We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

Henry’s mother works shifts as a waitress, keeping her out of the house. Henry’s stories of abductions, which he no longer shares, are used as fodder for mockery and cruelty at school. He’s been the victim of alien abductions for years, warping his sense of the world and causing his father to leave the family. Henry is a junior in high school who is enduring several problems. Hutchinson is the author of 11 pieces of YA fiction.Ĭontent Warning: This guide includes depictions of death by suicide, self-harm, depression, bullying, rape, and other forms of violence. We Are the Ants won critical acclaim by ALA, NYPL Best Books, and the Nutmeg Children’s Book Award, among other nominations and awards.

Published in 2016, Hutchinson’s novel questions the value of human life while incorporating science fiction elements to portray the smallness of human existence in the face of our vast universe.