25 Years of The I Survived Series: Historical Fiction that Captivates and Inspires Kids

Kid Reporter Kush Kalra with author Lauren Tarshis

About 15 years ago, a humble idea for historical fiction books erupted into a worldwide literary phenomenon, now known as the I Survived series. Every novel transports readers into the middle of true, real-life catastrophes. Whether it is a horrific weather occurrence or a pervasive plague, each story illustrates how kids rise to the occasion in the face of disaster. 

In 2010, Lauren Tarshis released her first book, I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912. She never could have imagined that, over the next 15 years, her I Survived series would become a bestseller, printing over 30 million copies to date. Tarshis has published 25 novels in her series and her newest release, I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935, came out this October. 

Tarshis visited the Blue Willow Bookshop’s Tweens Read Book Festival at Dobie High School in Houston where she spoke about her recent novel, where a boy named Ray fights the dangers of the Dust Bowl in the Panhandle of Texas. Tarshis explained why she chose this topic for her 25th book. 

“A lot of kids had been suggesting [this topic] and have also been asking for a story about the Great Depression. So this is sort of two books in one. The research for this was so exciting because I loved visiting places I had never been to, like Amarillo and Dalhart, Texas. It’s been a great experience,” she said. 

The Series Began at Home 

The idea for the series originated in Tarshis’s family. She is a mother of four and noticed her son, Dylan, was having a hard time finding books he enjoyed. 

“Dylan said [to me], ‘I want to read a book about a cool topic with suspense and a main character that’s a kid like me.’ That was really the big inspiration. I saw that when there was a topic that had a real kid in the middle of it, those were the stories that kids really liked to read,” she said. 

It is Not Just About Surviving 

Although each book in the series may be a page turner, the messages and themes are long-lasting and impactful. Tarshis emphasized how she hopes kids will develop curiosity and resilience through reading her novels. 

“I want [kids] to learn about the world, and places they didn't know about, but now feel connected to. I want them to see that people go through really hard things, and it's not just about surviving it. It's about healing, finding help, and being patient about recovering from something scary.” 

The Legacy of I Survived 

As the I Survived books became a New York Times Bestselling series, Tarshis never thought they would reach such fame. She reflected on her experiences writing 25I Survived books over the last two decades and her gratitude for the literary community that supported her ideas. 

“My [original] dream was to write a few books that my son and his friends would like to read. Never did I imagine I would be writing them 15 years later. When I realized it was the 25th book, I got emotional. I took time to think back on the people who have helped me — [the] editors, readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents [who] made the whole experience such a joy.”