Skip to main content

Teen SRC 2022 – Life as We knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

I would recommend the book Life as We Knew It written by Susan Beth Pfeffer because it is practical and heavy-hearted. The story begins with a meteor unexpectedly crashing onto the moon and knocking the moon closer to the earth. It might’ve seemed negligible, but according to the book, this caused tsunamis and floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes, which caused the ashes to block the sun. The blazing hot summer suddenly turned to Arctic winter, and people died from freezing temperatures, diseases and starvation. This horrific situation forces Miranda to grow up quickly to save her friends and family, and she inevitably discovers what is truly important in life. 

Most of the story was practical because of the procedures they took to survive this disaster, such as gathering as much food and supplies (candles and batteries), filling up the gas, chopping wood and restricting daily spending. This book is heavy-hearted because most of the story is depressing and despairing. The characters had to sacrifice a lot while struggling to physically and mentally keep going and survive to the very end. “Life as We Knew It” is told in a form of journal entries, and I found it a unique way to narrate the story. Since it’s told in a first-person perspective, it is easier to understand and “experience” the story. 

Read More

Teen SRC 2018 – The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, Eleanor Roosevelt

Related imageThis was Anne Frank’s diary, written in the Amsterdam attic where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years. In it is an account of her days in the confined quarters with her various companions, containing her yearning for affection, rebellious clashes with her parents, romance, and wry, candid observations of her companions. She faced hunger, fear of discovery and death, and frustrations of living in such confined quarters. This book has become a world classic and a testament to the human spirit.

 

Teen Review – The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is about growing up in high school, with a family that nurtures secrets, and lies, and amongst friends who are confusing personalities more than anything else- all from the point of view of Charlie, a 15-year-old Wallflower stuck in the midst.

I like this book because of the style of writing. Instead of being narrated from a third-person’s perspective, the story reveals itself slowly, from letter to letter. It’s almost like you’re putting together a puzzle, or finding the plot, as you read, picking up clues from each one of Charlie’s letters.

In all, I give this book a 3/5 rating.

Teen Review – Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Miranda’s had a normal life with friends and a stepfather while living with her mom and brothers. Until asteroids hit the moon and knocked it closer to Earth, which was the beginning to a series of disasters, as the moon is responsible for many of the Earth’s environmental conditions. Thunderstorms knocked out the electricity, floods killed millions of people on coastal areas. And that was just the beginning. Volcanos erupted under the increased gravitational pull from the moon. Ash blocked all traces of sunlight, causing plants to wither and die. Fortunately, Miranda’s mom always thinks of the worst that can happen, giving her family a better chance of surviving the new environment on Earth.

This amazing sci-fi book would keep you on edge until you flip the last page.

Teen Review – When Kacey Left by Dawn Green

When Kacey Left by Dawn Green

Kacey and Sara have been the bestest of friends ever since they were little, doing everything together. Then Kacey left.

After Kacey’s sudden disappearance, Sara’s world completely changed. No one to skip classes with, hang at the beach or talk to. Worse, everyone at school is exchanging glances with Sara and are whispering about her. Her parents forced her to see a counsellor, who makes Sara write letters to Kacey daily to help her deal with her grief.
Now that Kacey is gone, it’s up to Sara to try to understand what it all meant and accept her loss.Read More