A tale of survival after a giant tsunami in California, through the eyes of a cabin boy aboard a luxury cruise ship. All apocalyptic survival tales are about how power shifts when civilization crumbles, but few are illuminated with the awareness of class, privilege, and racial identity that de la Pena brings to The Living. And the best part is, it's a blazing page-turner even before the world ends.

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 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 twoevery 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. More Praise for The Living: [The Living] is special because of its extraordinary protagonist, Shy, who I havent 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 "De la Pena (I Will Save You) delivers near-constant action, a high body count, and a compelling cast of characters in this socially aware thriller."-Publishers Weekly "Pena 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 Pena'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 From the Hardcover edition.

This novel about three boys growing up on the "worst block" in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn combines childhood capers with sharp and authentic character studies. The engine of the story is Needles, a kid whose nickname derives not from drugs, but from the knitting skills he uses to keep his Tourette's under control. His twin brother's best friend, Ali (hence the title), narrates, bringing a practical, youthful wisdom to this moving story of loyalty among friends, families, and communities.

In Bed Stuy, New York, a small misunderstanding can escalate into having a price on your headeven if youre totally clean. This gritty, triumphant debut captures the heart and the hardship of life for an urban teen. A lot of the stuff that gives my neighborhood a bad name, I dont really mess with. The guns and drugs and all that, not really my thing. Nah, not his thing. Alis got enough going on, between school and boxing and helping out at home. His best friend Noodles, though. Now theres a dude looking for troubleand, somehow, its always Ali around to pick up the pieces. But, hey, a guys gotta look out for his boys, right? Besides, its all small potatoes; its not like anyones getting hurt. And then theres Needles. Needles is Noodless brother. Hes got a syndrome, and gets these ticks and blurts out the wildest, craziest things. Its cool, though: everyone on their street knows he doesnt mean anything by it. Yeah, its cool...until Ali and Noodles and Needles find themselves somewhere they never expected to be...somewhere they never should've beenwhere the people aren't so friendly, and even less forgiving.

Breakfast Club meets the zombie apocalypse—five teens take cover in their high school while the undead mass outside. From this oddball Hollywood premise, Summers wreaks harrowing psychological intensity. For narrator Sloane, abused by her father and near to committing suicide, the end of the world is almost a blessing. It affords time to heal and the opportunity to look for the biggest piece missing from her life—her runaway sister. A brilliant exploration of how abused teens are always fighting against apocalyptic odds.

Barricaded in Cortege High with five other teens while zombies try to get in, Sloane Price observes her fellow captives become more unpredictable and violent as time passes although they each have much more reason to live than she has.