In Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman, sixteen-year-old Alyssa Morrow and her younger brother, Garrett, face a harrowing struggle for survival in California when a water crisis known as the Tap-Out leaves the state without water. Together with their neighbor Kelton, a prepared survivalist, and a girl named Jacqui, they confront numerous dangers, including desperate people and the threat of dehydration, as they search for water and their missing parents, navigating a society on the brink of collapse. This novel includes discussions of violence, threats of sexual violence, and death.

Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman offers a gripping and timely narrative of a dystopian water crisis in California. Readers appreciate its intense plot and realistic portrayal of a community in chaos. However, some find the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it effectively raises awareness about resource scarcity while providing an engaging story.

Readers who appreciate fast-paced, dystopian young adult novels like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer will enjoy Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman. Ideal for those intrigued by survival tales and ethical dilemmas in a dire, near-future setting.

Dark / Unnerving / Suspenseful / Challenging / Emotional

Neal Shusterman

Jarrod Shusterman

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Dry reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Dry | SuperSummary

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Overview

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Dry Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Tap-Out”

Part 1, Chapter 1-Snapshot

Dry Part 1, Chapter 1-Snapshot Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Dry Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Three Days to Animal”

Part 2, Snapshot-Chapter 11

Dry Part 2, Snapshot-Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 12-17

Dry Part 2, Chapters 12-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Chasm Between”

Part 3, Chapters 18-25

Dry Part 3, Chapters 18-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Snapshot-Chapter 29

Dry Part 3, Snapshot-Chapter 29 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Bug-Out”

Part 4, Chapters 30-36

Dry Part 4, Chapters 30-36 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Hell and High Water”

Part 5, Chapters 37-55

Dry Part 5, Chapters 37-55 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “A New Normal”

Part 6, Snapshot-Chapter 56

Dry Part 6, Snapshot-Chapter 56 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Dry Character Analysis

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Themes

Dry Themes

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Dry Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Dry Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

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Dry Further Reading & Resources

Dry Teaching Unit

Introduction

Dry Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

Dry Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Dry Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

Dry Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Dry Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

Dry Activities

Essay Questions

Dry Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Dry Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Dry Exam Answer Key

Dry

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Dry?

Reading Age

Book Details