SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY

Among the new books available for checkout this week is Ship Breaker by Paola Bacigalupi. Set in the near future when ocean levels have risen and drowned cities and quantities of some metals and fuels are extremely limited, we meet Nailer, a young boy who is a member of a scavenger team, a group that explores wrecked ships in the Gulf Coast area and collects copper wiring and other reusable materials. Surviving a powerful hurricane Nailer finds a beached clipper ship with a lone survivor -- a young girl of a wealthy family. Should Nailer strip the clipper ship for all it's worth or should he rescue the girl and perhaps, get a reward leading to a better life.

Buried on our bookshelves you may have missed Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. The author likes to blend classic fairy tales and fantasy elements in her books. The title of this book makes me think of Hansel and Gretel. Like that classic fairy tale there is a boy Jack and a girl Hazel. They are not brother and sister, but as next door neighbors they have a very strong, close friendship. One day when Jack suddenly disappears, Hazel decides she must rescue him. On her journey to find Jack, Hazel meets people and animals from several fairy tales who try to help or prevent her. Blended with all the fantasy is the realistic story about Hazel and Jack having problems at school and at home.