Ship Breaker

The novel Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi has been sitting on my classroom bookshelf since last spring's book fair at the school.  I try to keep books that will appeal to a wide range of readers, and this seemed to fit a gap I had when purchasing books.  It also has won a number of awards, too.

This book was graphic (enough) to those students who love blood-n-guts.  It never went over that edge, but it certainly kept me reading through squinted eyes a few times (as if squinting my eyes will make me reading something that is graphic appear to be less graphic in my head--ha! ha!).  It is gritty, but realistically so.  I loved the moral dilemmas the main character faced and struggled to choose and maintain his path.  This book is not for the reader that prefers pretty princesses in tiaras and handsome young princes carrying beautiful glass slippers.  

See Baciglupi's website by clicking HERE.  Not super current, but provides more information for those interested.

The Drowned Cities is the follow-up book to Ship Breaker.  I think the stories are related, but I do not think the author calls it a "sequel."  I loved Ship Breaker enough that I have added The Drowned Cities to my "To Read" list.

Interesting side note--ship breakers are not fiction.  60 Minutes did a story on this horrible lifestyle (click HERE for to view the link).  Heartbreaking.