Lauren Tarshis ​

Lauren Tarshis is an American author best known for her 'I Survived' series of children's historical fiction. The series, which includes books such as 'I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912', focuses on historical, natural, and man-made disasters from the perspective of a child survivor.

Quick Facts ​

• Author of the "I Survived" series aimed at children.
• Each book focuses on a historical disaster from the perspective of a child who lived through it.
• Her books have been translated into several languages.
• A graphic novel adaptation of the "I Survived" series has been released.
• The books are often used in educational settings to teach history.

Background ​

Tarshis was born in 1963 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She grew up in a family where reading and writing were valued and encouraged. She studied English and French literature at Tufts University. After graduation, she moved to New York City to work in book publishing - first at Scholastic, then at HarperCollins, where she became a senior editor.

In 2010, she published her first children's book, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree, which was critically acclaimed and nominated for several awards. But it was with the creation of the "I Survived" series in 2011 that she found huge success. Each book in this historical fiction series focuses on a child who survived a major event in world history. The series became incredibly popular with young readers around the world. She continues to write and publish within the series.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Tarshis' writing is best known for her historical fiction books for younger readers. Her style is characterized by its approachability, ability to convey historical facts with emotion and empathy, and her skill at engaging readers with action-packed stories. Furthermore, her writing has been acclaimed for its capacity to make historical events more relatable to young readers, igniting an interest in history and making it easier for them to understand the context and consequences of past events.

Notable Works ​

• I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 (2010)
• I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 (2011)
• I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 (2014)
• I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 (2012)
• I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011 (2015)
• I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 (2013)