Living 01

Shy took the summer job to make some money. In a few months on a luxury cruise liner, he'll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills. And how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two—every cruise has different passengers, after all.

   But everything changes when the Big One hits. Shy's only weeks out at sea when an earthquake more massive than ever before recorded hits California, and his life is forever changed.

   The earthquake is only the first disaster. Suddenly it's a fight to survive for those left 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, New York Times bestselling author of the Maze Runner series and The Eye of Minds

[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

"De la Peña (I Will Save You) delivers near-constant action, a high body count, and a compelling cast of characters in this socially aware thriller."-Publisher's Weekly

"Peña takes the time to establish some solid rapport among his characters before unleashing the mayhem, though, and the central disease and drug scam is so viciously immoral that readers will probably book passage on the upcoming sequel, to learn whether Shy and his two smokin'-hot love interests will bring the bad guys to their knees."-The Bulletin

 "Adventure survival enthusiasts will relish the vivid and raw descriptions of the sinking ship, blistering sun, and shark-infested waters. But most appealing is the empathetic teen, portrayed as a tough guy with a romantic side, who will appeal to both males and females, and is likely to appear in the upcoming sequel."-School Library Journal

"A  straight-up tour de force, a breathless, horrifying dash into the void...he fun of de la Peña's latest is how unexpectedly he blends genres, making this, in a sense, four books in one: a finely observed social-class drama, an on-the-sea survival adventure, a global-disaster book, and a contagion thriller."-Booklist

Pura Belpre Author Honor Award Winner

An ALSC 2014 Notable Children's Book Pick

Praise for LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET:

A Winter 2014-2015 Kids' Indie Next Pick!

“This celebration of cross-generational bonding is a textual and artistic tour de force.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Like still waters, de la Peña and Robinsons story runs deep. It finds beauty in unexpected places, explores the difference between whats fleeting and what lasts, acknowledges inequality, and testifies to the love shared by an African-American boy and his grandmother.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The urban setting is truly reflective, showing people with different skin colors, body types, abilities, ages, and classes in a natural and authentic manner… A lovely title.”—School Library Journal

“It's also the warmth of [the]intergenerational relationship that will make this book so satisfying, for both young readers and the adults sharing it with them.”—New York Times Book Review 

Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Pena's The Living is "a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel. Entertainment Weekly, A-]
Shy took the summer job to make some money. In a few months on a luxury cruise liner, he'll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills. And how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two every cruise has different passengers, after all.
But everything changes when the Big One hits. Shy's only weeks out at sea when an earthquake more massive than ever before recorded hits California, and his life is forever changed.
The earthquake is only the first disaster. Suddenly it's a fight to survive for those left living.
Look for the thrilling sequel, The Hunted, in bookstores now

Praise for The Living
De la Pena 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 Pena 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 Belpre Author Honor Award Winner
An ALSC Notable Children's Book Pick"

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesnt he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.

 

This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Penas vibrant text and Christian Robinsons radiant illustrations.

“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

Shy took the summer job to make some money. In a few months on a luxury cruise liner, he'll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills. And how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two—every cruise has different passengers, after all.

But everything changes when the Big One hits. Shy's only weeks out at sea when an earthquake more massive than ever before recorded hits California, and his life is forever changed.

The earthquake is only the first disaster. Suddenly it's a fight to survive for those left living.