Winner of the 22nd Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award - English Fiction

The comfortable life of Pickles, the calico housecat, is turned upside down when humans succumb to a zombie apocalypse. She doesn’t know where her “pet” – human child Connor – has gone, only that there are zombies everywhere.

Determined to find Connor, Pickles sets off with her cat friends and a streetwise raccoon, exploring a world she has only seen through a window. Fending off human zombies, street cats from the wrong side of the track, and a fearsome gang of chipmunks, Pickles and her crew search for remnants of human society.

Angela Misri is an author and journalist of Indian descent. She was born in London, U.K., and briefly lived in Buenos Aires before moving to Canada in 1982. Angela is the author of the Portia Adams Adventures series and several essays on Sherlock Holmes. In 2019, she published Pickles vs. the Zombies, her first book about animals in a zombie apocalypse, to widespread acclaim. She earned her BA in English Literature from the University of Calgary and her MA in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario. As a former CBC Radio digital manager and the Digital Director at The Walrus, Angela is never offline (although she prefers to write long form in notebooks). Angela plays MMORPGs, speaks several web languages, and owns too many comic books. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Angela Misri's profile page

• Nominated, MYRCA Sundogs
• Winner, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award

"This book finally answers that all important question: what will pets do during a zombie apocalypse? A fast-paced, funny read with a pinch of fear and a dollop of yuck. No matter what kind of pet you have, you’ll love these four-legged survivors."

Arthur Slade, author of <i>The Hunchback Assignments</i> and <i> Crimson</i>

"Pickles and her gang are endlessly engaging, possessing ingenuity, kindness, courage, and awesome sparks of humour."

Quill & Quire

"This is a story about love, friendship, and perseverance, packed with a lot of action (and zombies) that is sure to keep young readers engaged till the very end."

Canadian Children's Book Centre

"A rousing odyssey."

Kirkus Reviews

"The secret life of post apocalyptic pets. Inventive, thrilling and fun!"

Kevin Sylvester, author of <i>MiNRS</i> and <i>The Almost Epic Squad</i>

"This action packed story will appeal to animal lovers and zombie fanatics alike. A novel filled with hope, excitement and a touch of terror, it is sure to be a hit with fans of many different genres."

Rated E for Excellent

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"They made the strangest fellowship since the one in the Lord of the Rings. Instead of a wizard, an elf, and others, this group consisted of several cats, a raccoon, and a hyperactive hamster led by the courageous Pickles determined to find his beloved human, Connor. Angela Misri takes us on a heart-stopping roller-coaster of a ride through sewers, encounters with rats, an evil opossum, and the ever-present zombies. This is a fabulous story of adventure, friendship, and the true meaning of family."

Kathy Kacer, author of <i>I Am Not a Number</i> and <i>The Sound of Freedom</i>

"Pickles vs. the Zombies is a fun read that takes a typical zombie narrative but tells it from the perspective of the pets left behind."

Canadian Review of Materials