the dead and the gone | 
| Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Category: Book
List Price: $17.00
Buy New: $10.59
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Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 12436
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.2
ISBN: 0152063110
EAN: 9780152063115
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new hardcover w/dust jacket. First edition/first printing. Gift quality, no marks or shelfwear. We ship daily.
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Product Description
Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.
With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 From J. Kaye's Book Blog November 2, 2008
This book starts out just like "Life as We Knew It" but in a different state.
On Wednesday, May 18 an asteroid hits the moon, knocking it out of orbit and closer to earth. Alex and his sisters are at home when the electricity goes out. His mother is working over time at the hospital, and his father is in Puerto Rico for a funeral. Giant tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters start occurring all over the world. Even dormant volcanoes are starting to erupt; and then spray ash all over the world, making the temperature cooler. And more bad news follows, the subway tunnels flood, and drowns people on the same subway train that his mom takes. He also learns that Puerto Rico has been hit badly. So it's up to him to take care of his sisters. But when food and supplies runs low, he has to turn to other ways to get food and money, such as body shopping. But when Bri, one of his sisters, come down with a disease, it becomes harder to survive.
I had the opportunity to read the previous book, "Life as We Knew It." I love how the author wrote one book that was appealing for girls and one for boys. Her first was more emotional to me, while the second had some dry spots. From my YA boy, he didn't feel that way at all. Also, in the first one, I found parts unbelievable, but not so in the second. Personally, I loved them both. I would, however, suggest the reader start with this book.
 Depressing & unfulfilling October 5, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
We read this book together as a family - two adults and one 11-year old. We anticipated at some point there would be an uplifting moment, but even the ending, though somewhat positive, was a real "downer". I would never recommend this book to anyone, especially those who might have depressing thoughts about life. There is so much death in this book it could give you nightmares. I will tell the librarian that she should read the books before recommending them.
 It is a good book August 26, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Some people maybe too critical of the books they read. Maybe I am not critical enough. I don't know what some of the other reviewers were expecting from this book, but apparently they did not get it. I judge a book on whether or not I want to finish it. There are just too many books to slog through one that I hate. I liked this book and would suggest it to a friend. I would, however, suggest "Life As We Knew It" first. The reason that the book only gets three stars with me is that the topic gets a bit depressing at times. The end of the world and all ....go figure.
A Decent Companion Novel! August 25, 2008
After seeing the reviews on Amazon I was a bit worried about ordering this novel as I was worried that I would be sorely dissapointed with the successor to the amazing "Life As We Knew It." However I was still in that world so I wanted to stay in it so-to-speak so I decided to go ahead and order the companion novel and see what I thought.
Thank goodness I was not put off by the nay-sayers because this novel is a decent read and should not be missed by people that truely liked the first book. This book takes the darker route of the story and I believe that is what many people were put off by.
This novel takes place in New York City where massive flooding occured after the asteriod hit the moon. Alex and his two younger sisters must figure out a way to survive in the midst of the flooding, the looting and the dwindling rations as they wait at home hoping that one of their parents eventually show up. As faith dwindles that either of them is alive, Alex must make some tough decisions to make sure that what family is left will survive to tell future generations about what happened.
Although this tale is MUCH darker and depressing than its predecessor, there is not always roses and sugar in the real world. I was really glad to read what happened where things were worse than in rural PA in this fictional world. This story isn't without hope though and there is always a rainbow (albeit maybe not a bright one) to be seen throughout the story.
another book that I couldn't put down August 22, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
While this novel is about the same events as was Life As We Knew It, The Dead and the Gone is a much different book. It is darker, scarier, and feels more real. Even though I really enjoyed the first one, I have to say that I think this companion is even better. Even though it is a lot more haunting and troubling, I think it follows more closely what would actually happen if something like this did occur in real life. Something I really liked about this book that wasn't present in the first one is Pfeffer's discussion of class. The Morales family lived in an apartment building that the father maintained, but because Alex had received some sort of scholarship (I think), he went to a private Catholic high school, so the majority of his friends had plenty of money. Therefore, many of the people he knew had no problem getting out of New York (it was stated quite explicitly that money and connections can get you anywhere), while Alex and his sisters were forced to stay behind. Class differences aren't often mentioned in fiction, and I definitely think that if this nightmare were to happen in real life, class differences would make a HUGE difference in whether you lived or died. So it was nice to see Pfeffer recognize something like that.
Another blogger mentioned that he/she (can't remember who it was...) felt that the overall premise of these two books was somewhat lacking because if this were to happen in real life, most likely some scientist somewhere would have predicted that an asteroid hitting the moon would have consequences for the earth, and precautions would have been taken before the catastrophe could occur. I do think that blogger is correct, so I was somewhat bugged by that while reading this book, but I forced myself not to think about it and just focus on the story. Awesome story, somewhat shaky premise, excellent writing, great characters... overall a really solid book, one that I'm happy to recommend.
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