Parent and Kid Reviews on

Life as We Knew It

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Our Review
age 12+

Based on 13 parent reviews

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age 10+

A Little Boring for 8th Graders

For 14 year old students, they found the book to be boring with a few interesting parts. They hoped that more emphasis would be on disasters with more of a thriller. The main character writes a lot of her personal home experience, emphasizing her feelings--expected for a diary. I guess that students expected more action and scientific explanations. The book has a gentle approach to what is happening around the world. It's a good book for 10 to 12 year olds but boring for 13 + students.

This title has:

Educational value
age 12+

Makes You Think About What is Really Important

I wasn't too happy when I learned that my soon to be sixth grader has a summer reading assignment for his pre-AP English class next year. Haven't we worked our overachievers enough this school year? My aggravation disappeared when I read the book. The book is extremely well written. It is a book that a kid would want to read for entertainment. It doesn't have to be force fed. I agree this book covers a terrifying subject, but the message in the book is strong. The book makes us think about what is really important in life. I see this summer reading assignment as a great opportunity to approach important subjects with my son when he gets back from Christian church camp next week...yes, we are religious. We do not fear reading materials that make us question someone's devotion to God. I have no doubt my avid Christian reader will finish this book in one day long sitting. The book is that good. I look forward to hearing his thoughts about the characters, and the choices that they make.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
age 14+

Fun disaster book with a few iffy topics

I would not give this to anyone under 14. While it is a fun, quick read it does have some mature topics such as sex, an underage girl going off with a 40-year-old man, and eating issues (one girl starves herself to death because of her view on religion). It is not a book I would give to my young teen to read on their own.

This title has:

Too much sex
age 12+

Must read

Just finished this book and loved it. It was very well written and hard to put down. Disturbing but not in a way that would traumatize anyone.
age 16+

Boring and somewhat disturbing

We read this for our mother-daughter book club. The fact that Sammi (a minor) takes off with a 40 year old (George) that she met four weeks ago is not only disturbing...it's illegal. Sammi said "Love at first sight. At least for him, which is a good thing. He can have any girl he wants. I'm lucky he wants me". What?!? Pfeffer brushes over this incident in chapter 8. It scares me to think about young, impressionable readers absorbing this information without an adult to let them know it's NOT okay. I'm surprised this book received so many positive reviews. I found it to be annoyingly negative, redundant and boring. Our group is not afraid to tackle difficult and emotional subjects. We welcome those books. I would never recommend this book to others.
age 11+

Children love this book!

I loved this book, it's my cup of tea on a rainy day. I recommend this book to any young children around the globe. You never even consider putting the novel down. Even my elderly friends enjoy this intense novel. The children of the world love this book! i give it 1 million stars of rating. Great novel.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much consumerism
age 12+

MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

after reading this book in three days, it got me thinking what i really find important. i kept thinking i needed to conserve the food in my kitchen i got so wrapped up!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
age 12+

Good disaster Novel will really make you think.

When I first saw this book at a school book fair and read the back (as I always do), I was positive I'd like it, and I really did. The story is about a teenager who live in a time not too far in the future, and her world totally changes when an asteroid knocks the Moon closer to Earth's orbit. It was very dramatic to see the main character's world change from a normal life to a severe fight for survival, and the story (which is expressed through journal entries) really makes you think about what would happen to you in this situation. Inappropriate content: For this kind of book, there isn't too much too worry about (unlike the last book in the series). There are some scary moments and the occasional cuss word. Overall this is a very solid title, and I think if you're a teenager older , this is definitely worth a buy. Overall rating: In for ages 12 and up and 8.5/10

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
age 13+

Gets you thinking. What would you do?

I really enjoyed this book. I think it gets you thinking about what the future might hold you. When you read about Miranda growing up because she has to and you see what life could be like without all the luxuries we have today, I think it is a real eye opener. I also felt like it was a fast read (I'm also 21....). the chapters go by fast and it is very easy to follow and understand. Some parts were sad but I think it's important for kids to realize all they have to lose. I'm more grateful for what I have now that I've read this book.

This title has:

Educational value
age 13+

Depends on how easily you freak out

This is a great book, but scary. If your kid is a worrier, it will probably be a bit too much if they are under 13. Maybe even over 13. Very easy to place yourself in the situation. I enjoyed it, but it even freaked me out a little. Good book. Will scary the cheese out of some kids though.