Life As We Knew It

Pfeffer, S. (2006) Life As We Knew It. San Diego, CA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

 

Review:

 

Miranda Evans tries her best to avoid looking at the moon. It’s too strong a reminder of what has changed, and not for the better.  When a massive meteor hits the moon, this sixteen year old girl’s world is turned upside down.  She’s still alive, though – so far – which makes her of the lucky ones.

 

Pfeffer’s portrayal of an apocalyptic earth is often engaging and extremely realistic.  However, unfortunately for readers, starvation is not the most exciting crisis to read about, no matter how likely an event.  This is not a terribly hopeful book, but it is thought provoking and worth reading.

 

While the seriousness of the topic suggests this title as being for teens and up, I would actually say it works best as a tween novel.  I rather think most older teens would find Miranda’s lack of curiosity about, for example, the political state of the world, to be rather odd and juvenile.  (Although I may be projecting there.)  Older children and very new teens, however, are more likely to find the grim possibilities presented in the book to be a new and mature take on a popular sub-genre.  Best for 10 to 14.

Awards and Reviews:

ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2007)

ALA Teens Top Ten (2007)