Susan Beth Pfeffer

Susan Beth Pfeffer is an American author who has published over 75 books during her writing career spanning more than four decades. She gained particular recognition for her post-apocalyptic young adult series "Life As We Knew It," which earned spots on The New York Times Best Seller list. Born in 1948 in New York City, Pfeffer began her writing career remarkably early, publishing her first book "Just Morgan" in 1970 while still a senior at New York University. Her father was a lawyer and professor, and she is the first cousin of children's book author Ellen Conford. Pfeffer's work spans multiple genres within young adult literature, though she is most acclaimed for her science fiction novels. Her "Life As We Knew It" series, also known as "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, explores the aftermath of a catastrophic astronomical event and its impact on society. Throughout her career, Pfeffer has received several literary accolades, including the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award in 1979 and the Buxtehude Bull in 2010. After writing professionally for 35 years, she retired from publishing while leaving a significant legacy in young adult literature.

Readers consistently praise Pfeffer's "Life As We Knew It" series for its realistic portrayal of family dynamics during crisis situations. Many reviews highlight her ability to create tension and anxiety through diary-style entries. What readers liked: - Detailed survival scenarios and practical considerations - Strong character development, especially family relationships - The psychological impact of disaster on teenagers - Fast-paced narrative style What readers disliked: - Later books in series felt repetitive - Some found the scientific premise unrealistic - Characters sometimes make illogical decisions - Religious themes felt heavy-handed to some readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Life As We Knew It" (Book 1) - 3.88/5 (147,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 average across series Common Sense Media: 4/5 parent rating, 4/5 kid rating One reader noted: "The diary format makes the apocalypse feel personal and immediate." Another criticized: "The science doesn't hold up to scrutiny, which breaks immersion."

Life as We Knew It (2006) Through diary entries, a teenage girl documents life after an asteroid hits the moon, causing worldwide climate changes and societal collapse.

The Dead and the Gone (2008) A companion novel following a teenage boy in New York City as he struggles to protect his sisters during the same lunar catastrophe.

This World We Live In (2010) The characters from the previous two books meet as they continue to survive in a world forever altered by the moon's changed orbit.

The Shade of the Moon (2013) Set two years after the moon catastrophe, this entry follows the youngest son from the first book as he navigates life in an enclave of privileged survivors.

Just Morgan (1970) A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl dealing with family relationships and personal growth during her senior year of high school.

Kid Power (1977) An eleven-year-old girl starts her own neighborhood odd-jobs business to earn money during summer vacation.

About David (1980) A teenage girl copes with her brother's death and its impact on her family relationships.

Rick Yancey His "The 5th Wave" series focuses on survival in a post-apocalyptic world after an alien invasion devastates Earth. His writing style emphasizes personal narratives within large-scale disasters, similar to Pfeffer's approach to catastrophic events.

Ann Brashares Her work centers on complex family dynamics and coming-of-age stories that explore relationships during times of change. She writes primarily for young adults with an emphasis on emotional depth and character development.

James Dashner His "Maze Runner" series deals with teenagers facing survival scenarios in a changed world. His work incorporates themes of isolation and adaptation to catastrophic circumstances.

Neal Shusterman His "Unwind" series examines societal collapse and its impact on young people. He writes about characters dealing with moral choices in transformed worlds, focusing on survival and human nature.

Meg Rosoff Her "How I Live Now" explores teenagers surviving during a war that transforms their world. She writes from young protagonists' perspectives as they navigate through devastating circumstances that alter their lives.