Book Series · 3 Books

Ship Breaker Books

In order from Ship Breaker to Tool of War.

The Ship Breaker series is a set of 3 chapter books by Paolo Bacigalupi, published between 2010 and 2017. Written for ages 12–18, most books run about 340 pages. Subjects across the series include violence, recycling, and the environment.

Ship Breaker
The Drowned Cities
Tool of War
Ship Breaker
The Drowned Cities
Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Ship Breaker
Sale price
$1697
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2010

Ship Breaker

By Paolo Bacigalupi

A teen scavenger must choose between survival and saving a wealthy shipwreck survivor.

326 pages· 74,322 words· Est. 7 hour read
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In a future Gulf Coast ravaged by climate change, Nailer, a young scavenger, toils on grounded oil tankers. When a hurricane reveals a luxurious clipper ship, he faces a life-altering choice: strip it for parts or save its sole survivor, a rich girl who might offer a path to a better life. As loyalties clash and survival hangs in the balance, Nailer must decide what kind of future he truly desires. Will he seize the chance for change, or will the harsh realities of his world hold him back?
In reading order

Ship Breaker Series

3 books · Published 2010–2017

#1
Ship Breaker
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1697

Ship Breaker

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2010

A teen scavenger must choose between survival and saving a wealthy shipwreck survivor.

#2
The Drowned Cities
#2 in Series
Sale price
$1710

The Drowned Cities

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2012

In a war-torn future, two refugees face a deadly choice: save a friend or seek freedom.

Tool of War
Series
Sale price
$1697

Tool of War

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2017

A rogue warrior defies his creators, igniting a battle for freedom in a dystopian future.

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Ship Breaker series?

There are 3 books in the Ship Breaker series. It began with Ship Breaker in 2010, and the newest book, Tool of War, was published in 2017.

What order should you read the Ship Breaker books in?

Start with Ship Breaker and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.

What ages are the Ship Breaker books best for?

The series is best for ages 12–18, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

Which Ship Breaker book is the longest?

The Drowned Cities (Book #2) is the longest book in the series at 92,319 words (437 pages).

Which Ship Breaker book is the shortest?

Ship Breaker (Book #1) is the shortest at 74,322 words (326 pages).

The people

The Creative Behind the Books

The authors and illustrators who bring Ship Breaker to life.

01

Paolo Bacigalupi

Author

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