In Life As We Knew It the world is assaulted by deadly natural disasters after a meteor hits the moon and knocks it closer to earth. It begins with giant tsunamis that wipe out much of coastal North America, and continues with, earthquakes, super storms and volcanoes.
The story is told through the journal of sixteen-year-old Miranda. She starts out like any teenager; worried about friends, boys and school. When the disaster happens she does not understand the full impact and has an almost naive hope that everything is going to be ok. She scoffs when her mother, planning for the worst, forces them to stockpile as many supplies as they can, and becomes jealous when her little brother is given more food rations than the rest of the family.
Pheffer’s pacing is spot on. The disasters and climaxes are well placed, making the book difficult to put down. The breakdown of society is touched on but not explored as deeply as it would be in an adult novel.
The best thing about this book is Miranda’s growth. At the beginning there are moments of selfishness and immaturity that would be expected of anyone her age. At this point I actually found her a little annoying, like I was just waiting for her to wake up, snap out of it, and grow up. It’s not until she really begins to see the sacrifices her mother is making that Miranda does this. From that point on the story focuses on her strength and what she is willing to sacrifice to keep her family alive.
It has funny moments mixed with scenes of deep sadness that make you wonder about how you keep going when it appears there is nothing left. I read this book in one day; I think that says it all.
4/5
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