Susan Beth Pfeffer

Susan Beth Pfeffer (born 1948) is an American author best known for young adult science fiction, such as "About David". After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestselling List.

Background

Pfeffer was born in New York City, the daughter of Leo Pfeffer, a lawyer and professor, and his wife, Freda nee Plotkin.[1] She began writing stories as a child. She published her first book, Just Morgan, in 1970, when she was a senior at New York University.[2] After college, she moved to Middletown, New York, where she still lives, and continued to write full-time. She has published more than 75 books.[3]

Pfeffer's books cover the range of children's literature from picture books to young-adult novels. They include biographies, like the Portraits of Little Women series for younger readers, and both historical and contemporary fiction. She also wrote a book for adults about how to write for children. About David (1980) and The Year Without Michael (1987) are two of her books that have received critical notice.[2] Pfeffer says that she enjoys writing about family dynamics.[4] Pfeffer achieved wider notice with her 2006 book Life as We Knew It, a best seller. This became the first of her Moon Crash series.[3] Pfeffer cites the film Meteor as inspiration for the Moon Crash series.

Bibliography

  • Just Morgan (1970)
  • Better Than All Right (1972)
  • Rainbows & Fireworks (1973)
  • The Beauty Queen (1974)
  • Whatever Words You Want to Hear (1974)
  • Marly the Kid (1975)
  • Kid Power (1977)
  • Starring Peter and Leigh (1979)
  • Awful Evelina (1979; picture book)
  • About David (1980)
  • Just Between Us (1980)
  • What Do You Do When Your Mouth Won't Open? (1981)
  • Starting with Melodie (1982)
  • A Matter of Principle (1982)
  • Courage, Dana (1983)
  • Truth or Dare (1984)
  • Kid Power Strikes Back (1984)
  • Fantasy Summer (1984)
  • Make Me a Star series (1985–1986)
  • Getting Even (1986)
  • The Friendship Pact (1986)
  • The Year Without Michael (1987)
  • Thea at Sixteen (1988)
  • Rewind to Yesterday (1988)
  • Evvie at Sixteen (1988; Sebastian Sisters series)
  • Turning Thirteen (1988)
  • Future Forward (1989)
  • Claire at Sixteen (1989)
  • Sybil at Sixteen (1989)
  • Head of the Class (1989)
  • Dear Dad, Love Laurie (1989)
  • April Upstairs (1990)
  • Most Precious Blood (1990)
  • Meg at Sixteen (1990)
  • Darcy Downstairs (1990)
  • Twin Surprises (1991; picture book)
  • Family of Strangers (1992)
  • Twin Troubles (1992; picture book)

  • Make Believe (1993)
  • The Ring of Truth (1993)
  • The Riddle Streak (1993)
  • Twice Taken (1994)
  • Sara Kate, Superkid (1994)
  • Nobody's Daughter (1995)
  • Sara Kate Saves the World (1995)
  • The Pizza Puzzle (1996)
  • The Trouble With Wishes (1996)
  • Meg's Story (1997; Portraits of Little Women series)
  • Jo's Story (1997)
  • Beth's Story (1997)
  • Amy's Story (1997)
  • Justice for Emily (1997)
  • Meg Makes a Friend (1998)
  • Jo Makes a Friend (1998)
  • Beth Makes a Friend (1998)
  • Amy Makes a Friend (1998)
  • Devil's Den (1998)
  • A Gift for Meg (1999)
  • A Gift for Beth (1999)
  • A Gift for Jo (1999)
  • A Gift for Amy (1999)
  • Revenge of the Aztecs (2000)
  • Blood wounds (2011)

Moon Crash Series/The Last Survivors

  • Life as We Knew It (2006), Harcourt Children's Books ISBN 0-15-205826-5.
  • The Dead and the Gone (2008), Harcourt Children's Books ISBN 978-0-15-206311-5.
  • This World We Live In (2010), Harcourt Children's Books ISBN 978-0-547-24804-2.
  • The Shade of the Moon (2013), Harcourt Children's Books, ISBN 978-0-547-81337-0.

Short stories She also wrote some short stories such as As it is with Strangers

Awards

Pfeffer's books have won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, the Buxtehude Bull prize and been named awarded an American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults (2007) and Teens’ Top Ten Booklist in 2007. She was a finalist for the Andre Norton Award, Quill Awards and Hal Clement Award.

References

  1. "Pfeffer, Susan Beth", Encyclopedia.com, accessed June 21, 2014
  2. 1 2 "Susan Beth Pfeffer Biography", Bookbrowse.com, July 2, 2011, accessed June 21, 2014
  3. 1 2 "Interview with Author Susan Beth Pfeffer", Inkweaver Review, April 27, 2009, accessed June 21, 2014
  4. "Author Interview: Susan Beth Pfeffer", The Bookwars, November 4, 2013

Sources

External links

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