Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis is an American author best known for writing the I Survived historical fiction series for young readers, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. She serves as editor-in-chief of Scholastic Classroom Magazines and has worked extensively in children's educational publishing. Her I Survived series covers major historical disasters and events through the perspective of child protagonists who experience and survive these incidents. Beyond the I Survived series, Tarshis has written Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and its sequel Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love. These middle-grade novels follow the story of a unique seventh-grade girl navigating social relationships and school life. Prior to becoming an author, Tarshis struggled with reading as a child and did not read fluently until age 14. This personal experience has influenced her approach to writing accessible, engaging historical fiction for young readers who may face similar challenges.

Readers praise Tarshis's ability to make historical events accessible and engaging for young readers. Parents and teachers report the I Survived series helps reluctant readers gain confidence and develop interest in history. Many note how the books balance historical accuracy with age-appropriate content. What readers liked: - Fast-paced narratives that keep children engaged - Clear, straightforward writing style - Educational value while remaining entertaining - Characters that young readers relate to - Historical facts woven naturally into stories What readers disliked: - Some find the writing too simplistic - Formulaic plot structures across the series - Limited character development - Historical details occasionally oversimplified Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Most I Survived books rate 4.2-4.4/5 (50,000+ ratings per book) Amazon: Series averages 4.8/5 (1,000+ reviews per book) Scholastic: 4.7/5 average rating from teachers One teacher reviewer noted: "These books turned my struggling readers into confident ones who now ask for more historical fiction."

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 Ten-year-old George Calder experiences the tragic maiden voyage of the Titanic.

I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 Chet Roscow faces multiple shark attacks along the New Jersey shore during the summer of 1916.

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 Eleven-year-old Barry Tucker attempts to survive when Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans.

I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 Danny Crane witnesses the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while visiting his mother in Hawaii.

I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 Leo experiences the devastating San Francisco earthquake and its aftermath.

I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 Lucas Calley is in New York City visiting his uncle when the terrorist attacks occur.

I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 Thomas and his little sister experience the Civil War's bloodiest battle.

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 Ben is visiting his father's family in Japan when a massive earthquake triggers a tsunami.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree A seventh-grade girl with a logical approach to life tries to help solve her classmates' problems.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love Emma-Jean navigates the complexities of friendship and first romance in middle school.

I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 Young Max Rosen and his sister flee from Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II.

I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 Marcus tries to escape when Mount Vesuvius erupts in ancient Rome.

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 Oscar Starling experiences the devastating fire that destroyed much of Chicago.

I Survived the Children's Blizzard, 1888 John Hale attempts to survive a sudden, devastating winter storm on the Dakota Territory.

Dan Gutman writes historical fiction chapter books featuring young protagonists in sports and adventure scenarios. His Baseball Card Adventure series sends kids back in time to meet famous baseball players, similar to how Tarshis places characters in historical events.

Deborah Hopkinson focuses on historical disasters and significant moments through the eyes of young characters. Her books blend factual research with first-person narratives that put readers in the middle of events like the Titanic sinking and the Great Depression.

Roland Smith creates survival stories where kids face natural disasters and environmental threats. His work includes themes of wildlife, conservation, and overcoming dangerous situations through quick thinking.

Jennifer Nielsen writes about young people caught in historical conflicts and war zones. Her characters navigate real historical events while dealing with issues of loyalty, survival, and moral choices.

Alan Gratz tells stories of children during wartime, natural disasters, and historical turning points. His books follow multiple perspectives of youth caught in events like World War II, 9/11, and refugee crises.