Description

Book Synopsis
Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's The Living is a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel.” [Entertainment Weekly, A-]

   Shy takes the summer job to make some money. A few months on a luxury cruise liner--how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two . . . every cruise has a fresh crop of passengers, after all. He'll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills.  
  But then, an earthquake more massive than any ever recorded hits California and Shy's life is changed forever.
The earthquake is only the beginning. Twenty-four hours and a catastrophic chain of events later, Shy is lost at sea, fighting to survive--and stuck with her.
  She's blond and she's rich, and never in her life would she have dreamed she'd be adrift in the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by death and completely dependent on a guy like Shy.
  And Shy hasn't even faced the worst yet.
 
Look for the thrilling sequel, The Hunted, in bookstores now!

Praise for The Living:

“De la Peña has created a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel.”-Entertainment Weekly, A-
 
“Action is first and foremost. . . . De la Peña can uncork delicate but vivid scenes.” —The New York Times

“[The Living] is special because of its extraordinary protagonist, Shy, who I haven’t been able to shake from my mind in the weeks since I read the book.”-John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars

There's no way to classify The Living. It's everything I love mixed into one fantastic, relentless, action-packed story. As always with Matt, the characters are the best part. So real. I loved this book.-James Dashner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Maze Runner series

[STAR] An addictive page-turner and character-driven literary novel with broad appeal for fans of both.-Kirkus Reviews, Starred

[STAR] An excellent, enthralling ride...a great read for those looking for adventure and survival stories.-VOYA, Starred

A Pura Belpré Author Honor Award Winner

An ALSC Notable Children's Book Pick

The Living

Product form

£11.69

Includes FREE delivery

RRP £12.99 – you save £1.30 (10%)

Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 12 Jan 2026.

A Paperback / softback by Matt de la Peña

10 in stock


    View other formats and editions of The Living by Matt de la Peña

    Publisher: Random House USA Inc
    Publication Date: 06/01/2015
    ISBN13: 9780385741217, 978-0385741217
    ISBN10: 0385741219

    Description

    Book Synopsis
    Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's The Living is a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel.” [Entertainment Weekly, A-]

       Shy takes the summer job to make some money. A few months on a luxury cruise liner--how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two . . . every cruise has a fresh crop of passengers, after all. He'll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills.  
      But then, an earthquake more massive than any ever recorded hits California and Shy's life is changed forever.
    The earthquake is only the beginning. Twenty-four hours and a catastrophic chain of events later, Shy is lost at sea, fighting to survive--and stuck with her.
      She's blond and she's rich, and never in her life would she have dreamed she'd be adrift in the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by death and completely dependent on a guy like Shy.
      And Shy hasn't even faced the worst yet.
     
    Look for the thrilling sequel, The Hunted, in bookstores now!

    Praise for The Living:

    “De la Peña has created a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel.”-Entertainment Weekly, A-
     
    “Action is first and foremost. . . . De la Peña can uncork delicate but vivid scenes.” —The New York Times

    “[The Living] is special because of its extraordinary protagonist, Shy, who I haven’t been able to shake from my mind in the weeks since I read the book.”-John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars

    There's no way to classify The Living. It's everything I love mixed into one fantastic, relentless, action-packed story. As always with Matt, the characters are the best part. So real. I loved this book.-James Dashner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Maze Runner series

    [STAR] An addictive page-turner and character-driven literary novel with broad appeal for fans of both.-Kirkus Reviews, Starred

    [STAR] An excellent, enthralling ride...a great read for those looking for adventure and survival stories.-VOYA, Starred

    A Pura Belpré Author Honor Award Winner

    An ALSC Notable Children's Book Pick

    Recently viewed products

    © 2025 Book Curl

      • American Express
      • Apple Pay
      • Diners Club
      • Discover
      • Google Pay
      • Maestro
      • Mastercard
      • PayPal
      • Shop Pay
      • Union Pay
      • Visa

      Login

      Forgot your password?

      Don't have an account yet?
      Create account