Short chapters move back and forth between a conventional narrative of teenager Caden Bosch’s day-to-day reality and his surreal experiences on board a ship where the Captain and a parrot determined to undermine the Captain’s authority each try to get him on their side. Caden’s increasingly upsetting behavior in real life alarms his friends and family. When his parents have him committed to the psychiatric unit of a hospital, it becomes clear that everyone he encounters on the ship—including the parrot—are based on his fellow patients, doctor, therapist, and others. Flashbacks also show memories that have morphed into experiences on the ship in his mind. When Caden is aware of reality, he is sensitive to others, and he is able to use art as a way to express himself and connect. His improvement is not always steady, but as he gets better in the hospital, through therapy and medication trial and error, his insight and empathy fully emerge. There is the feeling of immersion and resurfacing in this novel that draws readers deeper and deeper into Caden’s confusion and then back out with him. The story is based in part on the experiences of Shusterman’s son, Brendan, who created the spot illustrations giving visual dimension to Caden’s often chaotic state of mind. (Age 14 and older)

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."