Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi


The timeliness of this book is remarkable. The Gulf Coast is full of broken down abandoned oil tankers. Teenage Nailer is a member of light crew: he strips the boats, scavenging for copper and anything else that can be removed and sold. He dreams of hitting a Lucky Strike - finding a pocket of treasured oil that would guarantee him a fortune if he could get past the goons and thugs trying to snare it for themselves. When he discovers a high-priced shipwreck, he has to choose between saving the life of the lone survivor, a beautiful and intriguing girl who could give him a better life. Shipwrecked will please fans of adventure and survival fiction. Its social themes would also make for a great classroom debate and/or discussion. Click here for an interview with the author. Grade 7+

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