Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Futuristic dystopian novel has clever characters, suspense.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
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?
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
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date : May 26, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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