Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

Challenger Deep

by Neal Shusterman

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.

--Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak

Reviewed by Bianca on

4 of 5 stars

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“This not be the world you think it to be.”

“Then what world is it?”

“Don’t you know? ’Tis a world of laughter, a world of tears. But mostly, it’s a world of tears.”


— I wanted to give this a 5, because it was a really good portrayal of mental illness. It’s very insightful and you’d know that the author really put a lot of thought in writing it. My only problem is it wasn’t that engaging, so it made me somewhat disinterested.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 15 July, 2018: Finished reading
  • 15 July, 2018: Reviewed