User:Kethra/The Softwire

The Softwire is a series of four young adult science fiction novels by PJ Haarsma. It is set in space in an original fictional universe of Haarsma's creation. A group of around two hundred children are orphaned in outer space on their journey to the Rings of Orbis, giant planet-like rings that surround a wormhole. Their parents were killed during an incident on the "seed-ship" they are traveling on, and the computer controlling the ship raised the children, the eldest of whom are thirteen-years-old when the ship reaches Orbis.

By law, the children are required to enter into indentured servitude for four years to pay for the trip to the Rings of Orbis. Each novel of the series takes place during one year of the children's slavery. One of the children, thirteen-year-old Johnny Turnbull (JT), turns out to be the first ever human "softwire," someone who can speak to and "enter" computers with his mind. The novels focus on JT, his sister Ketheria, and their friends.

Two novels are already published of the four planned. The third in the series, Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3 is scheduled to be released on March 10th, 2009 by Candlewick Press. Publication details about the untitled fourth book have not been set.

The books are accompanied by a free online role-playing game called Rings of Orbis that requires players to answer questions about the novels in order to solve puzzles and advance within the game.

Virus on Orbis 1
Virus on Orbis 1, the first novel of the series, introduces Johnny Turnbull, his sister Ketheria, and a group of orphaned children forced into slavery on The Rings of Orbis. It was released on August 22, 2006.

When the children arrive on Orbis 1, they discover that one of them, JT is the first human softwire. The Rings of Orbis are controlled by one massive computer, and the fact that this slave can enter their precious computer at will makes JT very valuable and drives the rings to the brink of war. As the central computer begins to malfunction the Citizens connive, conspire and even kill to own JT and his sister. ''Thirteen-year-old Johnny Turnbull has always known there was something different about him, even before he and two hundred other kids landed on the first ring of Orbis. But once their spaceship lands, he is identified as the first-ever "softwire" -- a human with the ability to enter and communicate with computers through his mind -- and becomes the focus of intergalactic intrigue. Johnny and the rest of the refugee orphans are put to work in alien factories, and very quickly things go very wrong. When the all-knowing, all-controlling, and technologically "perfect" central computer starts malfunctioning, suspicious eyes turn to Johnny. Is he the one responsible? This action-packed, fast-paced sci-fi novel will keep kids on the edge of their seats.''
 * Publisher Synopsis

A human boy with an uncanny link to computers finds danger and discovery on the rings of Orbis in this riveting sci-fi adventure.

Betrayal on Orbis 2
Betrayal on Orbis 2 is the second novel in The Softwire series. It was released on March 25, 2008. ''On Orbis 2, Johnny Turnbull has a new home and a new job, one that pushes his softwire abilities to painful limits. JT is the only one who can communicate with the Samirans, large aquatic aliens who have cooled the crystals on Orbis for nearly two thousand rotations. But as the Samirans’ work rule ostensibly comes to a close, they have grown dangerously agitated, and JT must find out why. What he learns is that the prosperity of Orbis is built on a brutal system of enforced labor -- and that everyone seems to have something to hide. Can JT appease the Samirans before their threat is realized? And if he doesn’t, will his friends survive? In this second episode of THE SOFTWIRE, PJ Haarsma takes readers on another lightning-paced, cyber-fueled ride through the amazing universe he introduced in THE SOFTWIRE: VIRUS ON ORBIS 1.''
 * Publisher Synopsis

Sci-fi fans will tear through this new adventure as Johnny Turnbull -- first human softwire -- finds more danger and intrigue on the next ring of Orbis.

Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3
Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3 is the third installment in the series. It is set for release on March 10, 2009.

Awards and Nominations
The Softwire series has been nominated for two Cybils (The Children's and Young Adult Blogger's Literary Awards): one in 2006 for Virus and another in 2008 for Betrayal.

Virus on Orbis 1 was selected for the New York Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age 2007" list. The first book was also given a "Top Choice Award" by Flamingnet Young Adult Book Reviews. The South Carolina Associate of School Librarians (SCASL) nominated Virus on Orbis 1 for their Junior Book Award.

Rings of Orbis Online Game
thumb|rightAuthor PJ Haarsma also has created an online role playing game Rings of Orbis that is set in the same universe as The Softwire books. Players are encouraged to read the books to facilitate solving puzzles within the game itself. PJ Haarsma and The Rings of Orbis were featured in a front page article of the New York Times about encouraging reluctant readers with video games.

To do

 * Finish citations
 * Add book plot summaries
 * Expound on school visits and game sections

To be cited

 * IGN Interview with PJ Haarsma
 * IGN Interview with PJ Haarsma and Nathan Fillion
 * SFX.com interview with PJ Haarsma