Life As We Knew It: Summary and book reviews of Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, plus links to an excerpt from Life As We Knew It and a biography of Susan Beth Pfeffer.

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove. Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.

BookBrowse

Miranda's diary entries record her changing viewpoint as her perspective shifts from self-centered adolescent angst, through anger and petulance, to eventual resignation in this challenging coming-of-age novel that has drawn comparisons to Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now and The Diary of Anne Frank. Recommended for teens aged 13+.  (Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).

Full Review (732 words).

Media Reviews

VOYA ..the plot is plausible and appealing to readers who may not usually explore the genre, especially middle grade females.   School Library Journal - John Peters Grade 6-8. The author provides a glimmer of hope at the end, but readers will still be left stunned and thoughtful.   Kirkus Plausible science fiction with a frighteningly realistic reminder of recent tragedies here and abroad.   Booklist - Ilene Cooper Starred Review. Each page is filled with events both wearying and terrifying and infused with honest emotions. Pfeffer brings cataclysmic tragedy very close.   Children's Literature This novel goes far beyond the expectations of a sci-fi novel, and the reader will not be disappointed in the ending.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Mommadoo2018
major inaccuracy
As I read the book Life As We Knew It, I kept wondering how Miranda and her family managed to have water. Then it was stated that they were on a well. I live in the country and have well water, and I can tell you EMPHATICALLY that if there...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Katniss Everdeen
Terrible Book
I found that this book had no real climax and the thoughts were very scattered, it was hard to relate to the main character and it was very boring. If you want to read a good piece of literature, read The Hunger Games series, this book is not worth...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Mom of 2
Still making me think
I read this book 6 months ago and I still think about it often. It was a very exciting book and really made me wonder if I have what it takes to survive a tragedy such as this. I wish more middle schools would have the kids read this. There are...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Raven Solis
Best Book Ever
A fiction book with realistic events. Full of drama and suspense and some humor. I couldn't book the book down even if I wanted to eat. An amazing book

Rated of 5 by Anonymous
"Life As We Knew it"~ Susan Beth Pfeffer
Amazing, with a hint of suspense. Each action leads to another in this adventurous experience of Miranda and her family. This "diary" is a great point of view of what life might be when it comes to an end. The beginning pulls you right...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Anonymous
Life As We Knew It
This book kept me sucked in the whole time! The struggles of Miranda seemed so real through reading her journal entries. I would give it a 6 out of 5 if I could!! A round of applause for Susan Pfeffer! :)

...35 More Reader Reviews

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