Ship Breaker: Number 1 in series

Paolo Bacigalupi

Little, Brown Book Group, Jul 7, 2011 - Juvenile Fiction - 336 pages

In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota - and hopefully live to see another day.

But when he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life. . . .

What people are saying

User Review -

This is the most intensely and beautifully written work of science fiction that I have ever read. Bacigalupi weaves the words of the story together with the skill of a master. Vivid adjectives pull beauty into the story of a harsh world, while every young hero's dream of happiness provides momentum for the book. 

About the author

Paolo Bacigalupi's writing has been nominated for the Nebula and Hugo awards and his YA novel, SHIP BREAKER, was shortlisted for the National Book Award. He lives in Western Colorado with his wife and son.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Ship Breaker: Number 1 in series; Ship Breaker
• Author: Paolo Bacigalupi
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group, 2011
• ISBN: 0748129383, 9780748129386
• Length: 336 pages
• Subjects: Juvenile Fiction / General; Young Adult Fiction / General