Throughout the nuclear winter caused by volcanic eruptions, Miranda tries to live life as normally as possible. She goes to the pond to ice skate for as long as she can breathe. She visits her friends, who are not the same people they were before the disaster. The question is, how long can Miranda and her family survive with minimal water, a dwindling food supply, no heat or electricity, and subzero temperatures?
When so many people are giving up hope, starving, and dying of diseases we rarely get, Miranda is still clinging to normality. She still wants to date Dan, her swimming teammate, and she fights with her mother about her father and brothers. During this time of disaster, though, Miranda's best qualities come to light. Her determination helps her family survive a bout of deadly flu. Even though she fights with her mother, Miranda never gives up on loving her. Miranda might not know how long they will survive, but she does know that by working together they stand a chance.
"death is a constant threat, and Pfeffer instills despair right to the end but is cognizant to provide a ray of hope with a promising conclusion. Plausible science fiction with a frighteningly realistic reminder of recent tragedies here and abroad.
Major Themes:
Luxury versus necessity
The importance of family
How people react to disaster
What people will do to survive
Hope and endurance
Civilization versus chaos
Man versus nature
Dealing with loss
. The books are an apocalyptic science fiction series for young adults, though adults can be just as enthralled by them.
The book is in a diary style format written by Miranda, an average teenage girl living in Howell, PA. In the beginning of the story Miranda talks about normal things going on with her family, school, and her friends.
Little did anyone suspect that the collision would change their lives forever.
Then the earthquakes and volcano eruptions increase