Awards

• Nominated for Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award 2015
• Short-listed for Green Mountain Book Award 2016
• Winner of Pura Belpre Narrative Honor 2014

Overview

Full Product Details

9780385741217

Table of Contents

Reviews

Entertainment Weekly, November 13, 2013: The Living seamlessly incorporates his trademarks (racial identity, class, street slang) into a lightning-paced page-turner...De la Pena has created a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel. A- New York Times Book Review, November 10, 2013: Action is first and foremost in 'The Living'...The breathless conclusion, with an escape by helicopter and a cliff-top showdown, sets up a sequel, scheduled to be published next year. NPR Weekend Edition, November 23, 2013: A disaster epic, a survival story, and a coming-of-age novel filled with the life of a young man who's becoming aware of class, prejudice, and romance. - Scott Simon Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2013: It's a harrowing, exhilarating ride right up to the cliffhanger ending. An addictive page-turner and character-driven literary novel with broad appeal for fans of both. Starred Review, Shelf Awareness, October 23, 2013: In Matt de la Pena's compulsively readable thriller...the breakneck plot will draw readers in, but Shy's personal discoveries about how the world is skewed toward those in power, and his decisions to do the right thing, will hold their attention. The Rumpus, November 6, 2013: The Living is action-driven but doesn't lose the literary form, while still exploring the themes of race and class. Booklist, September 1, 2013: Much of the fun of de la Pena's latest is how unexpectedly he blends genres, making this, in a sense, four books in one: a finely observed social-class drama, an on-the-sea survival adventure, a global-disaster book, and a contagion thriller. School Library Journal, October 2013: Adventure survival enthusiasts will relish the vivid and raw descriptions of the sinking ship, blistering sun, and shark-infested waters. But most appealing is the empathetic teen, portrayed as a tough guy with a romantic

De la Pena has created a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel. -Entertainment Weekly, A- Action is first and foremost. . . . De la Pena can uncork delicate but vivid scenes. --The New York Times [The Living] is special because of its extraordinary protagonist, Shy, who I haven't been able to shake from my mind in the weeks since I read the book. -John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars [STAR] An addictive page-turner and character-driven literary novel with broad appeal for fans of both. -Kirkus Reviews, Starred [STAR] An excellent, enthralling ride...a great read for those looking for adventure and survival stories. -VOYA, Starred [STAR] In Matt de la Pena's compulsively readable thriller...the breakneck plot will draw readers in, but Shy's personal discoveries about how the world is skewed toward those in power, and his decisions to do the right thing, will hold their attention. -Shelf Awareness, Starred A disaster epic, a survival story, and a coming-of-age novel filled with the life of a young man who's becoming aware of class, prejudice, and romance. -NPR Weekend Edition De la Pena delivers near-constant action, a high body count, and a compelling cast of characters in this socially aware thriller. -Publishers Weekly Adventure survival enthusiasts will relish the vivid and raw descriptions of the sinking ship, blistering sun, and shark-infested waters. But most appealing is the empathetic teen, portrayed as a tough guy with a romantic side, who will appeal to both males and females, and is likely to appear in the upcoming sequel. -School Library Journal A straight-up tour de force, a breathless, horrifying dash into the void...the fun of de la Pena's latest is how unexpectedly he blends genres, making this, in a sense, four books in one: a finely observed social-class drama, an on-the-sea survival adventure, a global-disaster book, and a contagion thriller. -Booklist A Pura Belpre Author Honor Award Winner An ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book A Junior Library Guild Selection

Author Information

Matt de la Peña is the first Mexican American author to win the Newbery Medal. He attended the University of the Pacific on a basketball scholarship and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at San Diego State University. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he teaches creative writing. The Living is his fifth novel and was named a Pura Belpré Honor Book. Look for his other books, Ball Don't Lie, We Were Here, I Will Save You, and The Hunted, all available from Delacorte Press. You can also visit him at mattdelapena.com and follow @mattdelapena on Twitter.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available