Fantasy & Science Fiction

Grades 10 +

Ship Breaker

By Paolo Bacigalupi

2011 - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

In America's flooded Gulf Coast region, oil is scarce, but loyalty is scarcer. Grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts by crews of young people. 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, by luck or by chance, 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...

Keywords: Adventure, Climate Change, Dystopia, Environment, Gulf Coast, Nature, Oil, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance, Survival

Content warning: Please note, this novel contains some scenes of fantasy action and violence. Please talk to your teacher if you have any concerns.

Seraphina - Seraphina Duology

By Rachel Hartman

2012- Doubleday

Forty years of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd--especially when dragons can disguise themselves in human form. Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both humans and dragons. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation and as a sinister plot to destroy the peace unfolds, she struggles to protect her own secret; the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could cost her life.

Keywords: Adventure, Dragons, Fantasy, Logic, Medieval, Music, Mystery, Romance, War and Peace