Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Nailer is a ship breaker.  In a future marked by devastating weather patterns and shortages of oil and other resources ship breakers scavenge empty vessels for anything that may be of value–copper, iron, oil, etc.  After he almost drowns in the belly of a ship Nailer begins to view mortality differently–his own life and the lives of those around him have value.  When he finds a destroyed clipper ship with a trapped rich girl, Nailer rescues her and loses the scavenge that would have changed his life.  He goes on a perilous journey to return the girl to her family and is pursued by half-men, gangs and his sadistic, drug-addled father.

Claustrophobic opening scenes feed into a gut-wrenching journey that culminates with a high speed chase on the ocean.  This book is fast, frenetic and fascinating.  Highly recommended.

~ Tricia is CPL’s teen librarian.  She hates squirrels and loves reading during her lunch break.