The Diving Bell

by Todd Strasser

Culca longs to dive, but girls on her native take care of the men. The divers are essential to the survival of the village as the pearls and shells they gather are used for trading. All is not well, however. When Spanish ships full of gold sink in a storm, the divers are taken to recover the treasure, and Culca uses her nimble wits and unflagging bravery to save her brother's life. Female roles and Spanish Colonial exploration of land and people are the themes of this story. Culca comes through as a strong female voice.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.

His most recent novel is Summer of '69

Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."

Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."

His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus 
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA 
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal 

Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.

All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.

After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.

Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.

Reviews

[Nina Viggiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like historical fiction just because they are boring.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the fifth grade. I didn't understand science and oceans back then. Go figure, there are pearls there.

Also, shout out to the themes and topics of this book!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wide-eyed view of history and the risks of following a dream. This was a page-turner and yet so inevitably sad as most historical accounts turn out to be...

[Kati Polodna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this at the used book store and had to buy it because it unlocked a deep childhood memory in my brain.

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't recall the plot of this book as much as I remember an anecdote that goes with it. I was reading this book in middle school curled up in bed late at night when my dad walked in to tell me to turn off the light. He suddenly blurts out, "Let me take a look at that book, young lady!" I was really perplexed until he told me that he thought the title said,"The Living Hell" instead of "The Diving Bell." That aside, I feel that this book took a really interesting look at oceans and technology utilized by Native American communities. While I can't bring to mind any specific details, I know I enjoyed the book.

[Ashtyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book I read for literature circle at school with Krishelle, Kailey, and Taylor. It was good and its a short 150 page book about this village of people around in the early 1900's this girl named Culca likes to dive for food and dtuff like that but then the spaniards come and take all there divers except for her because shes a girl and they dont know she knows how to dive so they take her brother Tulone and Culcan and the friar (a church priest) go to the town and try to find him!! You guys should read it!

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written historical fiction read, based in 16th (?) century Mexico during the Spanish conquest. Young Culca wants to dive for her village, even though it's not a typical occupation for girls. When her brother is kidnapped by the Spanish to help them recover sunken treasure, Culca must use her wits and her diving skills to rescue him. Mention of Leonardo da Vinci and his ideas for diving technology.

[Mandy Harmon]

I like this book for the reality of it. Those sort of things did happen. It is about a native girl named Culca. The Spanish invade her island taking her village's divers. Her brother is taken because he is a diver. She can dive to but in their culture it is not proper fo rwomen or girls to do it. Culca goes on a mission to find her brother. This book is excellent!

[Linda]

A quick read. A young girl figures out that by using a big church bell, she and the other divers on her island can dive deeper and/or stay under water longer, to recover sunken treasure.