Susan Beth Pfeffer
Susan Beth Pfeffer was an American author best known for young adult and science fiction. After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels, officially titled "The Life as We Knew It Series", but often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.
Life and career
Pfeffer was born in Manhattan, New York City, on February 17, 1948, the daughter of Leo Pfeffer, a lawyer and professor, and his wife, Freda Plotkin, a secretary. She was the first cousin of fellow children's book author Ellen Conford. Pfeffer's family lived in Queens before moving to the suburbs of Nassau County, New York. She began writing stories as a child.She published her first book, Just Morgan, in 1970, while she was a senior at New York University. After college, she moved to Middletown, New York, and continued to write full-time. She published more than 75 books.
Pfeffer's books cover the range of children's literature from picture books to young-adult novels. They include biographies for younger readers, and both historical, such as the Portraits of Little Women series, and contemporary fiction. She also wrote a book for adults about how to write for children. About David and The Year Without Michael are two of her books that received critical notice. Pfeffer said that she enjoyed writing about family dynamics. Pfeffer achieved wider notice with her 2006 book Life as We Knew It, a bestseller. This became the first of her Moon Crash series. Pfeffer cited the film Meteor as inspiration for the Moon Crash series.
Pfeffer died from endometrial cancer at her home in Monroe, New York, on June 23, 2025, at the age of 77.
Works
Just Morgan Better Than All Right Rainbows & Fireworks The Beauty Queen Whatever Words You Want to Hear Marly the Kid Kid Power Starring Peter and Leigh Awful Evelina About David Just Between Us What Do You Do When Your Mouth Won't Open? Starting with Melodie A Matter of Principle Courage, Dana Truth or Dare Kid Power Strikes Back Fantasy Summer- Make Me a Star series Getting Even The Friendship Pact The Year Without Michael Thea at Sixteen Rewind to Yesterday Evvie at Sixteen Turning Thirteen Future Forward Claire at Sixteen Sybil at Sixteen Head of the Class Dear Dad, Love Laurie April Upstairs Most Precious Blood Meg at Sixteen Darcy Downstairs Twin Surprises Family of Strangers Twin Troubles Make Believe The Ring of Truth The Riddle Streak Twice Taken Sara Kate, Superkid Nobody's Daughter Sara Kate Saves the World The Pizza Puzzle The Trouble With Wishes Meg's Story Jo's Story Beth's Story Amy's Story Justice for Emily Meg Makes a Friend Jo Makes a Friend Beth Makes a Friend Amy Makes a Friend Devil's Den A Gift for Meg A Gift for Beth A Gift for Jo A Gift for Amy Revenge of the Aztecs
- ''Blood wounds''