Challenger Deep

Description: A powerful and captivating novel about mental illness, Challenger Deep is a 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 behaviour. 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.

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 *
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 *
A powerful collaboration...[Caden's] story turns symptoms into lived reality in ways readers won't easily forget. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *
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) *

Author Biography: Neal Shusterman is an award-winning author whose books include the Arc of a Scythe series (Scythe, Thunderhead and The Toll), the New York Times bestselling Unwind series and Dry, co-written with his son, Jarrod. Challenger Deep was the winner of a National Book Award. Neal also writes screenplays for film and television, for shows such as Goosebumps and Animorphs. He lives in Florida and has four children.