Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sensitive tale of teen's descent into mental illness.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a profound and beautifully written exploration of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, engaging readers with its relatable narrative and strong imagery. While many find it impactful and educational, some feel the heavy themes may not be suitable for younger audiences, emphasizing the importance of approaching the book with caution depending on the reader's age and personal experiences.
- beautifully written
- insightful exploration
- relatable narrative
- heavy themes
- suitable for ages
- emotional impact
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Fifteen-year-old Caden used to like going to school, hanging out with his parents and sister, and designing video games with his friends. But now he thinks someone at school wants to hurt him for reasons he can't explain. He walks the neighborhood for hours on end and experiences frightening, intrusive thoughts. After he's hospitalized, he struggles with the effects of the drugs he's given and tries to make connections with his fellow patients. Meanwhile, Caden daydreams about a mysterious ship where he's under the orders of an erratic, one-eyed captain and an overly talkative parrot. What are the connections between the ship and his medical predicament? And will he ever be able to leave them behind and return home to his family?
Is It Any Good?
CHALLENGER DEEP is a sensitive, nuanced, and keenly observed tale of what it might feel like to have a mental illness. Caden and his family are depicted as fully rounded individuals, and their scenes together are by turns funny, chilling, and heartbreaking. In an author's note, Neal Shusterman reveals that his own family faced some of the same challenges as Caden's; that first-hand experience goes a long way to grounding the novel in reality.
At first, the fantasy scenes aboard the mysterious ship seem disruptive to the momentum of Caden's story, but as they accumulate details from the boy's waking life, they become more involving and, eventually, indispensable. The artwork by the author's son, Brendan Shusterman, offers a glimpse into the emotions of someone dealing with mental illness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how mental illness can affect parents and children. How is treating a mental illness different from treating a physical one?
How can dreams and fantasies reveal truths about what a person is feeling or experiencing?
Does talking about your problems and fears help alleviate them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Brendan Shusterman
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : History , Pirates
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperTeen
- Publication date : April 21, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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