87 pages 2 hours read

Matt de la Peña

The Living

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

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Introduction

The Living

  • Genre: Fiction; young adult thriller/adventure
  • Originally Published: 2013
  • Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 700L; grades 9-12
  • Structure/Length: 8 parts (“Days”); 51 chapters; approx. 364 pages; approx. 8 hours on audio
  • Protagonist and Central Conflict: American high school student Shy Espinoza takes a summer job on a cruise ship to help with family bills after the death of his grandmother, a victim of the epidemic known as Romero Disease. A series of strange events on the ship, such as witnessing a man’s death by suicide, discovering an unidentified man following him, and finding his cabin broken into, leave Shy mystified. When a terrible earthquake and subsequent tsunamis destroy the ship, Shy finds himself a castaway on a remote island home to LasoTech, creators of the Romero Disease vaccine. Amidst danger and intrigue, the truth begins to emerge.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Epidemic; death by suicide; murder; violence; natural disaster

Matt de la Peña, Author

  • Bio: Writer of children’s picture books, short fiction, young adult novels, and essays; completed MFA in Creative Writing at San Diego University; earned the National Council of Teachers of English Intellectual Freedom Award (2016); a picture book, Last Stop on Market Street, earned the Newbery Medal (2016)
  • Other Works: Mexican Whiteboy (2008); We Were Here (2009); Superman: Dawnbreaker (2019)
  • Awards: Pura Belpré Award (2013)

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By Matt de la Peña