Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life As We Knew It series includes a companion novel titled The Dead and the Gone. This 2008 young adult dystopian fiction focuses on the experiences of Alex Morales and his family in New York City after an asteroid strikes the moon, causing widespread devastation through tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. The narrative centers on Alex’s struggles to keep his younger sisters safe amidst societal collapse and dwindling resources.
The novel offers a valuable exploration of resilience, family bonds, and the complexities of survival under duress. By shifting the narrative perspective from the original series protagonist, Miranda, to Alex, Pfeffer provides a fresh lens on the catastrophic events and their impact on diverse communities. The story highlights themes of faith, resourcefulness, and the importance of community in times of crisis. It contributes to the broader discourse on disaster preparedness and the potential consequences of significant global events.