Parents' Guide to

The Fog Diver

By Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Futuristic dystopian novel has clever characters, suspense.

Book Joel Ross Fantasy 2015
The Fog Diver Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Eric M.
Eric M. Parent of 10-year-old
July 15, 2018
age 13+

Some very dark elements

My 10-year-old daughter loved the setting and characters, but there are some dark and disturbing things surrounding the main bad guy. It describes him lowering pregnant women into the fog (many of whom die from this) to see if they'll birth a special child who the bad guy then wants to work to death. Another bad guy killed his parents by kicking them into the fog. My daughter was so bothered by the content we decided not to finish it.

This title has:

Too much violence
Karis M.
Karis M. Parent of 11-year-old
February 18, 2018
age 10+

Fast-paced dystopian adventure

Kids will enjoy the funny interpretations of "the old days", which is our current culture. The kids are brave, resourceful, loyal to Mrs E and each other. Chess struggles with feeling like a freak, but his friends love and accept him and help him feel normal. There is a very brief mention that one of the orphans had two dads. One of the characters is very violent-natured, but not in a graphic way. Kids will enjoy this fast-paced dystopian adventure.
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What's the Story?

THE FOG DIVER takes place in the future, when the earth is covered in a deadly fog that has killed off most people, leaving primarily animals alive. The humans who remain now live in the mountains and must dive into the fog to retrieve food and items for survival. Among the humans is 13-year-old Chess, a boy with one "freak eye" who has the unique ability to survive the deadly fog. Friends Bea, Hazel, and Swedish are determined to find a cure for the fog sickness affecting their designated mother, Mrs. E., who once saved them. To do that, they must traverse a deadly fogscape in a rickety airship beset by pirates and misfits.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Full of suspense and peril, this fresh steampunk adventure is fast-paced, fun, and inventive, with a clever premise of humans fighting for survival despite a deadly shift in atmosphere. With a band of teenagers out to save the day, it weaves in relatable aspects of teen life, fun ideas about the future (cash exists as the best toilet paper around), and questions of identity and belonging that will resonate with any kid who has ever felt like a misfit. It will reward skilled readers and draw in those less likely to gravitate toward longer works.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dystopian novels. Why do you think they're so popular?

  • How realistic does the future universe described here seem? Does it seem possible to you? Why, or why not?

  • Why do you think so many futuristic novels assume we will revert to a barter system?

Book Details

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