Challenger Deep

 

Challenger Deep 

Author: Neal Shusterman; Illustrated by Brendan Shusterman 

Publisher: HarperCollins

Year Published: 2015 

Genre:  Realistic Fiction 

Reader Recommendation: 

• High School Students
• Students seeking to explore the topic of mental health
• Emotionally mature students 

Challenger Deep: Caden Bosch lives in two worlds, one visible to the world and one invisible to everyone else around him. Caden has schizophrenia, and his internal struggle begins to express itself through what appears to be his increasingly detached behavior. As Caden descends into the depths of his mind, he struggles to distinguish what is real from what is not. 


Challenger Deep Book Trailer 

 

Why Challenger Deep? Challenger Deep is a real, raw, and honest expression about the realities of mental illness. This novel allows readers to step into Caden's mind as they journey with him through the taverns of his mind. Through this novel readers can develop compassion, awareness, and sensitivity for those experiencing mental illness while giving students who can relate to Caden a character who faces similar struggles they do. 

Themes:  

Mental Health Challenger Deep explores the topic of mental health through Caden's story and struggles. The book addresses how his schizophrenia impacts his friendships and family relationships as well as his experiences with medication and therapy.

Reality Caden loses his grip on reality as he delves deeper into the world inside his mind. Readers are faced with questions about what is real and what is not.

Identity/Self   Through his story, Caden seeks to find himself and discover the meaning behind his world and who he is. He seeks to express his inward turmoil at times through his drawings and sketches. 

Challenger Deep would fit within units discussing everyday struggles/battles, real-life stories, and exploration of self. 

Teaching Challenger Deep:
Connection Activity: Give students time to free sketch at the start of class. Play music in the background and have kids sketch about anything they are feeling. Can serve as a morning mindfulness activity. 

Ending Stigma: Lead students in a discussion about how they can end stigma about mental illness. Use the discussion to create a class pledge that all students sign. 

Title Meaning: Have students write about their thoughts before and after reading based on the title. What does the title mean to them? 

Guest Speaker: Invite in a speaker who can speak to Caden's experiences. 

Additional Resources:
Author Website: http://www.storyman.com/books/challenger-deep/
Teaching resources and additional book information

National Book Award: Neal Shusterman- http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2015_ypl_shusterman.html#.WDCRy30YPqo

Interview with Neal Shusterman & Brendan Shusterman: Story Behind the Story  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etTQujVv37o