User talk:Kethra/The Softwire

an opinion
This is my personal opinion and I will be happy when it is deleted because it really serves very little purpose at this moment. The only reason that I express it is because your article on PJ Haarsma has intrigued me into expressing my opinion.

I am troubled with this subpage, and wonder if it is necessary. I believe that the information may be handled just as easily by inserting the information into the PJ Haarsma article, to help further develop PJ Haarsma from a more scholarly and encyclopedic point of view.

In this subpage, everything reads more as if the material being presented is advertising for the series, and for the products tangential to Mr. Haarsma's work. There is nothing wrong with presenting this material; it is just my opinion that the current presentation reads too much like the publisher's teasers on the book jackets (because that is actually all that this is). I would recommend that you rework this material into the main project's mainpage; and if you feel that it is necessary to then write separate subpages for the plots (and details) of each separate book that you look at them from a less-conflicted and more-scholarly, critical point of view. At the moment, I do not know of any good examples other than something like Moby Dick, or perhaps Dune, but I have not spent any time looking into the particulars of those two examples, i.e. the structures of their articles. Anne Teedham (talk) 14:34, 28 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Oh have no fear, Anne. I understand your concern, but the reason I put this on my user namespace instead of the main one was that I wanted to have time to learn to develop it before it was up for consensus.  I will be replacing the publisher's synopsis with a more-scholarly plot summary, akin to Harry Potter or Inheritance Cycle (to use examples in the young adult novels area).  Initially, The Softwire article was my main focus, but I've since shifted that to PJ Haarsma for now.  Once that is as developed as possible, I had the intention to visit this article and develop it from a more neutral point of view.  I haven't developed this page much in a few days, while I worked on the author's article and am re-reading the books and thinking on the plot summaries that I want to provide.


 * I have no intention to have this just be an advertisement. I admit, it's taking a bit of work to write with more neutrality, but that's why I've asked for reviews and help to steer me in that direction.  If you still have concerns with my intentions now, do let me know!  I want to be able to contribute in a positive way to this community. -- Kethra  ( talk ) 16:34, 29 November 2008 (UTC)

Possible references
Hey there,

I saw your post at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Children's literature and eventually ended up here. You've got a good start on the article, so I though I'd help out by giving you a few possible references to articles I can access through my public library's subscription to online databases. You can use them either for The Softwire article (if you intend to finish it) or the PJ Haarsma article, or even both.

I've provided the references for you to use; to add them to an article, open this page in the edit window and copy the text in the cite journal tags into tags. For most of them I also copied the actual article text because you probably won't be able to access them using the links provided (though I'm not entirely sure). If you have any questions or the like, just post on my talk page. Mr. Absurd (talk) 06:08, 4 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Wow, thank you very much, I'm sure these references will help immensely as I develop this article! -- Kethra  { talk }  06:45, 4 December 2008 (UTC)
 * No problem! I only just discovered that my library had this feature in the past few months, and it's absolutely indispensible. Mr. Absurd (talk) 21:20, 4 December 2008 (UTC)

Virus on Orbis 1 reviews


"Children orphaned in outer space are put to work on the Rings of Orbis when they're rescued – but Johnny discovers he's the first human Softwire, with a gift that allows him to enter any computer with his mind – and which makes him the focal point of a struggle between the Keepers who rule Orbis and the Council which wants him dead. His discovery of a hidden computer virus will change their world. Be forewarned: this is the first episode in The Softwire series – but its thrilling tension assures readers will come back for more."



"Looking for a better life in the rings of Orbis, hundreds of Earthlings left their home planet. They also produced children, who were kept in incubation cells during their long space flight. Unfortunately, only the children survive; they are either twelve or seven years old when they land on Orbis. The children discover that they have to do the work intended for their parents, practically as slaves. While in flight, the children depend on the spaceship's computer, which is nicknamed Mother. Twelve-year-old Johnny Turnbull (J.T.) has a natural connection with the mechanism, and the Orbis Keepers realize that J.T. can read and even enter the computer mentally. He is labeled a softwire, and only later does he find out that his father had the same skill. J.T. doesn't like being singled out; most of the other children think he is a freak, and some Orbis residents feel threatened by him. Both J.T. and his younger sister have disturbing dreams, but life becomes even scarier for J.T. when he discovers a creature that is playing havoc inside the computer. None of the Keepers believe him; rather, they think he is sabotaging the system. Other factions on Orbis support J.T., so the troubles get compounded.

This fast-paced tale should attract younger SF readers. J.T. is very likeable, and his relationship with the virus character provides a supernatural spin. The ending foretells more adventures on Orbis."



"Johnny Turnbull has spent all of his 12 years aboard the seed-ship Renaissance en route to the Rings of Orbis. Due to a mechanical problem, the adults on the spaceship perished long before Johnny and the other young passengers were born (they were stored as embryos and raised by the ship's computer). When they arrive on Orbis 1, the orphans quickly learn that they will be forced to work for the Guarantors (alien businessmen) in order to pay off their dead parents' debt for their passage. Johnny is immediately identified as the first human "softwire," someone with the ability to enter and manipulate a computer with his mind. Because of his gift, he is a prime suspect when the central computer of Orbis 1 begins to malfunction. He must prove his innocence and solve the mystery of the mechanical failures before time runs out. The author deftly introduces the futuristic setting without getting bogged down in long and detailed descriptive passages, and the brisk plot will keep the interest of reluctant readers. Although a few of the secondary characters are not fully developed, Johnny and his sister are well drawn, and the scenes between the two are skillfully crafted. The first in a planned quartet, this book is a good selection for science-fiction fans."



"JT Turnbull and 200 children are about to land on the interstellar multi-species commerce hub of Orbis. The children have been alone in space all their lives: When the adults on the Earth ship Renaissance died of an illness 12 years ago, the computer brought the colonists' frozen embryos to term. JT and the children have been raised by the ship's computer (and--inexplicably, given the absence of any other people--have developed 20th-century mores and gender biases). When they arrive on Orbis, they discover to their horror that their parents' agreement with the Citizens of Orbis leaves the children in indentured servitude to unpleasant Star Wars-style aliens. The aliens fight for the right to control JT, who is a Softwire, an extremely rare being who can mentally communicate with computers. When the ancient computer that controls Orbis begins to fail, the Citizens suspect JT, who must clear himself while protecting his friends and family. A potentially compelling space mystery marred by inept prose and a muddled narrative."



"Like the other 198 parentless children on the spaceship Renaissance, 12-year-old Johnny Turnbull (JT) and his seven-year-old sister are headed to Orbis, a multicultural world made up of four rings orbiting a wormhole. Upon landing, the children are shocked to learn that they must work as slaves for Star Wars-like aliens to repay their passage. When it is discovered that JT is a softwire, a being able to communicate telepathically with computers, the boy, both feared and coveted by different factions, becomes the prime suspect when the computer that runs the operations on Orbis 1 malfunctions. It's obvious that this is the first book in a series, but Haarsma fills it with exotic aliens, dangerous situations, and fast-paced adventure. Younger sf fans will happily hang in with JT as he tries to stay alive and keep Orbis from being conquered from within, and they'll look forward to other volumes in the Softwire series."



"Thirteen-year-old Johnny is one of 200 orphans on the seed-ship Renaissance headed for the Rings of Orbis space station. All of the adults on Renaissance died when their sleepers malfunctioned and only the ship’s computer, Mother, has supervised the children. Upon arrival, Johnny learns he’s the first human softwire, someone with the rare talent of being able to access any computer simply by standing near it, which explains why he was able to communicate with Mother without using a terminal. Despite his special talents, all the orphans are put to work in various alien workhouses, and then the accidents start. The Orbis central computer has started to malfunction. Everyone believes Johnny is responsible for the accidents and no one believes he’s seen the real culprit when he enters the computer with his mind. When Johnny is jailed for a computer malfunction that he didn’t cause, he learns he’s become a pawn in the politics between the Citizens of Orbis and the Keepers of Orbis. The first book of this series is a fast-paced science fiction adventure and will leave readers anticipating future installments."



"This novel is a fast-moving sci-fi yarn. We read it with our 11-year-old son--or rather, we were pulled in early by the story and compelled to read it straight through. Our son was impressed that the hero was an enviably computer-savvy boy about his age, who had amazing adventures, overcame long odds, and practiced the Golden Rule; we appreciated that character and ethical choices drove the action in this book, and that the value of curiosity, empathy, and communication informed both the conflict and the resolution. Our son also likes that we can visit the Orbis online interactive game while we wait for the next Orbis novel.

The basic plot is this: A handful of orphaned preteen Earthlings are thrust suddenly into working life on Orbis 1, a world where--contrary to the children's expectations--strange aliens and sinister machinery "welcome" them grudgingly, making them indentured servants who are expected to work off their dead parents' debts. Orbis is an ancient and tightly controlled place, consisting of four giant rings built to stabilize a powerful wormhole. All Johnny Turnbull (JT), his sister, and their friends know, however, is that the ship's computer, "Mother" did not prepare them for the hostile social conditions they face in their new "home." Then again, they soon find that on Orbis, cause-and-effect relationships are complicated, things are not always what they seem at first glance, and it's very difficult to know whom to trust.

The children's arrival and presence on Orbis 1 is complicated by the discovery that JT has the rare ability to communicate with any computer simply by being in the general vicinity; in fact, he can actually enter into the machine's data. He's the "Softwire" in the book's title and the only human in history to have this ability. Theylor, a "Keeper" of Orbis and JT's mentor, tells him that human softwires weren't expected to evolve for another 2 million years. JT finds his gift double-edged and soon discovers that everything rides on his choices and willingness to take action. In fact, ultimately, JT's actions determine Orbis's fate.

It's interesting how much of the plot is driven by misplaced trust in fallible machines. The children's parents die in their sleep, orphaning the children before they are hatched; the ship's central computer ("Mother") goes offline suddenly upon arrival at Orbis 1, cutting off all connection to context or explanations; Orbis's central computer malfunctions with increasing frequency after the children arrive, jeopardizing everyone's future there; and the Softwire (JT) accesses "restricted" files, which causes suspicion and finger-pointing that fosters even more civil unrest. Ironically, it's a virus-like being within the computer that helps JT get Orbis out of trouble. Despite the futuristic setting, it is JT's human, nonmachine qualities (desire to communicate with others, maintaining relationships, garnering trust) that are the critical and redemptive catalysts for "good." As readers, we found ourselves caring about both the characters and the outcomes in this book. What's more, it seems a thought-provoking exploration of motives.

The Softwire is a book that explores the human need to connect and communicate with others, our tendency to seek the familiar, protect what's important to us, and make "home" more of an idea and community network rather than simply a place. This book leaves us curious about future adventures on Orbis--there are hints at sequels addressing the other three rings of Orbis, but right now we're just keeping current with the online interactive game."



"The story is set in outer space where our main characters who are human 'Softwires' Johnny Tumhull and Ketheria, his sister are made to work as 'knud-niks' on the Ring of Orbis, afler being orphaned. Johnny discovers he is able to enter any computer through his mind which opens al! sorts of opportunities for him. However, when computer problems occur on Orbis, Johnny has the finger of blame pointed right at him. This starts a confrontation with the rulers of Orbis who want to kill him. Johnny has to convince the rulers that there is a virus in their computer system before they destroy him and his world.

The Softwire is a fast pace, science fiction novel that would capture the imagination of those readers interested in outer space and the computer world. It does help if the reader is up with cyber world lingo hut no doubt there are many readers aged 12 to 18 years who would enjoy this cyber fueled adventure story."

Betrayal on Orbis 2 reviews


"A sequel to The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 (Candlewick, 2006). Johnny Turnbull, 14, is a "softwire" who can use his mind to communicate with any computer. He and fellow "knud-niks," who were enslaved to alien Guarantors on the Rings of Orbis to pay off their parents' debts, are sent to Orbis 2 now that their duties on the first ring are complete. Here they encounter harsher conditions, crueler Guarantors, and a web of political intrigue centered around the harvest of valuable crystals. JT is the only one capable of communicating with the Samirans, the gigantic aquatic aliens who have been cooling the crystals for many rotations and are now showing signs of unrest. The story and mysteries are compelling but complicated, and a working knowledge of the first book's events and vocabulary is essential. The characters are recognizable types, but the actions are morally nuanced: in one of the most memorable scenes, cruel Odran puts ]T in charge of the other young human workers and forces him to punish Switzer, a bully, with an electric-shock device. Themes of family, political maneuvering, tension between races, and the desire to escape captivity are palpable throughout."



"In this disjointed sequel (The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1, 2006), Johnny and his young shipmates have new indentured positions in the alien community of Orbis feeding a pair of Samirans, massive whale-like creatures who are necessary for the financial well-being of Orbis. The Samirans, like Johnny and his friends, labor unwillingly in Orbis's corrupt economy. Only Johnny--who is more clever, sensitive, resourceful and empathetic than any of his companions--cares about the well-being of the Samirans, with whom only he can communicate. Meanwhile their employer, Odran, has been plotting intrigues with some less-than-honest Citizens of Orbis, and Johnny suspects that the Samirans will be the victims. Johnny will have to work this one alone: Nemesis Switzer would get the whole crew punished if he found out. Johnny's friends and sister serve primarily as set dressing, the prose is clunky and the plot illogical; these flaws notwithstanding, this volume's not a bad way to kill some time between stronger works."

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