The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza
Shaun David Hutchinson
About this book
A Junior Library Guild Selection “Surreal, brainy, and totally captivating.” —Booklist (starred review) “Provocative and moving.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Hutchinson artfully blends the realistic and the surreal.” —School Library Journal (starred review) From the critically acclaimed author of We Are the Ants and At the Edge of the Universe comes a mind-bending, riveting novel about a teen who was born to a virgin mother and realizes she has the power to heal—but that power comes at a huge cost. Sixteen-year-old Elena Mendoza is the product of a virgin birth. This can be scientifically explained (it’s called parthenogenesis), but what can’t be explained is how Elena is able to heal Freddie, the girl she’s had a crush on for years, from a gunshot wound in a Starbucks parking lot. Or why the boy who shot Freddie, David Combs, disappeared from the same parking lot minutes later after getting sucked up into the clouds. Other things that can’t be explained are the talking girl on the front of a tampon box, or the reasons that David Combs shot Freddie in the first place. As more unbelievable things occur, and Elena continues to perform miracles, the only remaining explanation is the least logical of all—that the world is actually coming to an end, and Elena is possibly the only one who can do something about it.
Censorship history
In 2025, "The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza" was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States due to its LGBTQ+ and sexual content. The bans were often initiated by parent-teacher associations (PTAs) and resulted in formal complaints that led to school board votes, with some districts upholding the bans despite pushback from advocates for LGBTQ+ representation in literature. The book's controversial themes sparked significant debate, reflecting ongoing tensions surrounding the inclusion of diverse narratives in educational settings.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | LGBTQ+Sexual |
