Life as We Knew It

I came across this series after I read the Hunger Games. As much as I love the Hunger Games, I've re-read each of these books at least three more times. It's so insightful, and compelling. I find new details each time I read them. If you or your kids enjoyed the Hunger Games, this is an excellent series and will bring up some interesting topics of conversations of family, technology and priorities in life.

There are reasons more adults are reading juvenile fiction, and this book is one of them.
Only one editing hole that I noticed, on page 33 Dan asks her to the prom, and on page 58 she laments that Dan did not ask her to the prom.
Otherwise, Pfeffer writes as if she has real kids and understands them.

Very good read. Not just for young readers. Few problems with narrative as author missed some key science points (Moon would not suddenly be much closer to Earth after collision with asteroid but would have slowly spiraled in; several others) but these do not detract materially from story). And the ending is too pat. But highly recommend.

I have seldom experienced the particular effect this book had on me. First of all, it was hard to put down, and when I did, particularly when I was interrupted, I found myself surprised to be back in the real world; surprised to have electricity, air conditioning, food in the cupboard. So, the book's transporting, and I think it may have something to do with the journal-entry approach to the story, written by a sixteen year old girl whose main problem is her mother and no date for the prom . . . that is, until the moon is hit by an asteroid.

The story is told simply, with just the right touch of emotion, and the voice of the heroine is genuine. I absolutely believed in her. What's more, I wanted to know what would happen. Most apocalyptic fiction starts after an apocalyptic event. This one gives us the character's ordinary life, tells us quickly about the event that will prove disastrous, and as she awakens to the reality of that calamity she shares with the the reader the intensity of her experience, which we feel right along with her.

As a diary, very similar to Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl (Everyman's Library (Cloth)) and the Book of Maggie Bradstreet The Book of Maggie Bradstreet Bradstreet the story is told from one point of view and it's the way the pages turn, as day by day she realizes the enormity of the crisis she faces, that makes us believe. We're brought right along with her.

The book is well written, great for any age, and I look forward to the next in the series.

This is slightly different from the usual comet hits earth scenario, this time it hits the moon with the inevitable ecological disaster following in it's wake. The story unfolds quietly through the diary of a teenage girl and is all the better for it. I like it's understated nature. I like how the story develops without the usual over-the-top dramatics. It might be slow for those who like plenty of action and violence. Here, that is played down, only hinted at, instead the writer concentrates on the more human side of the disaster and how it affects one family. It's a good story, well told. I would recommend it.

Another book that is good for its own demographic. But another reminder that most YA - Lit is not 'Harry Potter' or 'Hunger Games'. Considering picking up the second book.

It's probably the grown-up in me, but I'd like to see more tragedy. :)

I read this book without great expectations and I couldn't stop reading. The story is light and shows the evolution of the caracter, illustrating a difficult scenario. I do not agree with the passivity of humanity described, but i have to say that I loved the book.

Makes one think, which is always good. Didn't care for journal entry format. Miranda grated on my nerves. Just okay rating for an okay book. The Tommorrow Series was similar in terms of journal entry format but did a slightly better job in pulling the reader in.
Hope the rest of this series is better.

I actually read this book for free from the library first. I liked it so much that I bought it. I can't emphasize enough how much I LOVED this book! It takes you through so many emotions! The moon gets knocked way closer to the earth. then it wreaks havac on the earth tidal waves, crazy weather, earth quakes etc...
It will make you appreciate the basic things you have in your life..like food, water, clean clothes, etc... What this family had to go through just to stay alive!!! I am a mother not a teenager. I believe that Life As We Knew it is for any/every age group. I recommend this book to everyone I know who reads! Buy it!!!

I thought this was a pretty original, nicely done YA book. Big bonus points for the author managing to avoid any creepy relationships with grossly inappropriate partners that make you want to shake actual young adults and say "stay away from people like that!"

Pertinent side note: dystopian and/ or apocalyptic story lines like this remind me why my "in case of world ending, break glass" plan is eating bullets in the back yard. Yes. I am deeply honest with myself, and with *myself* currently a myopic vegetarian with a near- romantic attachment to electricity, internet and hot water on demand, I can say with some confidence I would not be a great soldier to face the oncoming doom.
Oh, apocalypse brewing? Check, please.

But enough about me. It's a mad decent book.

I really enjoy the post-apocalyptic genre and Life As We Knew It was no exception. And what I liked about this story was the realism. It's not boom, end of the world, fight for your lives. It is about a family who slowly realizes that they have to change their way of life in order to survive. The diary entry form of writing is enticing and realistic, especially when Miranda reflects on past passages, like a real journal writer often does. The characters are likable for the most part and the topic was well researched. The reason I couldn't give the book 5 stars was because it is not fast paced. The entire book is about food, which I suppose is what the end of the world would be like, but I found it tedious to read about. But still, very enjoyable, very realistic and a recommended read.

The first three books are amazing! I could not put them down. They made me think really hard about things that could happen in our life. The fourth book made me more upset and angry. I had a difficult time liking Jon.

This book was masterful and kept me turning the pages. It also made me start thinking about hoarding food and supplies in case of such events. Couldn't stop reading and also read the next two in the trilogy.

The symbolism in this novel was more than heavy handed, typical 'teenage girl' narrator seemed overworked. Interesting concept, not great follow through. The angst was less than engaging, plot plodding, characters flat. I wasn't grabbed by this novel, but if post-apocalyptic teenage crisis is your cup of tea, plow on ahead.