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Reader Reviews | |
Review by Denise Gary (161207) Rating
(9/10) Review
by Denise Gary The main character is immediately appealing. In JT, the author has found the voice for all children struggling to deal with self-consciousness towards their unique qualities. Most children can identify with this, but especially kids who face challenges. For this reason, the book has a strong drawing power for youngsters who have difficulty reading. Just like the "hero" in the book, they usually feel less worthy. Further enhancing the appeal for reluctant readers is the fact that there are no long, drawn-out descriptions to drag the story down. The book gives enough information to spark the imagination, but does not overdo it. Rather, the action moves along at a fast clip from the outset, building and building to the exciting and surprising ending. The author has created Rings of Orbis, a free online videogame based on The Softwire book series, to grab the attention of those kids who would never pick up a book for recreation. Answers to questions in the game are found within the book, encouraging the players to read. What an innovative idea for improving literacy among children!
The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 is the perfect book to
give kids who could benefit from a strong protagonist who overcomes
adversity with grace and perseverance. And it's a fun read for
adults as well. Review
by Susanne 13 year old Johnny Turnbull, or short, JT, his younger sister Ketheria, and two hundred of other children grew up on a spaceship called Renaissance which is on its way to the Rings of Orbis. There are no adults on board, since they all died due to a technical accident. Upon arrival the kids have to find out that they will have to work as virtual slaves to repay their parent's debt for bringing them to Orbis. JT is identified as the first human Softwire, meaning he can enter a computer just with his mind. He is therefore both singled out by most of the other children, as well as feared by the majority of the citizens of Orbis 1. When the Central Computer on Orbis malfunctions, the officials blame JT. But in the end, his abilities prove to be vital for the survival of everyone on the Rings of Orbis. The Softwire: Virus on Orbis 1 is one of those rare books which both children and adults will love. The new world that PJ Haarsma created is complex but he does not go into lengthy technical descriptions. This leaves a lot of things up to the imagination of the reader. JT's
story quickly draws you in and the main characters are very believable.
The book is fast-paced and manages not only to keep that pace
but also offers some unexpected and thrilling twists in the end.
It touches upon a variety of topics like the importance of family,
coping with change and standing up for one's beliefs. Any child
or young adult will leave the characters wanting more. Review
by Debbie The Softwire: Virus On Orbis 1 is about a 13 year old boy named Johnny Turnbull, who was born on a spaceship with 200 other children. After their parents died in their sleepers, the children were born in two groups. The first group now 13 and a second group being 7. Johnny is the only one with a sibling. The children were raised by a computer they call Mother.
When they reach their destination on Orbis 1 they find out they
have to work to pay off their parent's debt for the trip there.
Johnny, who can enter a computer with his mind, just wants to
be a normal kid, but learns he is the only human with this ability.
He is called a Softwire. When the computer starts acting up Johnny
is blamed for it. He has to prove to the alien citizens that he
didn't do it, and in the process, finds out about someones plans
to take over control of Orbis 1. |
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