Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Summary:

An asteroid hitting the moon shouldn't cause worldwide panic, mayhem, and the end of the world, Right? Well in Miranda's world it does, the moon is a little too close for comfort in small town Pennsylvania. In a sudden moment Miranda is whisked out of school by her mother and assigned to the grocery store to buy several cart loads of food, gasoline, and winter long johns! Miranda finds herself wondering if her mother has gone mad just like everyone else, I mean why long johns in the middle of spring? Months later Miranda can't thank her Mom enough for all the crazy planning, because as the moon gets closer to earth, more volcanoes and earthquakes appear and less sunlight and warmth. Can her brothers and Mom survive and if they can what are they surviving for? What does the future hold for Miranda's family? It is filled with rations of canned peas? Then what kind of life are they living, or are they holding on for each other?

My Opinion:

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is more of an adorable type of dystopia or at least that is how the main character Miranda is represented. She is a growing character, much more aware towards the end of the book, but still holds on to her infinite desire of normalcy with her new life in a world that could be ending. I don't think Miranda as a character should really be whining about boys, privacy, and doing chores when life as she knows it is ending. Yes, I can admit that Miranda does realize all of her faults, but it is a constant battle between being a bigger person and complaining. This was tiring throughout the book especially when neighbors, family, and friends are dying all around her from starvation, dehydration, and diseases. Who knows how any of us would act in the same situation, but I would hope more of us would be a little more forgiving and thankful about actually having food, water, and heat. I was more interested in Miranda's older brother Matt who seemed to have some character! I was also intrigued by Miranda's family dynamic, Pfeffer really does produce a great family story that many readers including will enjoy. I am anxious to read the next few installments of this series to see how these dynamics play out. Overall I did enjoy Life as We Knew It especially examining a family that is facing and dealing with their world catastrophically coming to an end.

Series (Companion Novels are included)

Life as We Knew It

The Dead and the Gone

This World We Live In