Dry [Book]

Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman is a gripping young adult dystopian novel set in a near-future Southern California where a prolonged drought, dubbed the "Tap-Out," escalates to a catastrophic water shortage. The story follows 16-year-old Alyssa Morrow and her younger brother Garrett as their suburban life unravels when the taps run dry, turning neighbors into rivals in a desperate scramble for water. When their parents vanish while seeking desalinated water, Alyssa, Garrett, and their survivalist neighbor Kelton team up with two others—a resourceful loner, Jacqui, and an opportunistic teen, Henry—for a harrowing journey to find safety and resources. Through alternating perspectives and "snapshot" vignettes of others caught in the crisis, the Shustermans craft a tense, action-packed narrative that explores human behavior under extreme pressure, highlighting both selfishness and selflessness against a backdrop of climate-driven collapse.The novel’s strength lies in its chilling plausibility, weaving social commentary on climate change and societal fragility into a fast-paced thriller. Critics praise its immersive storytelling and realistic portrayal of desperation, with Kirkus Reviews noting, “No one does doom like Neal Shusterman,” though some, like Goodreads reviewers, critique the characters’ lack of depth and a forced romantic subplot. Published in 2018, Dry has earned accolades, including a #6 spot on the New York Times bestseller list and a YALSA 2019 Best Fiction nomination, and is being adapted for film. Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or libraries, it’s a thought-provoking read for those interested in environmental crises or survival tales. For more, explore Neal Shusterman’s Scythe series or related climate-focused works.