Summary reviewed by:
Terrence Timmons
Terrence Timmons
Analyst
Bachelor of Arts (BA), University Of California, Santa Barbara 2019
With over 4 years of experience as an analyst. Terrence Timmons is committed to analyzing summaries without compromising on quality.
When the taps run dry, society's veneer of civility evaporates overnight. Dry by Jarrod Shusterman and Neal Shusterman plunges readers into the heart of California during an unprecedented drought, a disaster that becomes terrifyingly real when water stops flowing from the taps. Known as the "Tap-Out," this crisis transforms ordinary suburban lives into a survival nightmare. The story centers on Alyssa Morrow, a teenager whose life spirals into chaos when her parents vanish in a desperate attempt to find water. Joined by her younger brother Garrett and their unpredictable neighbor Kelton, the group navigates a rapidly deteriorating world where every drop of water could be their last.
As they journey through a landscape ravaged by desperation and lawlessness, Alyssa and her companions must confront the brutal reality of human nature when resources run scarce. The novel deftly explores the fragility of society and the lengths to which people will go to survive. With each chapter, the tension escalates, revealing how quickly civilization can crumble when its most essential resource is depleted.
While Dry stands alone as a gripping, standalone thriller, its themes resonate with the urgency of our current environmental issues, making it both a cautionary tale and an intense survival story. It's a must-read for anyone intrigued by the question: What would you do if the water ran out?
Date Published: October 1, 2018
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Adventure
Dystopian
Young Adult
Survival
Thriller
Environmental fiction
Family drama
Social commentary
Disaster fiction
Contemporary fiction
Alyssa Morrow: A determined and resourceful teenager, Alyssa values family and loyalty above all. When her parents disappear, she takes on the responsibility of protecting her younger brother, demonstrating her courage and resilience. Alyssa’s fierce sense of justice is evident when she refuses to abandon others, even when resources are scarce.
Garrett Morrow: Alyssa’s younger brother, Garrett embodies innocence and optimism in a world that’s falling apart. His trust in his sister and his hopeful outlook push the group forward, even in the darkest moments. Garrett’s unwavering belief in people is highlighted when he insists on helping a stranger, showing his compassionate nature.
Kelton McCracken: A survivalist and the Morrow’s neighbor, Kelton is pragmatic and well-prepared for disaster. Raised in a family obsessed with survival, Kelton values self-sufficiency and preparedness. His knowledge and skills are crucial, but his underlying loneliness and desire for friendship come to the forefront when he chooses to help Alyssa and Garrett instead of only looking out for himself.
Jacqui: A street-smart and tough girl who joins the group later in the story. Jacqui values independence and survival, often displaying a cynical outlook on humanity. However, her tough exterior hides a deep-seated fear of being vulnerable, which she shows when she reluctantly begins to trust the group, risking her life for them.
Survival: The novel explores what it takes to survive when all societal norms collapse. As water becomes scarce, the characters are forced to confront their own limits and make morally complex decisions, illustrating how survival instincts can both unite and divide people.
Human Nature Under Pressure: Dry reveals how quickly the thin veneer of civilization can erode when resources are limited. As the characters encounter others in their quest for water, the story highlights the extremes of human behavior—from altruism to brutality—demonstrating that desperation can bring out both the best and worst in people.
Environmental Awareness: The novel is a stark reminder of the fragility of our environment and the consequences of neglecting it. The Tap-Out serves as a cautionary tale about the very real dangers of climate change and resource depletion, urging readers to consider the long-term impacts of their actions on the planet.
Community vs. Isolation: Throughout the book, the characters must decide whether to band together or fend for themselves. This theme is explored through the contrasting paths of characters like Kelton, who initially prefers isolation, and Alyssa, who believes in the power of community to overcome challenges. The story shows how these choices define their survival and humanity.
Dry begins with an ordinary day in Southern California that quickly turns catastrophic when the water supply runs out—an event known as the "Tap-Out." The government fails to respond in time, leading to chaos as people begin to panic. Alyssa Morrow, a high school student, finds herself thrust into a leadership role when her parents leave to find water and don’t return. Alyssa must now protect her younger brother, Garrett, in a rapidly deteriorating world.
As the situation worsens, Alyssa teams up with her neighbor Kelton, whose family has long prepared for such a disaster. Despite their preparations, Kelton's family is not immune to the dangers posed by desperate neighbors, leading to tragic losses. The group, now including a tough and cynical girl named Jacqui, embarks on a dangerous journey to find a rumored source of water.
Their quest takes them through a landscape marked by lawlessness and violence, where they encounter other survivors, each with their own motives and levels of desperation. The group faces life-threatening challenges, including dehydration, marauders, and internal conflicts, which test their trust in each other.
The story reaches its harrowing conclusion at a massive reservoir that still holds water. However, the journey there is fraught with peril. The group is nearly broken, physically and emotionally, as they struggle to reach the water. In their final moments of despair, they are saved by the timely arrival of government forces, who have finally managed to regain control of the situation and provide aid.
Alyssa and her companions survive, but they are irrevocably changed by their ordeal. The book ends with a stark reminder of the fragility of civilization and the importance of environmental stewardship. Although the immediate crisis has passed, the scars left on the survivors will shape their futures, and the lessons learned serve as a warning about the consequences of ignoring the planet’s limits.
Our summary of Dry by Jarrod Shusterman and Neal Shusterman is designed with you in mind. We focus on distilling the key themes, like survival and human nature under pressure, to give you a concise yet comprehensive understanding of the story. By analyzing the novel's environmental awareness and its portrayal of community versus isolation, we ensure that the essence of the book is preserved. Our commitment to quality and integrity means you receive an accurate, engaging summary that captures the heart of the narrative while respecting the authors' original intent.
