In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or 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.     

The Printz Award is an annual award for literary excellence is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of ALA, and is sponsored by Booklist magazine. The award, first given in 2000, is named for the late Michael L. Printz, a Topeka, Kans., school librarian known for discovering and promoting quality books for young adults. Information as released from the YALSA (www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/Printz.htm)