Annotation
In a dystopian future of New Orleans, Nailer is a fifteen year old scavenger. After a hurricane, Nailer and Pima, Nailer's best friend, comes across something that is more worthy of gold or copper. Something that will bring them much better fortune.
Justification for Nomination
The story starts out with Nailer and his crew getting ready to start the day on the ship. He's found copper and plenty to meet his quota. He later falls into a pit of oil that quickly starts to sink him. As he calls for help, there is no one that hears him or plans to help. Eventually he's able to find an opening at the bottom and gets his way out.
Nailer's father is an abusive father who beats him and calls out to him. Things had gotten worst after the death of his mother.
After what was expected to be a huge rainstorm, turned into a hurricane that eventually wiped out majority of the city. Having to look for a new place and scraps in order to make money, Nailer and Pima, his best friend, joins the rest of the city.
While on a ship, Nailer and Pima comes across a girl who looks like she was dead, but Nailer wasn't taking any chances. He didn't know if he wanted to save her or to let Pima kill her off, so they can take the gold. Whatever she was wearing, whoever she was, was more worthy than the copper they scrape up daily. The girl asks to not be killed, to spare her. If they spare her, they'll be brought great fortune.
Only problem was, Nita, the girl they had found, was lying. She didn't know if anyone was looking for her. She was suppose to already be dead, along with everyone that was on the ship. To have already gotten as far away from the others in order not to be used as leverage against her father.
Ship Breaker was a fascinating book. It just took you away and brought you to a whole different world. Though some would consider it child labor, it was a way to make a living.
A great story that uncovers so many things. Nailer is trying to make a living without having to worry about his father. Trying to get away from him as much as possible. It did frustrated me because it dragged on and it could have gotten to the point a little faster, but I thought that it was worth it.
Nailer's character just spoke so much. He knew what to say in order to please his father. Knowing just the right thing that will make his father feel that he was a man and able to care for himself. On the other side, he cared for those around him, but knew that he didn't want to continue to live a life with his father. Having to kill for money. I think Bacigalupi wrote Nailer's character well. A character that many can relate to, and see themselves in him.
Genre Coming of Age | Mystery | Science Fiction | Adventure | Fiction | Printz
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