Ship Breaker

Bacigalupi, Paolo.  2010.  Ship Breaker.  New York:  Little Brown and Company.  ISBN 0316056219

The author has created a fantasy story that seems to be a real.   A page turner with twist and turns, the story is full of mystery and suspense.  With life- like characters, who seemingly, try to survive horrible living and working conditions, the  events  unravel to reveal hope.    Life is hard.  The main character, Nailer, transitions from insecurity to finally holding his own.  Nailer's identity is vague because he seems emotionally lost because of his circumstances.  The plot of the story revolves around looking for copper wiring from abandoned ships.  This job is particularly difficult but Nailer is up for the challenge.  Working to survive, is their motto.   Nailer , the daydreamer, imagines himself in different circumstances, wanting something more.  The setting is dreary, sobering, and filled with hardships, as the story describes working and living conditions.  The Gulf Coast is the place where the story is formed.   From the description of work ethics, to the challenges, the overall theme reflects the importance of making good decisions to benefit oneself.  The life of a scavenger means, everyone for themselves.  The style is engaging because the story seems, as if, it took place in real life.   Nailer's loyalty is with his crew until he finds a girl in one of the ships?  Nailer's inner conscious is tested?  What will he choose to do?  The author has written a wonderful story that anyone can understand.  The events that transpire, are great topics of conversation for child, to examine. 

Excerpts

From School Library Journal

"With an interesting mix of fact and fantasy, this title offers excellent potential for conversations on international child welfare issues."

Wysocki, Barbara1. 2011. "Ship Breaker." School Library Journal 57(3): 78-79.

From Library Media Connection

"While slightly post-apocalyptic, this title is still very realistic and will have cross-over appeal for both science fiction readers and adventure readers."

Bergin, Melissa. 2010. "Ship Breaker." Library Media Connection 29(1): 80.

From Horn Book Magazine

"This thriller will grab and keep readers' attentions as Nailer and Nita "crew up" in their fight to survive."

Ritter, Cynthia K. 2010. "Ship Breaker." Horn Book Magazine 86(4): 98-99.

From Publishers Weekly

"Bacigalupi's cast is ethnically and morally diverse, and the book's message never overshadows the storytelling, action-packed pacing, or intricate world-building."

2010. "Ship Breaker." Publishers Weekly 257(16): 54.

From Booklist

"Vivid, brutal, and thematically rich, this captivating title is sure to win teen fans for the award-winning Bacigalupi."

Rutan, Lynn. 2010. "Ship Breaker." Booklist 106(18): 50.

Awards

Michael L. Printz Award 2011

Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book

Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011

Connections

other Paolo Bacigalupi books

The Doubt Factory ISBN 0316220752

The Windup Girl ISBN 1597801585

The Drowned Cities ISBN 0316056227

The Water Knife: A novel ISBN 0385352875

Activities

Ask children to think about how life on a scavenger ship would be. 

What would they try to salvage from the ship?

Personal Response

I believe the story touches base on loyalty to family whether immediate or the scavenger crew.  The story shows how one can hope for better circumstances in order to break free from difficult situations.  Nailer, a true dreamer, always hopes for better living and working conditions.  His life is not easy but everyone has their own circumstances in life.  A great lesson for children is to learn about working, maybe not a ship yard but in school.  The hope to educate themselves to further their careers.  Another lesson for children to learn is about making good decision