Publisher Description

A captivating, National Book Award-winning novel about mental illness that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman. Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak, calls it "a brilliant journey across the dark sea of the mind; frightening, sensitive, and powerful. Simply extraordinary."

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.
Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.
Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence to document the journey with images.
Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.
Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.
Caden Bosch is torn.

Notes

A powerful and personal novel from a New York Times bestselling author. A lingering story about mental illness, with haunting illustrations by the author's son.

Back Cover

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench. Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior. Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images. Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head. Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny. Caden Bosch is torn. A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens.

Author Biography

Neal Shusterman is the award-winning author of more than thirty books for teens that span many genres. He has also written screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as "Animorphs" and "Goosebumps". He won the "Boston Globe-Horn Book" Award for "The Schwa Was Here" and has had numerous books on American Library Association and International Reading Association award lists, including "Unwind" and "Everlost". Neal lives in Southern California with his four children.

Review

"A thoroughly realistic story...Both male and female readers will find this compelling while acquiring a deeper compassion and understanding. "--Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) "A brilliant journey across the dark sea of mental illness; frightening, sensitive, and powerful. Simply extraordinary."--Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak "Shusterman does a masterful job...The intensity of living inside Caden's mind makes this a wrenching read."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) "Teens, especially fans of the author's other novels, will enjoy this book. This affecting deep dive into the mind of a schizophrenic will captivate readers, engender empathy for those with mental illnesses, and offer much fodder for discussion."--School Library Journal (starred review) "Haunting, unforgettable, and life-affirming all at once."--Booklist (starred review) "Clearly written with love, the novel is moving; but it's also funny, with dry, insightful humor. Illustrations by the author's son Brendan, drawn during his own time in the depths of mental illness, haunt the story with scrambling, rambling lines, tremulousness, and intensity."--Horn Book (starred review) "An adventure in perspective as well as plot, this unusual foray into schizophrenia should leave readers with a deeper understanding of the condition."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A powerful collaboration...[Caden's] story turns symptoms into lived reality in ways readers won't easily forget."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Moving, funny, and insightful, Challenger Deep is about a boy named Caden who's dealing with schizophrenia. Disorienting at times and emotionally poignant at others, this award-winning novel will make you ponder the complexities of mental illness."--Brightly

Prizes

Winner of National Book Awards (Young People's Lit.) 2015
Commended for Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards (Fiction) 2015
Commended for Tayshas Reading 2016

Review Quote

"Teens, especially fans of the author's other novels, will enjoy this book. VERDICT This affecting deep dive into the mind of a schizophrenic will captivate readers, engender empathy for those with mental illnesses, and offer much fodder for discussion."

Details