March 2013: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Civilization and technology

After the meteor strikes the moon, services such as telephone, Internet, and television stop, and Miranda writes in her journal that “Civilization has ended.” Do you think people are too dependent on electronic gadgets? Would you feel as Miranda does if you could no longer use the gadgets many people have come to depend on in their daily lives? How would you handle this situation?

Miranda's mom

Why is Miranda’s mom so angry about her leaving the food line to get Dan? Were you surprised by her anger?

Reverend Marshall

Why does Miranda call Reverend Marshall “despicable?” Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

What will happen?

What do you think will become of Miranda and her family?

Different ways of surviving

Miranda and her friends Sammi and Megan have different ways of surviving. Sammi leaves her home with a benefactor; Megan puts her faith in God; and Miranda stays put. Which one of those actions would you take to save yourself and your family, or would you do something different?

What would you do?

What is the likelihood of these types of events taking place? What are more likely scenarios that might cause this type of disruption to normal life? How would we cope with them? How far would you go to survive? Would you share? Steal? Hoard? What happens to our humanity in the face of imminent extinction