The Dead and Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Pfeffer, B. (2010). The Dead and Gone. New York: Harcourt Children's Books. ISBN:

9780152063115

Plot Summary

  The sequel to Life as we Knew It follows Alex Morales, a seventeen year old Puerto Rican and his sisters Briana and Julie as they struggle after disaster. The story is the same as the first, a meteor has hit the moon which knocked it out of orbit and brought it closer to Earth. This book takes place in New York City and it is plagued by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and the terrible famine and disease. Alex must protect his sisters in the absence of their parents, even raiding dead bodies for valuables. 

Critical Evaluation

  I was a little disappointed with this book because it was like I was trying to finish really fast to get ready for the third book. I already knew what was going to happen with the moon and the series of disasters that would follow. The characters were well defined and thought provoking, Beth has once again brought the realistic and terrifying possibility of disaster and struggle of survival to light. Alex is a strong lead character who not only has to grow up and take care of his sisters, but he is also struggling with his faith, Followers of this series really don't need to read this book to get the understanding of this series. The ending also bothered me that Alex and his sisters were able to get out, it was almost a forced happy ending, and it left it a little unbelievable. 

Readers Annotation

  How far would you go to survive?

Information about the Author

  Susan Beth Pfeffer was born February 17, 1948 in New York, New York. Susan wrote her first published novel while in her last semester at New York University when she was just 20 years old. She wrote five pages a day for five days until she finished her book in one semester. Ever since that first book she has published at least one book a year. 

  Susan grew up in the city and nearby suburbs and she spent her summers in the Catskill Mountains. Her father was a published author who encouraged her to write. Her first book as a child was about the relationship between a pair of scissors and an Oreo cookie. Susan has won numerous awards and citations for her work that ranges from picture books to books about writing for adults. She enjoys watching movies, collecting movie memorabilia, reading biographies and eating foods that are bad for her. She still lives in New York with her two adopted cats. 

Genre

  Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

  This book can be used in English courses or after school workshops. Students can write their own disaster paper. 

Booktalking Ideas

  - Would you be able to send away a family member if you knew they would have a better life, or would you rather keep everyone together?

  - Do you think that Alex and his sisters will really reach safety?

  - Has there ever been a time when your faith has been questioned?

  - Do you think Alex had an advantage that Miranda didn't because he was very religious?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Violence, gore, alcohol use, religion
   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I read the first book and I just had to read the second in order to read the third.