How I Saved the World in a Week
by Polly Ho-Yen
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 1 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 9 Jul 2021
Simon and Schuster UK Children's | Simon & Schuster Children's UK
Talking about this book? Use #HowISavedtheWorldinaWeek #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Rule number one: Always be prepared . . .
Billy’s mum isn’t like other mums. All she wants is to teach him the Rules of Survival – how to make fire, build shelter and find food. She likes to test Billy on the rules until one day she goes too far, and Billy is sent to live with a dad he barely knows.
Then the world changes forever as people begin to be infected with a mysterious virus that turns their skin grey. As chaos breaks out, Billy has to flee the city. Suddenly he realises that this is what his mum was preparing him for – not just to save his family, but to save the whole world.
Praise for How I Saved the World in a Week:
‘This tense, haunting zombie thriller perfectly balances terrifying peril with emotional depth.’ – Guardian
‘A fabulous page-turner’ – Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song
‘A compelling and timely survivalist journey’ – Sita Brahmachari, author of Where the River Runs Gold
‘A brave and powerful story’ – Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha & the Spirit Bird
Praise for Boy in the Tower:
‘An unusual and very impressive debut’ – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
Advance Praise
'Polly Ho-Yen’s How I saved The World In A Week is brilliant. A rollicking adventure with family and friendship at its heart.' - Joseph Coelho
'A compelling and timely survivalist journey fighting despair with a brave search light of hope.' - Sita Brahmachari
‘A fabulous page-turner’ - Abi Elphinstone
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781471193545 |
| PRICE | $11.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Average rating from 14 members
Featured Reviews
Linda C, Educator
My class are going to LOVE this book. Eerie, unpredictable and a little bit gruesome, How I Saved the World in a Week has all the ingredients to become a firm favourite and would be a great addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Billy has grown up being told never to trust anyone and to always be prepared. After a survival lesson goes too far, he is separated from his mum and sent to live with his dad, who he barely knows. When a mysterious virus strikes, Billy must put his survival skills into practice in order to save everyone he loves.
I really enjoyed How I Saved the World in a Week and raced through it in one sitting - I was dying to find out what happened next as I found it totally unpredictable. It’s a fast-paced, lively read with a lovable cast of characters and a whole lot of heart. It’s a great addition to the horror/dystopian genre and would be perfect for fans of Jennifer Killick’s Crater Lake. I will definitely be reading this to be my class upon its release. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Isabelle C, Educator
This is my first experience of a novel by Polly Yo Hen and I was not disappointed at all.
This tells the story of Billy. He has grown up quite isolated and told not to trust anyone. His mum Sylvia has been preparing him for survival.
Billy ends up living with his dad and comes across some strange events, through which the survival skills he's learned are needed more than ever.
A great and slightly spooky story of friendship and letting others in. A great read.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Views expressed in promotions/advertisements do not necessarily reflect those of NetGalley or its affiliates.
© 2026 NetGalley LLC
• All Rights Reserved
Views expressed in promotions/advertisements do not necessarily reflect those of NetGalley or its affiliates.