Analysis Of Neal Shusterman's Challenger Deep

In Shusterman’s book, Challenger Deep, the author introduces an insight and taps into the core of what it’s like to struggle with a mental illness. After going through the results of being a father of a child with schizophrenia, Neal Shusterman established Challenger Deep, in attempt to honor his son and provide a vision of life with schizophrenia to his readers. When Shusterman’s son was in high school he began showing signs of mental illness, when his son was in a better place Neal was determined to turn his son’s dark time in life into something positive in venture to help others. Shusterman strived to help his son and “involve him in any way” that he could in the book (hbook.com). In honor of his son, Shusterman wrote the story dedicated

to the aspects of what his son and him went through during their challenging time and to give an insight of the effects of schizophrenia. Often people are blinded by believing people with schizophrenia are “mental” and “crazy”, Shusterman’s purpose of Challenger Deep is to alter people’s view on mental illness. Shusterman’s hope for the book was to “remove the stigma that surrounds mental illness” (Nationalbook.org). The authors attempt in the book is to open a dialogue on a subject that is often misunderstood by the world and to also bring an insight of value. Just as the author wants to open up a different view on the topic of mental illness he also desires to apprise his audience that there is value in the worst experiences. Shusterman states that even in life’s most overcoming times, “we can use those experiences to bring about a positive change in the world, and our own lives” (hbook.com). Shusterman strives to make an affirmative change in the society and bring a positive outlook to hard experiences. In the book Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman, the author’s purpose of the book is honor his son, provide a different vision, and apprise his audience with value.