Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi is a thrilling YA adventure novel set in a dystopian near-future. It follows Nailer, a teenage ship breaker from a slum on the Gulf Coast. He scavenges the contaminated and hazardous shores, picking apart skiffs, tankers, and other abandoned ships for valuable components. But when he discovers a wrecked clipper ship blocking his path one day, he makes a startling discovery that could change his life and the future of his world.
The story is set in a future where America has become a country of divided classes. The wealthy enjoy all the benefits of the latest technology and medicines, while the poor struggle to survive with junk and unstable services. Nailer is a ship breaker, living in the poorest sections of the coastal city of New Orleans with his abusive father and crew-mates. He’s an average scavenger – small, skinny, tanned by the sun and sea, and able to spot good salvage and draw a straight line between cause and effect. This is all set to change when he uncovers a wrecked clipper ship with a sleeping girl inside.
After rescuing the girl, Nailer learns she is an heiress to a powerful trading company and a target of the cruel slavers who roam the perilous waters of his world. With the help of his young friend Pima, Nailer embarks on an epic journey across the sea and through the seedy underworld. It is full of incredible obstacles and danger, but ultimately Nailer and Pima strive to reunite the girl with her family and protect her from the slavers.
Ship Breaker features detailed, fast-paced action and vivid descriptions of the futuristic landscape and its characters. It captures both the beauty and violence of a society in turmoil. The enjoyable writing style and brilliant pacing make this book a great read. With well-developed characters and a strong plotline, it’s a thrilling YA adventure novel.
Bacigalupi’s success is well-deserved. The book won the Michael L. Printz Award, was a National Book Award finalist, and won the 2010 John Newbery Medal. Ship Breaker is a must-read for anyone looking for a fast-paced, thrilling adventure. It promises plenty of suspense and surprises while ensuring readers will finish the book wanting more.
