87 pages 2 hours read

Matt de la Peña

The Living

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Living by Matt de la Peña, Shy Espinoza, a Mexican American high school student, takes a job on a luxury cruise ship to support his family and finds himself amid a series of natural disasters and corporate conspiracies. Shy witnesses a suicide, faces a deadly storm and tsunamis, and ultimately uncovers a pharmaceutical company's sinister plot on a remote island.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Living by Matt de la Peña is praised for its fast-paced and engaging narrative, vibrant characters, and the realistic depiction of socio-economic divides. However, some critics note that the plot can be predictable and the character development lacking depth. Overall, it's considered an exciting read, especially for young adult audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Living?

Fans of high-stakes thrillers with a social edge will enjoy Matt de la Peña's The Living. Ideal for readers of dystopian adventures like Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and survival tales such as Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, it’s perfect for teens and young adults who appreciate a mix of action, intrigue, and thought-provoking themes.

Recommended

Reading Age

13+years

Lexile Level

HL700L

Book Details

Genre

Action / Adventure

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Topics

Race / Racism

Class

Themes

Society: Class

Natural World: Space & The Universe

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt