Juvenile Fiction
HarperTeen
April 21, 2015
320
A captivating 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. 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. Challenger Deep is a deeply powerful and personal novel from one of today's most admired writers for teens. Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak, calls Challenger Deep "a brilliant journey across the dark sea of the mind; frightening, sensitive, and powerful. Simply extraordinary."
Review:
I really have no idea of how to review “Challenger Deep”, but I am going to try.
It is an extremely well-written book on mental illness, complete with drawings to accompany the story. The plot is very confusing, as it is meant to be, but all becomes clear in the end. If I try to describe much else it will spoil the experience for you, so I am going to stop there. It’s something that needs to be discovered on your own.
I would like to commend Brendan Shusterman, Mr. Shusterman’s son, for sharing his own story with us on the pages. It is not non-fiction, but his own struggles add a very personal touch. Also, his drawings are amazing.
I recommend “Challenger Deep” for anyone middle grade and up who wants to learn about, or is struggling with, any type of mental illness. While it may be difficult at points to read, please stick with it. It is worth it.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence
