87 pages • 2 hours read
Matt de la PeñaThe Living
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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
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 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.
RecommendedReading Age
13+yearsLexile Level
HL700LBook Details
Action / Adventure
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Race / Racism
Class
Society: Class
Natural World: Space & The Universe
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt