FlumeAward – This World We Live In Discussion page for This World We Live In by Susan Pfeffer
Really need to read the first two to understand this book.
Kelly Budd
Keene High School
The first book in this series is really the best one. I looked over my goodreads review of this and saw I gave it 3 stars and pegged it as a ‘downer’. I do like survival stories, but maybe I felt it needed more hope in it. — Julie Andrews, Nashua Public Library
I loved Life As We Knew It, wasn’t so hot about The Dead and the Gone, and was thrilled to have Miranda back as narrator in this one, and, as I got more into the book, I wondered when Alex was going to show up, since I knew that was the premise of this book. And then he did. I just don’t like him. And I really don’t like the romance thing. He’s a jerk. And he’s the only boy around who isn’t her brother. That doesn’t equal mad, passionate, I’m-going-to-leave-my-family-for-him love.
And don’t even get me started about the ending. Besides the whole big decision Miranda has to make, If she writes another book in the series: SELLOUT. If she doesn’t, What is up with the cliff-hanger?! I was really enjoying this third book until the last third of it. I enjoy speculating about how people would survive in this world. I enjoy seeing how these characters that I care about do. But I have to say, now that I’ve finished it, I’m leaving it with a tear-stained face, not least due to Miranda’s poor decision-making skills, throwing her family under the bus, and very disappointed.
This one, since it includes both Alex (from book 2) and Miranda (from book 1) should really be read after the first two to be understood. There’s not enough recapping to make it make sense otherwise. Good for both girls and boys, though.
Kirsten Rundquist Corbett, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton
I totally agree with the reviews above. The book needs the others, and it was the least well-written of all three. I will say, however, that some of my middle school girls loved them all and would recommend, but I don’t for the list. It’s just one of those books you have to read because you read the other 2.
Kathy Watson, Kimball Library (Atkinson)