The Living by Matt de la Peña is praised for its fast-paced and engaging narrative, vibrant characters, and the realistic depiction of socio-economic divides. However, some critics note that the plot can be predictable and the character development lacking depth. Overall, it's considered an exciting read, especially for young adult audiences.

Fans of high-stakes thrillers with a social edge will enjoy Matt de la Peña's The Living. Ideal for readers of dystopian adventures like Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and survival tales such as Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, it’s perfect for teens and young adults who appreciate a mix of action, intrigue, and thought-provoking themes.

In The Living by Matt de la Peña, Shy Espinoza, a Mexican American high school student, takes a job on a luxury cruise ship to support his family and finds himself amid a series of natural disasters and corporate conspiracies. Shy witnesses a suicide, faces a deadly storm and tsunamis, and ultimately uncovers a pharmaceutical company's sinister plot on a remote island.

Suspenseful / Adventurous / Dark / Emotional / Gritty

**Shy**  
A 17-year-old Mexican American high school student working on a luxury cruise ship to support his family. He is compassionate and mature, dealing with the financial and emotional aftermath of his grandmother's death.

**Carmen**  
An 18-year-old half-Mexican girl who is Shy's fellow crewmate and friend. She and Shy bond over shared experiences, and she remains confident despite enduring class-based discrimination.

**Addison**  
The daughter of a wealthy family, initially treating Shy with disdain but later becoming his ally. Her friendship with Shy grows as they are forced to rely on each other for survival.

**Rodney**  
Shy's cabin mate on the cruise ship, a tall lineman with a dream of becoming a famous chef. He is characterized by his strength and affectionate nature.

**Shoeshine**  
An enigmatic older man working as a shoe shiner on the cruise who reveals a surprising past. He plays a key role in saving Shy multiple times with his resourcefulness and bravery.

**William Henry**  
A wealthy Texan oil tycoon who shows a different side of himself when sharing a lifeboat with Shy. He evolves from making discriminatory remarks to displaying humility and compassion.

**Bill**  
A security officer hired to monitor Shy, with a mission to protect corporate secrets. He remains a dangerous adversary despite having his life saved by Shy.

**Jim Miller**  
The owner of a powerful biotechnology company and key antagonist, portrayed as having a significant impact on the events leading to Shy's hardships. His actions drive much of the conflict.

**David Williamson**  
The lead scientist responsible for creating a catastrophic virus, struggling with the consequences of his actions. His earlier achievements in medicine contrast with his later ethical downfall.

Matt de la Peña

Novel

The Living

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

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Before You Read The Living | SuperSummary

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Overview

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The Living Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue

The Living Prologue Summary & Analysis

Day 1, Chapters 1-6

The Living Day 1, Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis

Day 2, Chapters 7-27

The Living Day 2, Chapters 7-27 Summary & Analysis

Day 3, Chapters 28-30

The Living Day 3, Chapters 28-30 Summary & Analysis

Day 4, Chapters 31-34

The Living Day 4, Chapters 31-34 Summary & Analysis

Day 5, Chapters 35-37

The Living Day 5, Chapters 35-37 Summary & Analysis

Day 6, Chapters 38-40

The Living Day 6, Chapters 38-40 Summary & Analysis

Day 7, Chapters 41-45

The Living Day 7, Chapters 41-45 Summary & Analysis

Day 7, Chapters 46-50

The Living Day 7, Chapters 46-50 Summary & Analysis

Day 8, Chapter 51

The Living Day 8, Chapter 51 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Living Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Living Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Living Symbols & Motifs

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citation

Important Quotes

The Living Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Living Essay Topics

The Living Teaching Unit

Introduction

The Living Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

The Living Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

The Living Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

The Living Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

The Living Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

The Living Activities

Essay Questions

The Living Essay Questions

Exam Questions

The Living Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

The Living Exam Answer Key

The Living

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Living?

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