Life as We Knew It (novel)

Life as We Knew It is a young adult dystopian novel written by Susan Beth Pfeffer, published in 2006. The story is told through the diary entries of Miranda Evans, a high school student living in Pennsylvania, as she and her family struggle to survive after a meteor strikes the moon, causing catastrophic global consequences.

The novel details the immediate aftermath of the meteor impact, including tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and a significant shift in the Earth's climate. These events lead to widespread devastation, food shortages, and a breakdown of social order. The diary entries chronicle Miranda's experiences with hunger, the loss of loved ones, the challenges of obtaining basic necessities, and the psychological impact of living in a world radically altered by disaster.

Life as We Knew It explores themes of survival, family relationships, resilience, and the importance of community in the face of adversity. It highlights the fragility of modern society and the potential consequences of environmental disasters. The novel is noted for its realistic portrayal of the challenges associated with long-term survival situations and its exploration of human nature under extreme duress. It is the first book in The Last Survivors series, followed by The Dead and the Gone, This World We Live In, and The Life as We Knew It Companion.