Worldshaker

Harland, Richard. Worldshaker. 2009. 388p. ISBN 978-1-4169-9552-4. FIC HAR on the library shelves.

Worldshaker is the largest floating steamship ever built, and is the pride of the British. At sixteen, Col has it all. He is the grandson of the Supreme Commander of the juggernaut, and has been groomed to replace him. His life is comfortable and he lacks for nothing.

However, when a Filthy girl named Riff hides in his cabin closet, he begins to question everything he believes in. He’s been taught that Filthies who live below deck and whose labor powers the ship are slow and sub-humans, but clearly Riff can talk and is smart enough to escape the guards. Though he knows he shouldn’t, Col is strangely attracted to Riff, and secretly begins spending time with her. If he’s wrong about the Filthies, what else is he wrong about?

It is now up to Col to try to make things right with the Filthies, but this means open conflict with those above deck, including his powerful grandfather. Will Col risk everything, including his bright future, for those less fortunate than him?

If you liked Worldshaker, you will enjoy The Mark of the Dragonfly, The Inventor's Secret, where Charlotte must lead the fight against the industrial and mechanical might of the British Empire, Etiquette & Espionage, or Leviathan.