LIFE AS WE KNEW IT by Susan Beth Pfeffer

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pfeffer, Susan Beth. 2006. LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt. ISBN 0152058265

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel tells the story of a sixteen year old girl, Miranda, and her family’s terror through a series of events.  Everything is normal, or as normal as it can be for a teenager, until a meteor hits the moon forcing it closer to earth.  Miranda’s astonishment of what has just happened quickly turns into fear and panic.  Tsunamis destroy cities, thunderstorms shut off power, other natural disaster begin to affect everyone.  Miranda and her family retreat to their sunroom where they spend a great length of time with limited supplies of food and water. 

Pfeffer writes this novel in first person through the eyes of Miranda.  The novel is written through a series of journal entries.  Pfeffer writes a well developed and plausible plot with such believable details.  In a 2006 review, School Library Journal states: “Pfeffer tones down the terror, but otherwise crafts a frighteningly plausible account of the local effects of a near-future worldwide catastrophe.”  The reader is able to feel like they are in this situation and going through Miranda’s life with her. 

Readers will be able to relate to Miranda on many levels.  Readers can relate to her family issues, wanting love, wanting to date, and possibly the terror of her experiences due to natural disaster or other traumatic events.  In a 2006 review, Booklist states: “…this disquieting involving story depicts one family’s struggle in a world where food, warmth, and well-being disappear in the blink of an eye.”  If the reader has experienced a natural disaster they will be able to relate to parts of this book in great depth. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, October 2006

*BOOKLIST, September 2006

*PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, October 2006

*HORN BOOK, November 2006

*KIRKUS REVIEW, September 2006

*Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Absorbing from first page to last.”

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“ I guess I always felt even if the world came to an end, McDonald’s would still be open.”

*“I wonder if I’ll ever have to decide which is worse, life as we’re living or not life at all.”

*“We may not have a future, but you can’t deny we have a past.”

*“I hate the moon.  I hate tides and earthquakes and volcanoes.  I hate a world where things that have absolutely nothing to do with me can destroy my life and the lives of people I love.”

*“Here’s the funny thing about the world coming to an end.  Once it gets going, it doesn’t seem to stop.”