Challenger Deep - by Neal Shusterman

About the Book

Caden Bosch lives in two worlds. One is his real life with his family, his friends, and high school. There he is paranoid for no reason, thinks people are trying to kill him, and demonstrates obsessive compulsive behaviors. In his other world, he's part of the crew for a pirate captain on a voyage to the Challenger Deep, the ocean's deepest trench. There he's paranoid, wary of the mercurial captain and his mutinous parrot, and tries hard to interpret the mutterings of his fellow shipmates as they sail uncharted waters toward unknown dangers. Slowly, Caden's fantasy and paranoia begin to take over, until his parents have only one choice left.

Book Synopsis

National Book Award * Golden Kite Award Winner * Six Starred Reviews

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 Quotes

"A brilliant journey across the dark sea of mental illness; frightening, sensitive, and powerful. Simply extraordinary." -- Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak

★ "Haunting, unforgettable, and life-affirming all at once." -- Booklist (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)

★ "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)

"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)

"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)

"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