THEN Razzi is mysteriously becoming one with the dog—sort of like ET and Elliott. Wait, what??! I know. I know. The dog’s spirit or something encourages her to leave the compound, and Razzi discovers her parents have been lying to her! The world didn’t end! They are just a bit extra-protective and didn’t like where things were headed, so they moved into this fortress.
Razzi ends up getting reunited with her grandparents, and her parents have visitation rights. So now I’m uncomfortably on THEIR side! The author didn’t make them obviously irrational, reckless, or dangerous enough to get their kids taken away; in fact, they seemed incongruently stable for the unconventional choice they made. I think this is a major flaw. It allows us to see how Razzi could be deceived, but it’s not clear that she’s a victim.
So what is this book about really? Random as ever, the author’s note was to explain that pig to human transplants have already been successful. Right…but now tell me why an apparently competent transplant surgeon is living with these paranoid weirdos willingly rationing toilet paper.
Is it about kids questioning their parents’ choices? Is it about over-protective parenting? Worth noting: there is no religious affiliation.
I should probably add that this is first-person point-of-view, and Razzi’s thoughts are neither sophisticated nor profound. Also sometimes she’s part dog. So don’t read this for the writing…but I will admit that I was curious to find out what was going to happen.
In an utterly bizarre twist, Razzi gets a heart transplant in the compound. And the heart came from a dog. My suspension of disbelief was unraveling at this point. Yes, this is in the future, but “dog to human heart transplant in a post-apocalyptic compound” is where I have to keep poking holes.
THEN Razzi is mysteriously becoming one with the dog—sort of like ET and Elliott. Wait, what??! I know. I know. The dog’s spirit or something encourages her to leave the compound, and Razzi discovers her parents have been lying to her! The world didn’t end! They are just a bit extra-protective and didn’t like where things were headed, so they moved into this fortress.
Razzi ends up getting reunited with her grandparents, and her parents have visitation rights. So now I’m uncomfortably on THEIR side! The author didn’t make them obviously irrational, reckless, or dangerous enough to get their kids taken away; in fact, they seemed incongruently stable for the unconventional choice they made. I think this is a major flaw. It allows us to see how Razzi could be deceived, but it’s not clear that she’s a victim.
So what is this book about really? Random as ever, the author’s note was to explain that pig to human transplants have already been successful. Right…but now tell me why an apparently competent transplant surgeon is living with these paranoid weirdos willingly rationing toilet paper.
Is it about kids questioning their parents’ choices? Is it about over-protective parenting? Worth noting: there is no religious affiliation.
I should probably add that this is first-person point-of-view, and Razzi’s thoughts are neither sophisticated nor profound. Also sometimes she’s part dog. So don’t read this for the writing…but I will admit that I was curious to find out what was going to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2025
As dystopian stories go, I do think this one will captivate younger middle school readers. As an adult who has read many from this genre and clues to what was to come were abundant. The story itself was a bit odd and I had a difficult time getting on board with it. I did, however, enjoy reading it and will recommend it to my students.
October 18, 2025
what in the world
January 10, 2026
Twelve-year-old Razzie, her little brother Bing, her parents, and three other families are some of the only survivors in a post-apocalyptic world. They all live in the reserve, a walled-in compound with a large estate, where they are trying to stay safe and survive. During WW3, an unnamed country dropped poison on the world, killing most humans and animals. Those that did survive become poisoned and now act like zombies.
As the first, or oldest child, Razzie is responsible for setting a good example and protecting the younger kids. But as she gets older, and after a tragic accident involving one of the other children, Razzie begins to wonder what is Outside.
A super heavy dystopian book. It reminds me a bit of The Giver, as the kids are so young and grappling with such deep issues and questions. Honestly, make the older kids teens and throw in a love triangle, and this could be a teen book. It wraps up a bit too quickly and easily and left me with lots of questions and wishing there had been more answers. This one will probably stay with me awhile.
Audiobook was good.
As the first, or oldest child, Razzie is responsible for setting a good example and protecting the younger kids. But as she gets older, and after a tragic accident involving one of the other children, Razzie begins to wonder what is Outside.
A super heavy dystopian book. It reminds me a bit of The Giver, as the kids are so young and grappling with such deep issues and questions. Honestly, make the older kids teens and throw in a love triangle, and this could be a teen book. It wraps up a bit too quickly and easily and left me with lots of questions and wishing there had been more answers. This one will probably stay with me awhile.
Audiobook was good.
December 14, 2025
This started out strong and I thought was going to enjoy it. After the greyhound transplant it went downhill for me. There was not enough background to understand the setting- it was a rushed telling at the end. A much better book with a similar theme and in fact a favorite book of mine, Running Out of Time does a much better job of plot pacing, character development, and theme development. The heart transplant was a distraction to the overall plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2026
Weird. The secondary plot point had no point in the end. I don’t love telling kid readers that their parents could lose their minds over a tragedy. A little bit of hope at the end, I guess, but not enough to redeem.
July 27, 2025
Was not expecting that at all. Wow. I may need to read more of Holm’s other novels.
September 3, 2025
This one is AWESOME! Fabulous ending, and I couldn’t stop reading. Excellent dystopian story with lots of twists and incredible perspective, too.
Middle grade readers… don’t miss it! :-)
Middle grade readers… don’t miss it! :-)
October 18, 2025
Outside will be an easy sell.
I couldn't put this book down and I think kids will really like this story.
I couldn't put this book down and I think kids will really like this story.
December 15, 2025
3.5 - A great middle grade dystopian-ish novel about a girl and her discovery of the world outside her underground commune. Would be a perfect read for 4-6th as it scratches the surface of a dystopian setting with some suspense but nothing too dark.
December 8, 2025
3.5. Interesting throughout. Like Zombieland or Unwind. And then a disturbing ending.
October 14, 2025
Another winner from Jennifer L. Holm!
Outside, the middle grade dystopian novel, sparked my interest, and the short chapters kept me quickly turning the pages. After receiving the heart of a greyhound in a transplant, Razzi notices that she can smell things better and can hear things that the other kids can't hear. She even starts having the greyhound's memories, and this part of the plot truly intrigued me. Middle grade readers will devour this dystopian novel from one of their favorite authors.
Outside, the middle grade dystopian novel, sparked my interest, and the short chapters kept me quickly turning the pages. After receiving the heart of a greyhound in a transplant, Razzi notices that she can smell things better and can hear things that the other kids can't hear. She even starts having the greyhound's memories, and this part of the plot truly intrigued me. Middle grade readers will devour this dystopian novel from one of their favorite authors.
November 26, 2025
Suitably weird. A small group of children are living in isolation in a mansion compound after The Great Poisoning. Examines safety vs freedom.
December 28, 2025
Great middle grade dystopian. Reminded me of Running out of Time by Margaret Haddix. Two thumbs up.
May 24, 2025
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This book follows a group of kids who live on a compound after the great poisoning. However, things are not as they seem.
I thought this book was interesting throughout. I liked following the different characters and relationships. The writing was good and I think kids will enjoy it.
However, I do feel like I’ve seen this trope a lot and this book was very similar to the movie “the village” and it just felt lackluster to me because of that. I knew what was going to happen since it is so similar to that movie.
Overall, not a bad book but I don’t feel like it was super original.
This book follows a group of kids who live on a compound after the great poisoning. However, things are not as they seem.
I thought this book was interesting throughout. I liked following the different characters and relationships. The writing was good and I think kids will enjoy it.
However, I do feel like I’ve seen this trope a lot and this book was very similar to the movie “the village” and it just felt lackluster to me because of that. I knew what was going to happen since it is so similar to that movie.
Overall, not a bad book but I don’t feel like it was super original.
August 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.
I am sad to say this one book was a disappointment for me. Nothing really happened until the very end of the story. Most of it the story focused on life on the Refuge and how the adults wont let the kids go Outside because everyone was killed by war or disease and are now The Poisoned. With the genre being post-apocalyptic, I thought I would devour this book and love it. However…the book takes a HUGE twist that I didn’t see coming, and it was…intriguing, but most of the book was honestly such a drag. Although I am the only person who finds The Boxcar children boring and most people adore the classic tale. The Boxcar Children is even alluded to in the story, so I guess fans of Boxcar Children might find this book more entertaining than I did. The characters felt very flimsy, the dialogue felt forced, and the writing just felt very simple and dull. Sadly, it was not a hit for me but it may simply be NOT my cup of tea.
I am sad to say this one book was a disappointment for me. Nothing really happened until the very end of the story. Most of it the story focused on life on the Refuge and how the adults wont let the kids go Outside because everyone was killed by war or disease and are now The Poisoned. With the genre being post-apocalyptic, I thought I would devour this book and love it. However…the book takes a HUGE twist that I didn’t see coming, and it was…intriguing, but most of the book was honestly such a drag. Although I am the only person who finds The Boxcar children boring and most people adore the classic tale. The Boxcar Children is even alluded to in the story, so I guess fans of Boxcar Children might find this book more entertaining than I did. The characters felt very flimsy, the dialogue felt forced, and the writing just felt very simple and dull. Sadly, it was not a hit for me but it may simply be NOT my cup of tea.
December 31, 2025
First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic Press for providing this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
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⚝ Rating ⚝: 2✩ / 5✩’s
⚝ Review ⚝: This review is going to be incredibly spoiler heavy. While typically, I try to refrain from posting spoilers in reviews, unfortunately, this review will need it in order for the rating to make sense.
I went into 'Outside' fully understanding that this is a middle grade book, so I, as an adult, am generally not the target audience. Still, it sounded like a fun premise: a group of children who survived the end of the world with their parents, now living in a compound, hiding from the dangers outside. Razzie, as the oldest--12 years old, feels the constant pressure of responsibility heavy on her shoulders. She has to be a good role model for the younger children and make sure they are safe from the outside world, particularly, the Poisoned. Though there are never really any descriptions of the Poisoned, they are people who survived 'The Great Poisoning' after the end of a world war and it transformed them into something more animalistic. Essentially, more child friendly zombies. Cool, I can TOTALLY get on board with that. I enjoy dystopian stories.
But from here, is where the spoilers come in. After this point, it seems the author had two relatively good ideas for two different stories, couldn't decide which one to stick to, so shoved them both together.
After a small accident while playing with the other children of the compound, the compound doctor determines Razzie has a bad heart and she has to immediately undergo surgery. She requires a heart transplant and because the world has ended, they can only get a dog heart?? (We're going to ignore how, as far as I understand, that is scientifically impossible for the sake of the children). So, Razzie receives the heart of an ex-racing greyhound named Wind. This begins the first story idea.
After receiving the dog-heart, Razzie starts noticing changes: she can hear things better, she can smell better, her sense of taste has changed, she can no longer eat chocolate, and she is starting to have strange dreams about being a dog and needing to find another dog, another greyhound named Poppy. For entertainment sake, I was on board with the idea enough to keep going. Razzie is taking on traits of dogs and is trying to cope with that while still being the responsible 'First Child'. But the dog in her heart, Wind, has other ideas. Wind wants to chase her younger brother's pet bunny, Wind wants to be outside where the children are expressly forbidden from roaming except for once or twice a year, Wind wants to play, chase, run. But mostly, Wind wants to find Poppy. Razzie tries to bring this up to a few of the adults on the compound, but of course no body believes her. So to settle down Wind, Razzie goes against everything she has ever been taught and sneaks away from the compound.
And now we're in story line #2:
Razzie wanders the woods for days trying to figure out how to find Poppy. She runs from a few Poisoned and tries her best to survive. On a particularly cold and rainy night having just escaped another Poisoned, Razzie comes across a cabin. Throwing caution to the wind and just wanting some shelter with other survivors, Razzie goes to the cabin only to find that a wandering trader they know as the 'Dealer', someone her mother has told her is dangerous and spent time in prison before The Great Poisoning, lives in that home. The fear of being chased by the Poisoned meeting the fear of coming face to face with the Dealer, plus the cold and rain, leads to Razzie passing out. She wakes up on the Dealer's couch, and quickly learns a lot of new things from him and his teenage daughter:
With all that said, if the author had chosen one of these two clashing storylines and stuck with it, I feel like we would have had a much more engaging, well paced story. Instead, we had shaky pacing, and flopping back and forth between two plots that did not meld together and seemed to erase the other plot entirely for entire chapters at a time.
⚝ Audio/Narrator⚝: Narrator Rachel Jacobs is 100% the reason I kept going. She handled the voices of the children so well!
⚝ Representation ⚝: N/A
⚝ TWs ⚝: Animal Death, Child Death, Confinement, Medical Content (heart surgery), mentions of death of loved ones.
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙＊
⚝ Rating ⚝: 2✩ / 5✩’s
⚝ Review ⚝: This review is going to be incredibly spoiler heavy. While typically, I try to refrain from posting spoilers in reviews, unfortunately, this review will need it in order for the rating to make sense.
I went into 'Outside' fully understanding that this is a middle grade book, so I, as an adult, am generally not the target audience. Still, it sounded like a fun premise: a group of children who survived the end of the world with their parents, now living in a compound, hiding from the dangers outside. Razzie, as the oldest--12 years old, feels the constant pressure of responsibility heavy on her shoulders. She has to be a good role model for the younger children and make sure they are safe from the outside world, particularly, the Poisoned. Though there are never really any descriptions of the Poisoned, they are people who survived 'The Great Poisoning' after the end of a world war and it transformed them into something more animalistic. Essentially, more child friendly zombies. Cool, I can TOTALLY get on board with that. I enjoy dystopian stories.
But from here, is where the spoilers come in. After this point, it seems the author had two relatively good ideas for two different stories, couldn't decide which one to stick to, so shoved them both together.
After a small accident while playing with the other children of the compound, the compound doctor determines Razzie has a bad heart and she has to immediately undergo surgery. She requires a heart transplant and because the world has ended, they can only get a dog heart?? (We're going to ignore how, as far as I understand, that is scientifically impossible for the sake of the children). So, Razzie receives the heart of an ex-racing greyhound named Wind. This begins the first story idea.
After receiving the dog-heart, Razzie starts noticing changes: she can hear things better, she can smell better, her sense of taste has changed, she can no longer eat chocolate, and she is starting to have strange dreams about being a dog and needing to find another dog, another greyhound named Poppy. For entertainment sake, I was on board with the idea enough to keep going. Razzie is taking on traits of dogs and is trying to cope with that while still being the responsible 'First Child'. But the dog in her heart, Wind, has other ideas. Wind wants to chase her younger brother's pet bunny, Wind wants to be outside where the children are expressly forbidden from roaming except for once or twice a year, Wind wants to play, chase, run. But mostly, Wind wants to find Poppy. Razzie tries to bring this up to a few of the adults on the compound, but of course no body believes her. So to settle down Wind, Razzie goes against everything she has ever been taught and sneaks away from the compound.
And now we're in story line #2:
Razzie wanders the woods for days trying to figure out how to find Poppy. She runs from a few Poisoned and tries her best to survive. On a particularly cold and rainy night having just escaped another Poisoned, Razzie comes across a cabin. Throwing caution to the wind and just wanting some shelter with other survivors, Razzie goes to the cabin only to find that a wandering trader they know as the 'Dealer', someone her mother has told her is dangerous and spent time in prison before The Great Poisoning, lives in that home. The fear of being chased by the Poisoned meeting the fear of coming face to face with the Dealer, plus the cold and rain, leads to Razzie passing out. She wakes up on the Dealer's couch, and quickly learns a lot of new things from him and his teenage daughter:
With all that said, if the author had chosen one of these two clashing storylines and stuck with it, I feel like we would have had a much more engaging, well paced story. Instead, we had shaky pacing, and flopping back and forth between two plots that did not meld together and seemed to erase the other plot entirely for entire chapters at a time.
⚝ Audio/Narrator⚝: Narrator Rachel Jacobs is 100% the reason I kept going. She handled the voices of the children so well!
⚝ Representation ⚝: N/A
⚝ TWs ⚝: Animal Death, Child Death, Confinement, Medical Content (heart surgery), mentions of death of loved ones.
August 6, 2025
Razzi has lived in the Refuge for as long as she can remember, along with her parents, her little brother Bing, and a small community of adults and four other children. The kids have been told that there was a war, which led to the Great Poisoning, and very few people survived. Now they live in the safety of an abandoned estate, with very structured days, assigned chores, and no exposure to the Outside. While some of the adults venture out to forage for supplies and information, the children are taught to live in fear of people called the Poisoned - those who were exposed to the toxic chemicals of war and now have a zombie-like existence. Razzi is the oldest of the children and is thus expected to set an example for the younger ones and be more responsible, but she chafes at this role, especially since the accidental death of her friend Ollie (whose curiosity about Outside got the best of him).
When the Refuge doctor diagnoses Razzi with a heart defect, he is able to perform a transplant, using the heart of Wind, a greyhound. Post-surgery, Razzi becomes even more frustrated at the confinement of the Refuge as she starts to experience some canine qualities - the need to run, the urge to chase, hypersensitive hearing and smell, and a voracious appetite. After a very vivid dream about another greyhound named Poppy, she is convinced that she needs to get Outside and rescue the dog. She stages a daring escape, and this bold decision leads to a startling discovery which will change her life, and that of the other Refuge residents, forever.
Readers will be hooked from page one as narrator Razzi describes the daily life and organization of the Refuge and slowly reveals the nature of the various relationships within the community. The action is tense and fast-paced, the setting is fascinating, and the storyline is gut-wrenching, and it is all so well-written. Jennifer L. Holm is so good at worldbuilding and adding tiny details that bring the audience into the story – from the structure of the building to the minutiae of a meal to the description of an outfit. Razzi’s connections with the other kids in the compound bring a great deal of realism (and humor) to the dystopian theme of the book; she is an easily annoyed but loving older sister, a fun friend and playmate, and a wise confidant as they contend with their grief over the loss of Ollie. The adult characters are kind but somewhat distant, and are definitely united about the concept of restriction in the name of safety. The last third of the book consists of Razzi’s journey Outside; it is a bit harrowing and worrisome, but readers will enjoy seeing things like street signs, stores, and rest areas through the eyes of someone who has never seen them before. An author’s note shares information about organ transplants and greyhounds. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
When the Refuge doctor diagnoses Razzi with a heart defect, he is able to perform a transplant, using the heart of Wind, a greyhound. Post-surgery, Razzi becomes even more frustrated at the confinement of the Refuge as she starts to experience some canine qualities - the need to run, the urge to chase, hypersensitive hearing and smell, and a voracious appetite. After a very vivid dream about another greyhound named Poppy, she is convinced that she needs to get Outside and rescue the dog. She stages a daring escape, and this bold decision leads to a startling discovery which will change her life, and that of the other Refuge residents, forever.
Readers will be hooked from page one as narrator Razzi describes the daily life and organization of the Refuge and slowly reveals the nature of the various relationships within the community. The action is tense and fast-paced, the setting is fascinating, and the storyline is gut-wrenching, and it is all so well-written. Jennifer L. Holm is so good at worldbuilding and adding tiny details that bring the audience into the story – from the structure of the building to the minutiae of a meal to the description of an outfit. Razzi’s connections with the other kids in the compound bring a great deal of realism (and humor) to the dystopian theme of the book; she is an easily annoyed but loving older sister, a fun friend and playmate, and a wise confidant as they contend with their grief over the loss of Ollie. The adult characters are kind but somewhat distant, and are definitely united about the concept of restriction in the name of safety. The last third of the book consists of Razzi’s journey Outside; it is a bit harrowing and worrisome, but readers will enjoy seeing things like street signs, stores, and rest areas through the eyes of someone who has never seen them before. An author’s note shares information about organ transplants and greyhounds. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
October 11, 2025
What worked:
The setting feels dystopian, as the characters live in a large mansion they call the Refuge. The kids don’t remember what happened, but the adults tell them that a Great Poisoning killed most of the people on Earth. Most of the characters haven’t ventured outside the Refuge because the Poisoned are lurking. The kids are taught the dangers of these infected humans and learn survival techniques in case they ever encounter one. However, Razzi remains curious about what she might find on the Outside. Readers will experience the shock she discovers on the Outside.
Razzi must have a heart transplant, and she develops subtle changes throughout the story. She hears a voice in her head that causes her to behave impulsively, and her hearing and eyesight become more acute. She’s especially attuned to nature, and she reacts strangely to her brother’s pet rabbit. Her parents and friends are confused by changes in her behavior, but they attribute it to puberty. Other traditionally peaceful animals seem to fear Razzi, and she’s even bitten on the finger. She envisions a greyhound in a cage and almost becomes obsessed with finding out what’s happened to it.
The plot addresses a couple of issues that may connect with many young readers. Razzi’s good friend Ollie dies from a terrible accident, and she often thinks about her life with him. Ollie was infatuated with the world outside the Refuge, and readers learn Razzi has developed the same curiosity. His death also makes Razzi the eldest child, and she’s expected to be responsible and perfect as the new First. The adults’ expectations are impossible to meet, and Razzi feels the pressure of being a role model for the younger children. Her fixation with the Outside, Ollie’s memory, and her behavioral differences cause her to make some irresponsible choices. Many readers will be the oldest kids in their families, and they can relate to the occasional unfairness that accompanies that role.
What didn’t work as well:
Readers may be curious about Razzi after the book ends. The changes she goes through after the heart transplant continue once the plot’s conflict is resolved. Do the urges and heightened senses continue, and do others still notice how they affect her personality? Razzi’s changes are the only element of science fiction in the book, which is confusing when reflecting on the overall story.
The final verdict:
Readers may have suspicions about what’s happening, but the plot’s resolution may still be a surprise. This book is reminiscent of a few other middle-grade books, but I recommend you try this one for yourself.
The setting feels dystopian, as the characters live in a large mansion they call the Refuge. The kids don’t remember what happened, but the adults tell them that a Great Poisoning killed most of the people on Earth. Most of the characters haven’t ventured outside the Refuge because the Poisoned are lurking. The kids are taught the dangers of these infected humans and learn survival techniques in case they ever encounter one. However, Razzi remains curious about what she might find on the Outside. Readers will experience the shock she discovers on the Outside.
Razzi must have a heart transplant, and she develops subtle changes throughout the story. She hears a voice in her head that causes her to behave impulsively, and her hearing and eyesight become more acute. She’s especially attuned to nature, and she reacts strangely to her brother’s pet rabbit. Her parents and friends are confused by changes in her behavior, but they attribute it to puberty. Other traditionally peaceful animals seem to fear Razzi, and she’s even bitten on the finger. She envisions a greyhound in a cage and almost becomes obsessed with finding out what’s happened to it.
The plot addresses a couple of issues that may connect with many young readers. Razzi’s good friend Ollie dies from a terrible accident, and she often thinks about her life with him. Ollie was infatuated with the world outside the Refuge, and readers learn Razzi has developed the same curiosity. His death also makes Razzi the eldest child, and she’s expected to be responsible and perfect as the new First. The adults’ expectations are impossible to meet, and Razzi feels the pressure of being a role model for the younger children. Her fixation with the Outside, Ollie’s memory, and her behavioral differences cause her to make some irresponsible choices. Many readers will be the oldest kids in their families, and they can relate to the occasional unfairness that accompanies that role.
What didn’t work as well:
Readers may be curious about Razzi after the book ends. The changes she goes through after the heart transplant continue once the plot’s conflict is resolved. Do the urges and heightened senses continue, and do others still notice how they affect her personality? Razzi’s changes are the only element of science fiction in the book, which is confusing when reflecting on the overall story.
The final verdict:
Readers may have suspicions about what’s happening, but the plot’s resolution may still be a surprise. This book is reminiscent of a few other middle-grade books, but I recommend you try this one for yourself.
August 28, 2025
Twelve-year-old Razzi is growing up with her parents, little brother, six other children, and their parents in a place they call The Refuge. The Refuge is exactly what it sounds like, a place of safety and comfort. The Refuge is the only place the children have any recollection of living. This is home even though 7 children along with their parents all live in this run down mansion within a huge courtyard surrounded by a high wall. Its nice enough and it keeps them safe from The Poisoned. These are the people who survived the nuclear war but we’re mentally poisoned and will kill you if they catch you. The children never go Outside, due to the significance of the danger. Instead, once or twice a year, they are allowed to go in the ample walled off garden surrounding the building they call home. On these rare occasions, they get to briefly smell the fresh air, see clouds, feel the sun and run around!
Things would have gone on like this forever if Ollie hadn’t died. Ollie was the strong willed child who always longed to be Outside. The children were forbidden to visit the attic which has access to the more alluring roof. Desiring to see the beauty and freshness of the Outside,one night Ollie sneaks out to view the stars and breathe fresh air where he stepped on a loose tile and fell to his death. Razzi is the oldest and is expected to lead the other kids and keep them from making unwise decisions like Ollie’s. But after an unplanned yet necessary surgery, Razzi suddenly wants to be outside too. She has been given a heart transplant from a greyhound dog and it works perfectly, except now here senses are much highlighted, she now loves the canned ham she used to despise, and chase is her favorite pastime. Now, SHE has the keen urge to go Outside. Razzi finally gives in to her desire. She hides under a tarp,in the pickup truck so she can get Outsde the next day when Rusty goes out on a Raid for supplies. Then every thing changed.
I’m not sure of the genre here, dystopian, sci-fi, mystery, but it will be a popular choice for middle grade readers. Having read, Haddix’ Running Out of Time I had the climax figured out. The why that this situation even occurred became the thought provoking moment for me. This could be especially true with suspicious and over protective parents in a 21st century society plagued with school shootings, highly contagious viruses and other life threatening events.
I thought the story sad for the children as well as the parents but happy that Razzi had the courage to go Outside.
Things would have gone on like this forever if Ollie hadn’t died. Ollie was the strong willed child who always longed to be Outside. The children were forbidden to visit the attic which has access to the more alluring roof. Desiring to see the beauty and freshness of the Outside,one night Ollie sneaks out to view the stars and breathe fresh air where he stepped on a loose tile and fell to his death. Razzi is the oldest and is expected to lead the other kids and keep them from making unwise decisions like Ollie’s. But after an unplanned yet necessary surgery, Razzi suddenly wants to be outside too. She has been given a heart transplant from a greyhound dog and it works perfectly, except now here senses are much highlighted, she now loves the canned ham she used to despise, and chase is her favorite pastime. Now, SHE has the keen urge to go Outside. Razzi finally gives in to her desire. She hides under a tarp,in the pickup truck so she can get Outsde the next day when Rusty goes out on a Raid for supplies. Then every thing changed.
I’m not sure of the genre here, dystopian, sci-fi, mystery, but it will be a popular choice for middle grade readers. Having read, Haddix’ Running Out of Time I had the climax figured out. The why that this situation even occurred became the thought provoking moment for me. This could be especially true with suspicious and over protective parents in a 21st century society plagued with school shootings, highly contagious viruses and other life threatening events.
I thought the story sad for the children as well as the parents but happy that Razzi had the courage to go Outside.
October 20, 2025
Outside was one of the most moronic books I've read in a long time. I should have known I would have qualms about it going in, once I realized that the author of the book was the same Jennifer L. Holm of another intriguing-turned-idiotic science fiction book I recently read in my quest to find cool middle-grade books for a summer camp setting. I heard about Outside from the local Scholastic Book Fair, and I was excited to read it based on the sort of allegory-of-the-cave allusion that the cover and the blurb gave off.
The story is about Razzi, a twelve-year-old girl who is stuck in the Refuge and sheltered from the Outside by her parents, who have mysterious dealings with Outside people and never talk about the death of one of the children in the Refuge. Okay, cult-like already, which comes into play later, but Holm takes the book off the rails immedaitely from that plot line with a sudden emergency heart surgery that transplates the heart of a GREYHOUND DOG into Razzi and she becomes just fine and dandy after that. In fact, she starts to develop dog traits for seemingly no reason that she can't figure out and none of the adults will listen to her about—except that this dog heart also makes her have food cravings, in the gustatory system of the body, and it makes her have a keener sense of smell, in the olfactory system of the body, neither of which would actually have much connection with the heart's blood pumping at all? So the science there didn't make any sense and baffled and annoyed me the whole way through.
Then, when Razzi does finally decide to flout her parents to go outside, it's because her greyhound dog heart, whom she has named Wind, has the urges to go find its weird lover-dog-counterpart, someone that Razzi/Wind has only felt in an ethereal sense in their dreams, another retired racing greyhound named Poppy. So Razzi risks her life and all she's ever known and been sheltered from on some lark to go find a dog. And , with zero explanation of the world around them, and zero rationale for how any of it could have sense. The whole book ended on a real "what the fuck" kind of note, with my feeling utter disdain and derision for the novel I just read. So no thanks on future Jennifer Holm novels; I think it's safe to say I can write her off completely now.
The story is about Razzi, a twelve-year-old girl who is stuck in the Refuge and sheltered from the Outside by her parents, who have mysterious dealings with Outside people and never talk about the death of one of the children in the Refuge. Okay, cult-like already, which comes into play later, but Holm takes the book off the rails immedaitely from that plot line with a sudden emergency heart surgery that transplates the heart of a GREYHOUND DOG into Razzi and she becomes just fine and dandy after that. In fact, she starts to develop dog traits for seemingly no reason that she can't figure out and none of the adults will listen to her about—except that this dog heart also makes her have food cravings, in the gustatory system of the body, and it makes her have a keener sense of smell, in the olfactory system of the body, neither of which would actually have much connection with the heart's blood pumping at all? So the science there didn't make any sense and baffled and annoyed me the whole way through.
Then, when Razzi does finally decide to flout her parents to go outside, it's because her greyhound dog heart, whom she has named Wind, has the urges to go find its weird lover-dog-counterpart, someone that Razzi/Wind has only felt in an ethereal sense in their dreams, another retired racing greyhound named Poppy. So Razzi risks her life and all she's ever known and been sheltered from on some lark to go find a dog. And , with zero explanation of the world around them, and zero rationale for how any of it could have sense. The whole book ended on a real "what the fuck" kind of note, with my feeling utter disdain and derision for the novel I just read. So no thanks on future Jennifer Holm novels; I think it's safe to say I can write her off completely now.
Read
November 29, 2025Updated to add: a 6th grade student read and liked it, so that's good news coming from the target audience. I didn't share with the student my full opinion, just said "Yeah, wasn't that CRAZY at the end??"
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Based on the summary and the video trailer, I was super excited for this book, and for our younger readers that want this dystopian type of adventure. But sadly, I didn't like it. Spoilers ahead.
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Based on the summary and the video trailer, I was super excited for this book, and for our younger readers that want this dystopian type of adventure. But sadly, I didn't like it. Spoilers ahead.
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