Life As We Knew It
Encyclopedia
Life As We Knew It is a young adult science fiction
novel
by American
author Susan Beth Pfeffer
, first published in 2006 by Harcourt Books. It is the first book in the "Moon Crash Trilogy", followed by The Dead and the Gone
.
In 2007 it was named as one of the Best Books For Young Adults by the American Library Association
and placed seventh in the Teens' Top Ten vote, also run by the ALA. In addition, Life As We Knew It was a finalist for the Andre Norton Award
, the Quill Awards
and the Hal Clement Award.
Read the book
. She notes that "it got [her] thinking about how the people who have the most to lose if the world comes to an end are kids," and wanted to see how her characters would cope with a situation that was out of their control.
said that "death is a constant threat, and Pfeffer instills despair right to the end but is cognizant to provide a ray of hope with a promising conclusion. Plausible science fiction with a frighteningly realistic reminder of recent tragedies here and abroad." Ilene Cooper said in her review for Booklist
that "each page is filled with events both wearying and terrifying and infused with honest emotions. Pfeffer bring's cataclysmic tragedy very close."
's Best Books for Young Adults in 2007, and shortlisted for the Andre Norton Award
for Outstanding Science Fiction or Fantasy Book of 2007. In addition, it won the Booklist
Editor's Choice Award for Books for Youth (Older Reader's Category) in 2006. It was nominated for the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award and the Truman Readers Award of 2008-2009. It is also a Black eye Susan book for the state of Maryland
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author Susan Beth Pfeffer
Susan Beth Pfeffer
Susan Beth Pfeffer is a New York Times bestselling author best known for young adult science fiction. She is also known for writing "About David" and the series often called "The Last Survivors," consisting of Life as we Knew it, The Dead and the Gone, This World we Live in, and the forthcoming ...
, first published in 2006 by Harcourt Books. It is the first book in the "Moon Crash Trilogy", followed by The Dead and the Gone
The Dead and the Gone
The Dead and the Gone is a young adult science fiction novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Released in hardcover in May 2008, it is the second book in The Last Survivors, following Life As We Knew It and preceding This World We Live In.-Background:...
.
In 2007 it was named as one of the Best Books For Young Adults by the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
and placed seventh in the Teens' Top Ten vote, also run by the ALA. In addition, Life As We Knew It was a finalist for the Andre Norton Award
Andre Norton Award
The Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, named to honor prolific science fiction and fantasy author Andre Norton , is a yearly juried award presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to the author of an outstanding young adult science fiction or...
, the Quill Awards
Quill Awards
The Quill Award was an American literary award that ran for three years in 2005-07. It was a "consumer-driven award created to inspire reading while promoting literacy." The Quills Foundation, the organization behind the Quill Award, was supported by a number of notable media corporations,...
and the Hal Clement Award.
Read the book
Background
Pfeffer was inspired to write her novel by the movie MeteorMeteor (film)
Meteor is a 1979 science fiction Technicolor disaster film in which scientists detect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth and struggle with international, cold war politics in their efforts to prevent disaster. The movie starred Sean Connery and Natalie Wood.It was directed by Ronald Neame...
. She notes that "it got [her] thinking about how the people who have the most to lose if the world comes to an end are kids," and wanted to see how her characters would cope with a situation that was out of their control.
Reception
Kirkus ReviewsKirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
said that "death is a constant threat, and Pfeffer instills despair right to the end but is cognizant to provide a ray of hope with a promising conclusion. Plausible science fiction with a frighteningly realistic reminder of recent tragedies here and abroad." Ilene Cooper said in her review for Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
that "each page is filled with events both wearying and terrifying and infused with honest emotions. Pfeffer bring's cataclysmic tragedy very close."
Awards
Pfeffer's book was named Young Adult Library Services AssociationYoung Adult Library Services Association
The Young Adult Library Services Association , established in 1957, is a division of the American Library Association. The mission of YALSA is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to...
's Best Books for Young Adults in 2007, and shortlisted for the Andre Norton Award
Andre Norton Award
The Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, named to honor prolific science fiction and fantasy author Andre Norton , is a yearly juried award presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to the author of an outstanding young adult science fiction or...
for Outstanding Science Fiction or Fantasy Book of 2007. In addition, it won the Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
Editor's Choice Award for Books for Youth (Older Reader's Category) in 2006. It was nominated for the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award and the Truman Readers Award of 2008-2009. It is also a Black eye Susan book for the state of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.